By Ishemunyoro Chingwere

The Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ), is pushing for location based pricing mechanism for chrome that will see the mineral going for different prices to encourage buyers’ appetite in less accessible areas.

Addressing stakeholders in the chrome mining sector at a stakeholders interface on Monday, MMCZ acting general manager Mr Masimba Chandavengerwa, said Zimbabwe sells its chrome, largely to China for between $240 to $250 per tonne.

Local chrome miners then receive $120 after factoring in logistics among them Ocean freight, insurance, port handling and railage.

To the Government marketer’s credit, the figure is higher than other international producers among them South Africa who are selling for $200 to $205 per tonne.

The challenge, however, is some buyers are turning down chrome from remote parts of the country for logistical reasons with the Northern Dyke the most affected as international buyers prefer chrome that is closer to the Durban exit port.

“What we would want looked at obviously is the regional differences in terms of logistics as they come up with prices. So obviously we would want a situation where we have different prices for different miners depending on their locality,” said Mr Chandavengerwa.

“Some miners because of their location find it difficult to attract buyers and we end up with product pile up in some areas so some of those things must be factored in when coming up with prices other than just looking at chromium content.

A representative of the miners, Mr Masango Mahlahla, who made a presentation on behalf of chrome miners, said in as much as miners in less convenient mines or in the northern dyke could feel hard done by the differences in pricing, it was unavoidable as it is the said reality of the industry.

Mr Mahlahla said such differences will allow all miners a chance to attract foreign buyers.

“These are things which are still in early discussions, but as miners the benefits of having regional pricing or location pricing means that the miner who is deep in the bush who normally would require additional cost by a buyer to reach them, can now have access to export or even domestic markets,” said Mr Mahlahla.

Meanwhile the MMCZ is confident of clocking one million tonnes of chrome ore sales for 2018 having managed to ship out just over 405 000 tonnes in the first half of the year according to Mr Chandavengerwa.

The post Mmcz Pushes Locational Chrome Pricing appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Zimbabwe’s top professional golfer Scott Vincent carded a final round two-under-par 70 to finish one shot behind winner Justin Harding at the Bank BRI Indonesia Open at the weekend.

The tournament was held at the Pondik Indah Golf Course.

Speaking to the Sunshine Tour, the 26-year-old, who is still searching for his maiden Asian Tour victory, admitted that the four bogeys he made on the sixth, ninth, 10th and 14th were the reasons why South African Harding got away with the title.

“It was frustrating to give away shots and I gave one too many here,” Vincent said about the bogeys.

“I played the par-fives very poorly.

“That is something that I’ll be thinking about a little longer. I was probably too aggressive then, especially when I was in the front seat.

“I still have got a lot to learn from this,” said Vincent.

Apart from dropping those shots, Vincent used the better part of the round making gains with three consecutive birdies on the second, third and fourth.

He made more birdies on the 13th, 15th and the last hole which gave him a total of 17-under-par 271 following rounds of 69, 66, 66 and the final round 70.

He came second at the 32nd Shinhan Donghae Open in 2016 and also at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters last year.

“I can’t be too disappointed with the result,” he said.

“I got off to a good start that put some pressure on him.

“At the end of the day, he came through when it mattered. More credit to him. I’m getting very close to winning for sure.

“I decided to play an iron on the 18th. I made a birdie in the end so I’m happy with that.”

He was also happy for the reception he received.

“The fans were great! I enjoyed the attention and I’m happy that the fans like me. I’m taking the next two weeks off and recharge for the busy next half of the season,” he said.

The post Vincent Shines in Indonesia appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Pakistan wrapped up the ODI series against Zimbabwe after a pathetic batting display by the hosts, managing a meagre 67 all out from 25.1 overs.

On a flat batting Queens Sports Club wicket, the Chevrons conspired to record one of their lowest totals ever with a disappointing display that only saw Chamunorwa Chibhabha’s 16, Hamilton and Wellington Masakadza’s 10 being the highest scores.

After having won the toss like in all other matches during this series, captain Hamilton Masakadza stuck with batting first.

