Lovemore Zigara in Gweru
AMBITIOUS Zifa Central Soccer League (CSL) side Nichrut intensify their season preparations when they take on Premiership side ZPC Kariba at Peak Mine Stadium tomorrow.

Nichrut coach John Nyikadzino said they will use the friendly match to gauge the players’ level of preparedness ahead of the CSL season which is set to kick off next month.

“We are going to use the ZPC Kariba game to gauge our level of preparedness ahead of the new season. We have been working hard so that we achieve our objective of the season which is to end the year in the top four,” Nyikadzino said. The Shurugwi-based outfit played to a 2-2 draw against Dynamos in February.

Nichrut promises to be the team to beat this season in the CSL after the club president Nicholas Gara gave Nyikadzino an open cheque to sign players of his choice.

Nyikadzino has obliged by bringing an array of players who have Premiership experience, which makes them pre-season favourites.

Some of the players who have trekked to the Shurugwi outfit  include the former Hwange duo of Farai Vimisai and David Boriwondo, Agrippa Peperere and Simon Maengeni who did duty with Chapungu last season, former Dynamos and Tripple B forward Aleck Marime and Farai Mususunye who was with Border Strikers last season.

Former Caps United left back Asani Nhongo, Vimbai Madamombe and Khamalongosh Chidzero who were with Whawha in 2015 as well as ex-FC Platinum and MSU midfielder Bastos Chihowa  are also at Nichrut.

— @lavuzigara1

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Sharuko on Saturday
IT might have taken us about two decades, but like true Warriors, we never lost hope and bided our time knowing that one fine day we would inflict revenge and embarrass a football emperor just when he was pleading for a retirement package wrapped in both decency and glittering golden ribbons.

It could have taken us close to 20 years, but when we finally hit back, for the pain and embarrassment we have carried as a nation since the turn of the millennium, it triggered a tsunami that swept away a dinosaur which believed it was the be-all-and-end-all of our football jungles.

It might have taken us a generation, but when we finally fired back, after years of being taken as hopeless cowards of the county not brave enough to even frighten, let alone harm a church mouse, we chose the biggest stage to stage a brazen coup that toppled an empire built over a quarter-of-century.

It could have taken us what looked like an eternity, but when we finally fought back, and launched our spectacular counter-attack against a Goliath that had trampled upon our freedoms with sickening disdain, the ferocity of our punches were felt around the world and downed an Indomitable Lion they said would never fall.

And, that we chose the spiritual home of Africa — the very Ethiopian city where our political fathers first met on May 1963, to form the Organisation of African Union before returning on May 26, 2001 to establish the African Union — to deliver our knockout blow could not have more appropriate.

Some have said it’s the biggest knockout punch ever delivered on African soil since a resilient Muhammad Ali weathered a seven-round pounding from the beast that was George Foreman and then, in the eighth round, somehow found a way to send the then undefeated world champion crashing onto the canvas in the Rumble in the Jungle in Kinshasa in 1974.

Others have equated it to those two unforgettable days in African football when our continental representatives punched above their weight to shock the globe with Cameroon defeating defending World Champions Argentina at Italia ’90 and Senegal beating World and European champions France at the 2002 World Cup finals.

Either way, it felt very good.

And that Cyclone Ahmad, which developed as a mere tropical storm off the coast of Madagascar on the Indian Ocean before turning into a hurricane, after it gained a lot of strength in Harare after sucking in the boundless electric energy of Captain Fiasco en-route to causing extensive destruction in the boardrooms of African football power in Addis Ababa on Thursday, originated on our shores, made it even more satisfying.

The English say those who laugh last always laugh the longest.

And, finally, having the privilege to watch an emperor without the clothes that used to fool him he was the greatest thing ever to happen to African football, without the power he used to wield indiscriminately and the authority he used to abuse with reckless abandon to further his interests, without the aura of invincibility he used to cast over our continent, reduced to just an ordinary man, just like you and me, was a spectacle to behold.

It was easy, in his hour of a shattering defeat, to feel sorry for him — betrayed by those hangers-on who had transformed him into this monster who believed nothing could shake him, being consumed by that sinking feeling of failure he never believed would ever be part of his indomitable soul and being devoured by the emotions of an implosion he never imagined would be part of the story of a life he has led as the untouchable football emperor.

After all, he had somehow survived the earthquake that shattered the dynasty of Sepp Blatter and destroyed the public career of Michel Platini, even being promoted to the long-cherished role of being the acting boss of world football, a dream he had pursued with vigour since the first day he became the leader of the game in Africa, casting himself as the one island endowed with virtues of morality in an ocean corrupted by the vices of immorality.

Andrew Jennings, the investigative British journalist who has dedicated his life to bringing down FIFA’s web of corruption, and whose work formed the basis on which Blatter was dethroned, tried to shake Hayatou in November 2010 when, in a Panorama programme on BBC, he claimed the Cameroonian had taken bribes in the sale of television rights for the FIFA World Cup.

The Sunday Times of Britain also tried to shake him by publishing claims from a whistle-blower that he had, along with a fellow CAF executive member, accepted $1,5 million from Qatar to support the Gulf state in its successful bid to host the 2022 World Cup.

But Hayatou survived all those storms, one way or the other, while others around him were being swept away by the tide, and when he was the last man standing, promoted to be the FIFA acting president on October 8, 2015, in the wake of Blatter’s spectacular fall from grace, he really believed the coast had been cleared for him to live his dream.

Everything else, including his shameless treatment of us as second-class citizens in an African football family that was a new millennium football version of Animal Farm, where all Africans were equal, but some Africans were more equal than others, a sporting version of apartheid where the west of the continent represented purity and we represented garbage, didn’t matter now.

He was untouchable, the anointed one, and his hangers-on told us, repeatedly, touch not the anointed one.

That is, until, Cycle Ahmad struck on Thursday.

YOU DON’T MESS WITH US

AND GET AWAY WITH IT

There is something about us, as Zimbabweans, that is simply unique — the most educated people Africa has ever seen, and will ever see, the most resilient nation that the world has ever seen, or will ever see, a people who have lived under the yoke of sanctions, but refuse to fall, a nation that was driven to the gates of hell by the worst hyper-inflation to hit a country since Nazi Germany during World War II, but still found a way back to earth.

A nation whose last rites have been read, again and again, whose scripts of eulogies have been written, again and again, but stubbornly refuses to die with the scavengers, which have been circling above us hoping to feast on our carcass when we eventually go to the ground, when the breathing stops and their party begins, ending up as the ones who have lost their numbers as they succumb to death before us.

A country of about just 15 million people that can provide the United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) with a visiting research fellow (jet propulsion lab) in Arthur Mutambara, the world’s third largest mining company, Lonmin, with its chief executive in Ben Magara, Emirates with its black African captain of the double-decker Airbus A380, the biggest and most sophisticated passenger plane in service in the world today in Captain Matambanadzo Chakorera.

A small landlocked African nation on the southern tip of the world which is blessed by the Lord to ensure that, when those who created the game of cricket, the English, wanted a coach to help them end 18 years of the ultimate pain inflicted by their biggest rivals in the Ashes showdown, it had to be a Zimbabwean, Duncan Fletcher, who would engineer that triumph over Australia in September 2005.

Show me a smaller African nation that has given the world a number one in golf, with three Majors to his credit, a European Cup winner in football, a serial winner of the English league championship, a world number one diver, a leading world number one swimmer and a mobile telecommunications entrepreneur and has the best climate in the world you can play cricket in winter, then I will start a campaign for Hayatou to come back as CAF president.

And, when the Cameroonian strongman picked up a fight with us by taking away our rights to host the 2000 Nations Cup finals, by turning a blind eye at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in 1998, when Dynamos skipper Memory Mucherahowa was being butted into unconsciousness by that Ivorian mob so that he couldn’t play in his club’s biggest match; and by not being there for us, as the senior FIFA vice-president, when we were expelled from the 2018 World Cup qualifiers on flimsy grounds, he probably under-estimated our capacity to fight back.

He probably made the fatal mistake of looking at the size of the dog in the fight, as his measurement to bully us, rather than the size of the fight in the dog.

And, on Thursday, in Addis Ababa, we made Hayatou pay for the sins of his years of treating us as his slaves as that movement, which started here in Harare, swept him away in a blaze of humiliation from a position he believed was his for life, from a role he believed he was anointed to have, from a job he badly loved.

Every vote that helped sweep him away from the geography of African football, into its history books, had a tag which read “Made in Harare”, and every blow he suffered on Thursday afternoon was our little but decisive revenge for the suffering that Memory endured that day in Abidjan, for the way DeMbare were not given a playing field that wasn’t level in the biggest match of their history that afternoon in Cote dÍvoire, for the way Highlanders were conned by that Cameroonian club, Sable de Batie, who — using hook and crook — were allowed to overturn a 0-3 first leg deficit from Bulawayo in the Champions League in 2000.