Despite coach Lalchand Rajput having pointed to a good batting display as a must in this encounter, six of the batsmen got less than five runs, to set up what is the second lowest total by any side against Pakistan.

Man-of-the-match Faheem Ashraf was the mastermind of the Zimbabwean destruction after recording his career best, taking 5 wickets for 22 runs in 8.1 overs.

When Pakistan took to the crease, with a bouncer, Blessing Muzarabani struck with his very first ball taking the wicket of Imum Ul Haq for a duck.

Fakar Zaman and Babar Azam were ruthless with the bats for the visitors to take the series in just 51 minutes from 9.5 overs with 241 balls to spare.

Zaman scored 43 runs off 24 balls while Azam recorded 19 runs from 34.

Friday and Sunday will see the two sides squaring off in what will be dead rubbers as Pakistan has already won the five match series.

Cricket fans will feel hard done by the performance with the need for Zimbabwe Cricket to fix their impasse with senior players as a matter of urgency if the future of the sport is to be protected.

The post Pakistan wrap up ODI series appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

By Tadious Manyepo

Midfielder Raphael Manuvire is on the verge of joining Black Rhinos as the army side seek to finish the season strongly. The soldiers have gone on a 10-match unbeaten run, in a streak which has seen them winning five and drawing as many times.

Coach Herbert Maruwa maintains his team, with 29 points in 19 matches, are not yet safe from relegation.

Maruwa wants to reinforce his team in the current mid-season transfer period with, at least, three new faces expected at the side. And they have turned to Manuvire who walked out on Dynamos during the mid-season break after he was frustrated by the lack of game time at the Glamour Boys. The 29-year-old had agreed to join the side in principle last week and spend six days training with them. Club secretary-general, Camble Sithole, told The Herald yesterday that the parties were tying the loose ends.

“Manuvire (Raphael) has been training with us and we have been negotiating with him for the better part of that week.

“We are interested in his services and he is also willing to help us achieve our goals. We agreed to a contract in principle last week but what we needed to clear some patches before he could commit.

“At the moment, the coach wants the player, the player is also interested, we are most likely to conclude the deal by tomorrow.

“I am sure he will add value to our team.”

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By Mukudzei Chingwere

Yadah Stars captain Jimmy Dzingai has joined the trek north of the Zambezi after signing a two-year contract with Zambia’s Super Division club Power Dynamos.

Increased investment in the Zambian league in the past few seasons has been luring talented footballers from around the continent to that country.

Dzingai joins compatriots Devon Chafa, Nqobizitha Masuku, Patson Jaure and Tatenda Mukuruva who are at BuildCon.

Nelson Maziwisa of Kabwe Warriors and Zanaco’s Zimiseleni Moyo were also lured by the power of the Zambian league.

Former Dynamos and CAPS United midfielder Tafadzwa Rusike is also playing in that country.

Yadah consultant Wellington Mpandare confirmed that Dzingai, a Zimbabwe international defender hailed by national coach Sunday Chidzambwa as the best centreback in the domestic Premiership, has joined Power Dynamos.

“Jimmy has left Yadah, he has joined Zambian club Power Dynamos on a two-year contract. He actually joined them early this week.

“I was talking to him yesterday (Wednesday), he has arrived safely and he is now part of them.

“We wish him the very best in his future career,” said Mpandare.

Kaindu’s men are on sixth position, a point behind Maziwisa’s Kabwe Warriors and a distant 16 points behind leaders ZESCO United.

Power Dynamos have shipped in 18 league goals and Kaindu will be hoping the arrival of Dzingai will fortify his backline.

The post Dzingai Joins Zambian Team appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Jose Mourinho has indicated that Antonio Valencia will replace Michael Carrick as Manchester United captain this season.

Carrick hung up his boots at the end of last season after a 12-year playing career at Old Trafford, with the midfielder immediately promoted to a role on Mourinho’s coaching staff. That left right-back Valencia as the longest-serving player in United’s squad and after Mourinho’s men opened their pre-season campaign with a 1-1 draw against Mexican side Club America, the manager suggested that the armband will now go to the 32-year-old.

“The captain was Valencia last season, I think he’s going to be the captain,” Mourinho said. “And when he doesn’t play we have to make decisions.

“Depends on who is on the pitch, if (Chris) Smalling is, if Ashley Young is, if (Ander) Herrera is or (Juan) Mata is, if they are on the pitch they have an option. Matic has all the attributes to be Manchester United captain but he arrived only one year ago. But I never care much about the captaincy, I care more about the life in the dressing room and the leaders. The armband means what it means.”

Mata grabbed the equaliser for United in Phoenix, Arizona, in the first of five games in the US for Mourinho’s side. “It was a team with intensity and a team with quality that pushed us to levels that we are not prepared for. It was a good training session,” said Mourinho. –

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Cristiano Ronaldo stunned staff at a Greek resort by leaving a huge £17 850 tip after being impressed by their service while on holiday with his family.

After Portugal’s exit from the 2018 Soccer World Cup the 33-year-old headed to the Costa Navarino resort in the Pelopnnese region of Greece with family and friends. Reports suggest that Ronaldo gifted the staff of the resort with the mega tip as a thank you before heading to Turin for his unveiling as a Juventus player. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner asked hotel management to split the figure equally among all staff.

Ronaldo had been on holiday in the Mediterranean with his family following Portugal’s exit from the World Cup at the hands of Uruguay.

He posted pictures on Instagram of himself soaking up the sun with partner Georgina Rodriguez and his son, along with snaps sitting out for dinner with friends. He left to Italy in order to complete his £100million move to Serie A side Juventus, but not before making an incredible gesture.

Ronaldo was reportedly so impressed by the service he received that he could not leave without giving something back. The 33-year-old asked that the five-figure sum be shared among all staff in the resort.

The post Ronaldo’s huge tip appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

The Premier Soccer League have followed other public organisations and suspended the championship to allow their stakeholders to take part in harmonised elections without any distraction.

The league have suspended all the top-flight matches scheduled for next weekend.

The league matches will only resume in the first weekend of August.

Government has since declared July 30 a public holiday to ensure everyone has a chance to vote.

Yesterday, in a brief statement, PSL Communications and Media Liaison Officer, Kudzai Bare, also stated that political regalia will not be allowed during football matches.

“This serves to advise all football fans that political party regalia is not allowed at Castle Lager PSL matches.

“We urge all clubs, security officers and the Zimbabwe Republic Police to ensure that no fans wearing any form of political party regalia or clothing with political messages are granted access into the stadia.

“We further advise that there will be no PSL matches on the weekend of 28-29 July 2018. The Castle Lager PSL programme will resume on 4-5 August 2018,” wrote Bare.

Fixtures

Saturday: Harare City v Chapungu (Rufaro, 3pm, ZTV), Bulawayo Chiefs v Bulawayo City (Luveve), FC Platinum v CAPS United (Mandava), Black Rhinos v Yadah (National Sports Stadium), Nichrut v Shabanie (Ascot).

Sunday: Dynamos v Ngezi Platinum (Rufaro, 3pm, ZTV), Herentals v ZPC Kariba (National Sports Stadium), Triangle v Highlanders (Gibbo), Mutare City Rovers v Chicken Inn (Vengere).

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THE Unilever sponsored-Shield-Chelsea football talent search reaches its climax with the 35 shortlisted players getting into a week-long boot camp that started yesterday at Mandel Training Centre in Harare. The talent search will see one lucky Zimbabwean getting an opportunity of flying to London to train with Chelsea legends.

The camp is running until Friday and training will take place at Belgravia Sports Club under the guidance of former Warriors coach Calisto Pasuwa, ex-Highlanders mentor Cosmas “Tsano” Zulu, former Dynamos midfielder Naison Muchekela and former CAPS United player Alois Bunjira.

The opportunity comes from Shield’s partnership with Chelsea Football Club, which was established in 2017.
Shield brand manager Susan Luneta said the camp will be beneficial not only to the winner, but to all participants.
“The boot camp is an important phase of the #Bethenextchampion campaign.

“Not only is it about picking a representative from Zimbabwe for the Africa XI team, but it is also about inspiring confidence, hard work and teaching dedication to all the participants.
“This is the embodiment of Shield deodorant.