For the way the Mighty Warriors were conned of a goal that could have changed their campaign last year, while Hayatou ignored it all, for Khama Billiat — who was robbed of his prize as the best footballer based in Africa because of Hayatou’s machinations, for CAPS United, whose dream he tried to destroy, using them as pawns in a chess battle, by bringing referees we know are embedded with TP Mazembe.

For not being there for us, when we were expelled from the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, for the horror our brothers across the Limpopo suffered in Lubumbashi in 2013 which Hayatou ignored, for all the diabolical refereeing decisions that have gone against us and for always making us play away from home in the final decisive matches.

It might have taken us more than two decades but we are Warriors, we never forget those who mess up with us and, as Hayatou probably knows now, as he settles into a retirement where the skeletons in the CAF cupboard — which his iron grip on the game on the continent had helped conceal will start tumbling down one after the other — he made a fundamental error of judgment to believe we are pussycats.

A movement, which started in our capital, toppled his dynasty and let him now face the music as the band plays on.

HAYATOU’S HIDDEN HAND IN BRINGING MAZEMBE REFEREES TO HARARE

Of course, we expected that our exclusive article about CAF’s shadowy plot to influence the outcome of tomorrow’s Champions League showdown between CAPS United and TP Mazembe by, somehow against all reason, appointing a referee with a history of favouring the Congolese giants would not be universally accepted in a country where club football divides, rather than, unites us.

There are many in this country who will celebrate should CAPS United fail tomorrow, because it nurses their inflated egos or because the Green Machine represent such an enemy they cannot bear to see it succeed, on any front and — given a choice — Mazembe are a better devil to them.

It’s the way football is, and we aren’t alone in this because even in Dar-es-Salaam last weekend, the Simba SC supporters were supporting Zanaco in the Zambians’ Champions League tie against their rivals Young Africans and, to some Arsenal fans, Spurs represent evil while Liverpool and Manchester United fans will never, ever, find common ground.

But we are guided by national interests and, for us, what matters are not the petty inter-club rivalries but what enhances the profile of our country and that’s why we were hurt when Dynamos were robbed in Abidjan by Hayatou, we were horrified when Bosso were robbed in Cameroon by this man and his empire and why we had to expose the controversy related to how a referee, known for favouring Mazembe, can be appointed to handle tomorrow’s big game.

For all the shenanigans, we stand by our ambassadors and we say fear not Kepekepe because if you managed to stand the heat in Lubumbashi what can stop you from doing well at home and, after all, didn’t they say Hayatou can’t be defeated, but we downed him, didn’t they say Leicester City didn’t stand a chance in the Champions League but look where the Foxes are today.

There will always be a number of doubting Thomases in our world, it’s the way life is, and even the children of Israel doubted that Moses was taking them to the Promised Land as instructed by the Lord leading Pastor Charles Charamba to pen that classic song, about Moses and not their Moise as in Katumbi, which I will recreate today for my doubting Green Machine countrymen and women.

‘Lloyd, Lloyd, Lloyd weeee

Lloyd, Loyd, Lloyd weeee

Lloyd, Lloyd, Lloyd weeee

Tidzorere Egypt ku Highfield kwatakakurira

Zvakavatambudza vana veMakepekepe

Panhandare hombe vakatanga kuchema

Chiona Lloyd wazotiparira zvino

Tidzorere Egypt kwatakakurira

Sundowns mberi kwedu, Mazembe shure kwedu

Tidzorere Egypt kwawakatitora

Isusu zvaive nani dai watirega

Tichigara zvedu savaranda ku Egypt

Mumwe ne mumwe akatsutsumwa nazvo

Handizvo Lloyd zvawanga wavimbisa izvi

Isisu zvaive nanidai watirega

Tichigara zvedu savaranda ku Egypt

Mumwe ne mumwe akatsutsumwa nazvo

Ndodzoka Egypt uko kwandakabva

Ndozvipirawo zvangu kufira muuranda

Pane kufira pano panhandare iwe Lloyd

Zvakafanana izvi, inga zvakafana

Kurarama zvedu tirimuhunhapwa

Pane kuparara muhondo yenhabvu iyi

Tidzorere Egypt kwatakakurira

Lloyd akati kwavari, shiiii, nyararai zvenyu

Nyararai zvenyu vana veMakepekepe

Idzi mhandu dzeMazembe dzinokunetsai

Dzichaparara hamuchadzione rimwe zuva

Imi ndinoti kwamuri, shiiiii, vadikanwi hama

Nyararai zvenyu vana venyika yedu yeZimbabwe

Ndisu vaye vokudonhedza uye waizviti nyanzvi anonzi Hayatou

Mazembe mhandu dzenhabvu dzichaparara hamuchadzione rimwe zuva’