“We want all the players attending the boot camp to leave with the memorable experience of having gained valuable football skills that will take their football aspirations a step further as they continue to pursue their dreams.

“The camp will also teach the participants to be exemplary members of society as they interact with each other,” Luneta said.
The individual selected will get to train at the world-class training ground, Cobham, and get to play against Chelsea legends.

The local coaches will be joined by their counterparts from Chelsea later in the week as they are expected in the country on Tuesday.

They will conduct training sessions on July 25 and 26, and announce the winner from Zimbabwe who will join the Africa select team that will play with Chelsea legends in London.

Pasuwa said they have an intensive programme for the week-long camp that will help the players make the grade.
“This boot camp will be an intensive programme that will give the youngsters the training and skills they will need to impress the Chelsea delegation.

“We know they already have the talent, (so) this time it will be about building on their raw talents and counselling them on pursuing their goals,” said Pasuwa.

The Chelsea coaches’ delegation consists of head coach Laurence Griffin, Steve O’ Reilly and Freddie Myers.

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By Eddie Chikamhi

FORMER Young Warriors forward Munashe Kaseke, who has spent most of his fledgling career in Europe, could be closer to making his debut for Dynamos.

The unheralded 19-year-old is the only deal the Glamour Boys have done during the current transfer window, with negotiations to bring back players like Brett Amidu and Cameroonian Christian Epoupa still in progress.

Kaseke is a product of Friendly Academy who helped him move to Spain four years ago for stints with the academy teams of Espanyol and Malaga.

The youthful striker has been training with DeMbare for close to two months now and he appears to have impressed Lloyd Mutasa and his technical bench.

Dynamos team manager, Richard Chihoro, confirmed the giants have made progress with his paperwork.

“Kaseke is the only player that we have signed at the moment. Of course, you have heard about Epoupa and Brett, it’s something that I cannot comment at the moment since the issues are still administrative.

“They are being dealt with at a higher level,” said Chihoro.

The transfer window has been ominously quiet for the struggling giants who are desperate to turn things around in the second round of the campaign.

Mutasa said his men were ready to roar.

“We are doing well and basically we have a team that is really itching to go. The first game, when we came back from the break for the second round, we scored one and conceded one.

“In the second game we scored two and conceded two.

“So we are looking at all the areas, the defending aspect and the attacking aspect, but we are saying suppose we score plus-two goals, we should be able to win a game,” said Mutasa.

Dynamos are currently sitting on 10th place on the log standings with 22 points from 19 starts.

Mutasa said he was aware of the challenge on their hands, as Ngezi have dominated most of the meetings between the sides.

Skipper Ocean Mushure could be back in the team along with his deputy Marshal Machazane and goalkeeper Simba Chinani who have recovered from injuries.

“All the players are up and about and are ready to do duty for the team. Ocean is around, he is part of the mix and we will see how it goes.

“Otherwise, we are very confident. We have played them before and they beat us then and it’s not something that is new to us.

“We have gone there three times and we lost all the games, but I don’t remember them getting three points here,” said Mutasa.

The match will be broadcast live on ZTV and the Dynamos leadership have made a huge gamble by raising gate charges to $5 for the cheapest ticket.

DeMbare have, of late, struggled to attract big crowds because of their disappointing results.

The post Kaseke Eyes Dembare Debut appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

THE Young Warriors began the Cosafa Championship run on a disappointing note when they lost their opening group match 2-3 at the hands of Swaziland in Mauritius yesterday. Swaziland scored the winner four minutes before full-time. The Young Warriors duo of forward Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya and midfielder John Bonomali got a goal each in the 60th and 65th minute. Coach Tafadzwa Mashiri said their failure to deal with set pieces resulted in the Swaziland winner.

“A very shaky and jittery start caused us to lose the game as we conceded in the early stages of the game. But we managed to regroup with a good second half and, save for the poor defending of a set piece which saw us concede a goal in the last five minutes, we could have got something from the match,” he said.

Zimbabwe will on Monday meet neighbours Malawi, who humiliated them 5-0 at the same stage in last year’s tournament. “We need to win our second match against Malawi for us to remain in the game,” he said.