And, with that faith, the Warriors of Zimbabwe dethroned Hayatou and the Green Machine, just like the Israelites at the Red Sea, passed the Mazembe test and lived to fight another day in the CAF Champions League.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

Come on CAPS United!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rooneyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy (pity he isn’t playing)

Text Feedback – 07192545199 (I migrated to OneFusion)

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Email – robsharuko@gmail.com

Skype – sharuko58

Chat with me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter @Chakariboy, interact with me on Viber or read my material in The Southern Times or on www.sportszone.co.zw. The authoritative ZBC weekly television football magazine programme, Game Plan, is back on air and you can interact with me and the legendary Charles “CNN” Mabika and producer Tich “Chief” Mushangwe every Monday evening.

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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
THERE will be some interesting sub-plots in this do-or-die encounter as Harare giants CAPS United aim to accomplish the impossible by kicking heavyweights TP Mazembe out of the CAF Champions League tournament tomorrow.

The game has come under the spotlight following revelations of well-orchestrated machinations to influence the result in favour of the wealthy visitors.

Mazembe coach Thierry Froger said they are expecting a difficult match in Zimbabwe following the frustration at home when Makepekepe forced them to a 1-1 draw in Lubumbashi.

He was full of confidence as he has all players available for the crucial tie, but exercised the luxury to leave behind some of his senior players like Tresor Mputu, Joel Kimwaki and Jean Kasusula.

The trio has been having problems with the new coach and last week they were surprisingly relegated to the bench in favour of youngsters like Arsene Zola and Kevin Mondeko who have also been included among the traveling 18.

The Frenchman said they will respect Makepekepe and is expecting another tough contest.

“It will be a difficult game, but we are here to qualify. We have to play better than the home game, but I think the home team will be more determined and more motivated. It will be a difficult game,” said Froger.

His opposite number Lloyd Chitembwe, who is nicknamed “The Frenchman” by his inner circle will be looking to outdo his rival and proving that money does not always buy success.

Chitembwe has valued the away goal they got in Lubumbashi and will be looking to build from there.

Although they miss one of their key players Ronald Chitiyo through suspension, the former midfielder has maintained that Makepekepe will be competitive.

He has many options, but Joel Ngodzo is likely to take up the playmaker’s role.

“I don’t want at this stage to dwell much into the details of the tactics, but it’s good we got an away goal, I think it’s good for the confidence, it’s good for the spirit. I think it’s just good for the confidence.

“One thing for sure is we know they will come at us and we won’t play differently from the way we have been playing. No one can play outside of what he is capable of doing so we will try to apply ourselves in the best way that we know we can get what we want out of this match.

“They (TP Mazembe) are a very good team and going into this game with a better idea of how they play I think we are in a good position to make the right kind of decisions based on what we know they can do,” said Chitembwe.

TP Mazembe squad

Ibrahim Mounkoro, Sylvain Gbohouo, Djos Issama, Kabaso Chongo, Yaw Frimpong, Salif Coulibaly, Kevin Mondeko, Arsene Zola, Christian Kouame, Daniel Adjei, Mika Miche, Solomon Asante, Ben Malango, Adama Traore, Deo Kanda, Meschak Elia, Given Singuluma, Rainford Kalaba (c)

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PLATINUM STARS . . . Ngezi Platinum vice-chairman Silence Gavi (right) speaks to the media in Harare yesterday in the company of club coach Tonderai Ndiraya (centre) and captain Partson Jaure

Paul Mundandi Sport Reporter
NGEZI Platinum coach Tonderayi Ndiraya is confident his team will come out with a positive result when they host Recreativo do Libolo of Angola at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon in the CAF Confederation Cup second leg match.

The match kicks off at 2pm.

The Zimbabweans trail their opponents 1-2.

Having been denied what they believed was a genuine goal in their first meeting in Luanda last weekend, Ngezi are focused and want nothing short of victory in today’s match.

A Donald Teguru strike was ruled off-side by Zambian referee Wellington Kaoma who was also accused of making a number of questionable decisions.

“We can’t do anything about last weekend’s result, but we want to assure the nation that we are focused and all we can do is control what will be happening on the pitch tomorrow (today).

“We were disturbed with the disallowed goal, but we have moved on. We want a result tomorrow (today) since the Angolans have the advantage in their hands.