The Young Warriors round up their Group C campaign with a match against Angola on Wednesday. And Mashiri would want to avoid a repeat of last year which saw the team returning home without a victory from the group stages.

In another Group C match, Angola beat Malawi 1-0. In Group B action, South Africa and Lesotho shared the spoils in a goalless draw. Today, Group A will stage their second matches with Botswana seeking victory against Seychelles to reach the semis.

The Young Zebras stunned hosts and last year’s finalists Mauritius 1-0 on the opening day. Mauritius will play a buoyant Namibia who thrashed Seychelles 8-3 on the first day of action.

The post Young Warriors in losing start appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

By Mukudzei Chingwere

FC PLATINUM gaffer Norman Mapeza has challenged his charges not to be weighed down by their bad start in the second half of the Castle Lager Premiership season.

He wants them to bounce back to winning ways when they host CAPS United at Mandava tomorrow.

FC Platinum are still on top of the standings with a four-point advantage over second-placed Ngezi Platinum Stars.

The Zvishavane have collected just a single point in two matches since the resumption of the campaign from a mid-season break.

They first lost at home in over two years to ZPC Kariba before they shared the spoils against Yadah Stars in the capital.

But Mapeza said he knew beforehand that it would not be easy playing the return matches and has challenged his charges to focus on winning their matches.

“We have not started the second half of the season to our liking as a club, but we just need to go out there with a positive mind,” said Mapeza.

“We are still on course to achieve our end-of-season objectives so we just need to keep working hard.

“Football differs every season, yes, we have not been getting some positive results against CAPS United, but this is a new ball game.

“We do not have to think about the point difference between us and some other clubs and we just need to work on our games, let us not think about the points of other teams.

“We just need to win our games and then we see how the season progresses.”

Mapeza’s men lead coach Lloyd Chitembwe’s charges by 14 points.

The post Mapeza Psyches Up FC Platinum appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Brazilian superstar Neymar on Thursday sought to quash speculation about his future, insisting he planned to remain with French soccer giants Paris Saint-Germain.

“I’m staying, I’m staying in Paris, I have a contract,” Neymar told reporters at an auction to raise money for his charitable foundation in Sao Paulo.

Neymar, who became the world’s most expensive footballer last year after moving to PSG from Barcelona in a record €222 million deal, has repeatedly been linked to a move to Real Madrid.

The European champions have issued a series of statements in recent weeks denying they have an interest in signing the 26-year-old striker.

Speculation of a Neymar move to the Bernabeu has intensified in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo’s shock move to Juventus, a development that has left a vacancy at Madrid for an elite, superstar player.

“In the face of the constant reports linking PSG’s Neymar (Jnr) to our club, Real Madrid wish to clarify that the club has no intention of making any offer for the player,” a Real Madrid statement said last week.

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By Tadious Manyepo

AIRFORCE side Blue Swallows received a tonic that could boost their morale in the second half of the Ruyamuro Northern Region Division Soccer League after a Harare businessman, Gilbert Chiminya, donated kit and training equipment to the Manyame outfit.

Chiminya, through his company Setheo Engineering, on Tuesday began a relationship with Blue Swallows which he hopes will blossom.

He presented the kit at a function at Manyame Airbase.

“We are a growing business specialising in civil, telecommunications, mechanical among other things, but we saw it fit to partner Blue Swallows,” said Chiminya.

“The relationship is going to last for years to come and we just hope that the team delivers on the field of play.

“We are calling other businesses to give back to the community, especially in the field of sport, as we will stand a good chance of achieving greatness at international level if the athletes get motivation.”

Blue Swallows chairperson, Wilson Ngwenya, praised Chiminya and promised that his side will do well.

“We feel honoured to have received such a major boost at a time we are trying to move up the ladder,” said Ngwenya.

Swallows are trying to revive the glory days when they gave the Premiership a speedy forward named Jonah “Seke Express” Chigiwinya and midfielders Lee Chirimanzi, Joseph Chatima and Emmanuel Soche.

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MANY records were broken at the Queens Sports Club yesterday as Zimbabwe took on Pakistan in the fourth one-day international (ODI) cricket series, but sadly, the home side was at the receiving end with the tourists helping themselves to new landmarks against a battered and bruised side lacking any conviction and self-belief.

BY KEVIN MAPASURE IN BULAWAYO

This is one series the home side wants to get over with as quickly as possible, as Pakistan continue to sink them deeper into the abyss match after match.

Yesterday, it was a 244-run defeat. Before that, they suffered two nine-wicket defeats one after the other, having started off with a 201 run loss.

Each time one thinks it couldn’t get worse, Pakistan always up the ante, or rather, Zimbabwe find ways of making their previous performance a descent one.

Pakistan see this as a good opportunity to get themselves into the record books, facing a depleted Zimbabwe side that looks rugged, and yesterday, a number of records were set by the tourists.

Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq put on a new first wicket record of 304 runs.

Their partnership is also the highest partnership for any wicket for Pakistan, superceding the 263 runs by Inzamam-ul-Haq and Aamer Sohail against New Zealand way back in 1994.

Zaman and Imam became only the fourth pair across teams to put 300 runs for any wicket in ODIs.

Zaman became the first Pakistan player to score a double-century in ODIs and the sixth overall. The previous highest score for Pakistan was Saeed Anwar’s 194, against India in 1997.

His innings consisted of 24 fours and five sixes. Pakistan’s total of 399 is their highest team score in ODIs, going past the 385 runs they scored against Bangladesh in June 2010. This is only the fifth instance of any team, putting together a total in excess of 300, while losing only one wicket. There were a number of others smaller records that Pakistan helped themselves to as well.

For Zimbabwe, nothing went well from them, starting by losing the toss to field first and boy, the tourists batted.

Zimbabwe’s only success with the ball came through Wellington Masakadza, who had Imam-Ul-Haq caught by Tarisai Musakanda for 113 which came off 122 balls. Asif Ali helped himself to a quick unbeaten half century that consumed just 22 balls. Four Zimbabwe bowlers bowled 10 overs each and their pitiful numbers read; Brian Muzarabani 0/77, Donald Tiripano 0/85, Tendai Chisoro 0/56 and Wellington Masakadza 1/78.

Richard Ngarava bowled seven overs that were at the expense of 65 runs, while skipper Hamilton Masakadza was beaten for 29 in his three overs spell.

When Zimbabwe came out to bat, it was about seeing to what extent they would go in their bid to limit this damage.

They folded for 155 runs in 42.4 overs. Hamilton Masakadza had climbed up the ladder from number three to open the
batting after Chamu Chibhabha and Prince Masvaure had been dropped.

Masakadza hit 22 runs from 24 balls after losing his fellow opener Kamunhukamwe early, while Musakanda (10), Ryan Murray (5) and Peter Moor (20) didn’t really trouble the tourist bowlers.

Elton Chigumbura came in with a lot of pressure to prove himself and having worked hard to face 69 balls, he was trapped leg before by Faheem Ashraf for 37.

Donald Tiripano was the highest run scorer for Zimbabwe with 44 runs. Shadad Khan took four wickets, while Usman Khan and Faheem Ashraf had two each, with Junaid Khan and Shoaib Malik claiming one scalp apiece.

The two teams square off for the fifth and final match at the same venue tomorrow.

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HARARE CITY coach Mark Harrison has said that youngsters at the club will be given a chance to play in the first team, but only at the right time.

BY HENRY MHARA/TERRY MADYAUTA

The Sunshine Boys, bankrolled by the Harare City Council, have often been criticised for their big spending policy, but Harrison claims the time is coming when the team’s academy will begin to bear fruit.

The team’s supporters have also pressured the Briton to include more youngsters, having watched teenager Tatenda “Boss” Tumba lighting up the league this season.

The 19-year-old has been the outstanding player for his team this term, and is currently the favourite to win the Rookie of the Year award at the end of the season.

Harrison handed another teenager Tellmore “Kante” Pio his debut last week away at Bulawayo City, and the youngster did not disappoint, with a five-star performance, that helped tilt the match in favour of Harare City.

Asked if the youngsters will be given more responsibilities and opportunities in the team, on the back of Tumba and Kante’s performances, Harrison pleaded for patience.

“The youngsters are growing nicely, it’s a process. Many people think we can throw youngsters and expect them to play 15-20 games, it doesn’t work like that,” Harrison said.

“They need to be cultured properly, they need to be grown properly. They are little seeds and they need to be watered and the sun needs to shine on them so they can grow. They are doing that nicely. They are coming in and showing what they can do, and eventually, they will get their opportunities to play extended more time. They have to be prepared properly so they don’t disappoint themselves and everybody else. Our policy is working nicely,” he added.

City host Chapungu at Rufaro Stadium this afternoon, looking for their first win in three matches, after drawing their last two against Caps United and Harare City.

The good news in their camp is the return of midfielder Moses Muchenje who missed the trip to Bulawayo last week through injury.

Meanwhile, Nichrut will host troubled Shabanie Mine at Ascot Stadium today in a battle of strugglers, as both sides seek to reignite their hopes of surviving relegation.

Both Nichrut and Shabanie are embroiled in the fight for survival, having amassed 16 and 15 points, respectively.

Their reverse fixture resulted in a share of spoils following a 2-2 draw at Maglas Stadium.

Nichrut are coming into the match with their confidence rock bottom after they were drubbed 4-0 by Chicken Inn, while the Chinda Boys managed to salvage a point against Dynamos in a 2-2 draw, despite struggling to assemble a squad for that match.

Things have barely improved in their camp due to financial problems, and they are expected to travel to Gweru with a hugely depleted side.

Nichrut coach John Nyikadzino does not have empathy for the Zvishavane-based side, and wants to compound their woes this afternoon.

“Last week, we lost to a better side, but this one is a different ball game altogether,” Nyikadzino said.

“We are going to win this game at all costs and I know that the few additions we have made to the squad will make a difference. We have played over half of the games, and the results might not be so much to our liking, but I know for sure, we won’t be relegated. The battle is still on. We will use home advantage. They might be struggling, but we are looking expecting tough battle because they are also vying for survival.”

The two teams are among the worst performers in the league, with Shabanie lying second from the bottom on the log with 15 points, while Nichrut sit on the relegation cut-off point on 15th position with 16 points.

Both teams have picked just three points in their last five matches

The post Harrison to give youngsters a chance appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

IT was perhaps disappointing that such a fabulous match had to be settled by a prosaic header.

BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
DYNAMOS……..……. (0) 0
Ngezi Platinum……..(1) 1

Godknows Murwira and Michael Charamba were the architects and right-back Kelvin Bulaji the executioner.

Murwira curled a brilliant freekick in added minutes of the first half which drew a fine save from goalkeeper Simbarashe Chinani to go out for a corner kick.

Charamba then delivered a wonderful curling effort in the danger zone and an alert Bulaji rose unchallenged to plant a firm header into the nets to silence the Dynamos faithful.

The win by Ngezi became the first for the Mhondoro-based side against Dynamos in Harare since they won promotion into the top-flight league.

With log leaders, FC Platinum, having stuttered to a goalless draw against Caps United at Mandava Stadium, Tonderai Ndiraya’s men were the major beneficiaries of that stumble as they closed the gap between them and the log leaders to just two points.

For a team that had lost four matches on the trot before last week’s victory over Triangle, this was a welcome result for Ngezi.

Yet it was Dynamos who had been dominant as they took the game to their opponents with some fine raids.

Gift Saunyama missed an opportunity three minutes into the match, shooting tamely at goalkeeper Nelson Chadya.

The home team had goalkeeper Chinani to thank after he denied Murwira with a classy stop following a long range thunderous shot.

In the second half, Dynamos regained control in the second half, with Ngezi seemingly on the back foot.

The Glamour Boys threatened with some dangerous raids, but were denied by some stoic defending from Ngezi.

Ndiraya was pleased with the victory, but said he was not happy with the way his charges had applied themselves.

“I am satisfied by the result, but not the performance. We lacked the fluidity that we are known for, but in the end what is important is the three points. We have covered some ground in reducing the gap between us and the log leaders.

We had gone for a four-game losing streak before our victory over Triangle and to win against Dynamos for the first time in Harare is satisfying. Last year, we thought we had won the match, but we lost it,” Ndiraya said.
Dynamos coach Lloyd Mutasa blamed his lads for the defeat.

“We conceded what I think was a simple goal from a corner kick, head level and we allowed our opponents to take it, that was the difference. But I still think we can achieve our objective. We set ourselves a target to be the best team in the league in the second half of the season. We have played three matches and there are still 14 to go and we will fight for the three points,” he said.

Teams

Dynamos: S Chinani, P Dube, P Makaha, M Machazane, (J Tigere 72’), G Mukambi, B Moyo, G Saunyama, C Kapupurika,( T Macheke 74’), E Mandiranga, M Mukumba, V Kadonzvo (W Mutasa 72’)

Ngezi Platinum: N Chadya, T Chipunza, L Chakoroma, K Bulaji, M Mushonga, S Owusu (C Augusto 72’), W Mukanga (X Moyo 77’), M Charamba (J Ngulube 90’), T Mabvura, F Mukarati, G Murwira

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NORTH CAROLINA. — Jurgen Klopp has defended Liverpool’s transfer spending after signing goalkeeper Alisson for a world-record £67m. Klopp also “doesn’t care” about allegations of hypocrisy over his transfer spending.

Two years ago, when Manchester United paid around £90m for Paul Pogba, the Liverpool manager insisted he would quit football if huge transfer fees became the norm.

Speaking before Liverpool’s opening International Champions Cup match against Borussia Dortmund in North Carolina yesterday, Klopp said spending at the top end of the transfer market had moved on.

“We don’t care what the world around us is thinking,” Klopp said. “Like Manchester United didn’t care what I said.” The German added: “It is only an opinion in that moment. Did I change my opinion? Yes.

That is true. But it is better to change your opinion than never have one.
“We have the players we want. I’ll do whatever it takes to make Liverpool successful. — Sky Sports.

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LEGENDARY boxer, Langton “Schoolboy” Tinago was yesterday laid to rest at the Midlands Provincial Heroes’ Acre in Gweru.

BY TERRY MADYAUTA

Tinago became the first Sportsperson in Zimbabwe to be conferred with a hero status in recognition of his benchmark achievements.

The three-time Commonwealth welterweight champion was given a befitting send-off by multitudes that include the Gweru community, former boxers and government officials.

Tinago won three Sportsperson of the Year awards, a feat which only Kirsty Coventry has neared in recent times.
Speaker after speaker yesterday described Tinago as the greatest and astute boxer Zimbabwe has ever had.

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Carnoustie. — Francesco Molinari became the first Italian to win a major, holding off a pack of star names to claim The Open Championship at Carnoustie yesterday. Molinari (35) produced a faultless final round to shoot a two-under 69 in windy conditions on the Scottish links.

He finished two ahead of four players, including home favourites Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy, tied on six under.
Tiger Woods finished five under after leading midway through the round, with Jordan Spieth on four under.

Molinari emerged from a six-way tie for the lead, when all the players were either on the back nine or in the clubhouse, to lift the Claret Jug.

The Europe Ryder Cup player started the final day three shots adrift of overnight leaders Spieth, Kevin Kisner and Xander Schauffele, but maintained composure while his rivals all dropped shots in a thrilling battle for the lead. Molinari, ranked 15th in the world, had been tipped by a number of experts before the tournament as a player to watch at Carnoustie — and he proved them right with an assured display over the four days.

Despite a modest Open record, he had been backed on the strength of a fine few months which saw him claim the PGA Championship at Wentworth — his biggest win on the European Tour — and his maiden PGA Tour victory at the Quicken Loans Classic.

Steady opening rounds of 70 and 72 took him into the weekend, before a stunning 65 on Saturday propelled him into contention.

Molinari stressed the importance of making pars yesterday in an interview after his third round and fulfilled his target by beginning with 13 in succession in testing conditions.

That steady sequence was ended with a birdie on the par-five 14th, before a glorious approach on the 18th allowed him to convert another. Molinari looked anxious as he waited in the scorer’s cabin, watching nearest challenger Schauffele close his round before moving outside to the putting green when the American bogeyed the 17th. — BBC Sport.

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