“We are going to attack and we will not approach the match with a defensive mind. I am fielding offensive players. A 1-0 or 3-1 victory will suit us very well, but a 2-1 victory will see us going for the penalties.

“My players have a lot of enthusiasm, they have the energy and the hope of flying the national flag high. It might be a sad scenario that we are playing away from Mhondoro, but Zimbabwe is our home and we are comfortable.

“I am urging fans to rally behind us because we are in this together, We will not fail the nation and we do not want to disappoint Ngezi Platinum fans,” said Ndiraya,

His newly-appointed captain Partson “Yellow” Jaure, the most experienced player in the Ngezi outfit, was also very confident at the press briefing yesterday.

“We need a victory, I have been at Dynamos, the national team and even played in South Africa. We are ready for the encounter and all we need is a positive result, we are prepared.

“They might have pace, they might be organised, but for the past days we have been working so hard and everyone is raring to go, everyone is proud to be representing the country in this tournament,” said Jaure.

The Angolans thrive on set-pieces and this was shown when they scored a free-kick and from a corner kick in last weekend’s match.

It is something that Ndiraya’s men were working on at the National Sports Stadium on Thursday afternoon.

Ngezi need to avoid making mistakes and they will miss Byron Madzokere while Kevin Bulaji, who missed the first leg, will be back in action.

Liberty Chakoroma was on target in the preliminary against Pamplemousses of Mauritius and also scored in Angola.

The winners of this round will advance to the play-offs where they will be joined by the 16 losers of the Champions League first round ties.

The Zimbabwe representatives are favourites to go through despite being newcomers in the tournament.

Club Recreativo do Libolo might have reached the CAF Champions group stage in 2013, but Ndiraya has proved that he is maturing with age and can read the game very well.

Water Mukanga, Dominic Mukandi, Godknows Murwira, Washington Pakamisa and Qadr Amin are some of the experienced players who are expected to steer the team to victory this afternoon.

Ngezi have been appealing for support from the Harare football community.

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Lenience Tambwera

Mehluli Sibanda Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE national sevens rugby team coach Gilbert Nyamutsamba has expressed satisfaction with the 12-man squad chosen for the inaugural two-day Kwesé Sports Victoria Falls Sevens which starts at Victoria Falls Primary School today.

The squad, led by South Africa-based Hilton Mudariki has four new faces — Wade Petzer, Brian Dube, Nelson Madida and Takudzwa Chiedza.

There is a return for veterans Gardner Nechironga and Scotty Jones who have not donned the Cheetahs jersey for a number of years.

Completing the list is Boyd Rouse, Lenience Tambwera, Mkhululi Ndlela, Stephan Hunduza and Lucky Sithole.

“I am happy with the final team selection, they have got a good combination of a few experienced players in the team in Stephan, Lenience and Gardner. I am happy that we have been able to identify a few players and to give them a chance to compete,’’ said Nyamutsamba.

He conceded that the absence of some of the regulars will affect the team, but at the same time backed those who have been selected to do the job.

Some of the notable absentees for this tournament are Biselele Tshamala, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Shayne Makombe, Njabulo Ndlovu and Riaan O’Neill.

“The absence of the more seasoned and senior players is going to affect the way we perform, but I am confident that the guys that we are giving a chance and the players we are going to be looking at are going to play their best as they are being given a chance to actually compete for positions,’’ said Nyamutsamba.

The team travelled to Victoria Falls on Tuesday where the players started fine-tuning on Wednesday morning before the final squad was named on Thursday evening.

Nyamutsamba depicted the sessions in the resort town as being hard because of the high temperatures.

He is, however, convinced that the team would be used to the weather when the tournament gets underway.

“Our training sessions have been quite challenging, we found Victoria Falls to be very hot and we had to train in hot sun, but come game day we would have adjusted and acclimatised, but yes it is going to be a difficult tournament, but I am sure our main objective of player identification is going to be achieved,’’ said Nyamutsamba.

Skipper Mudariki said he felt honoured to lead the team in a home tournament with the aim of being champions.

He expressed confidence in the game plan that has been laid out by the coach and were eagerly anticipating the start of the tournament.

“It’s firstly an honour to be given the captaincy for a home tournament and I am looking forward to leading an exciting team. Our goal as players is to win this tournament, it’s a fantastic opportunity for us to see where we are and where we can improve before the World Cup qualifiers.

“We want to go out and put in a good performance. We are confident in the game plan the coach has set out for us it’s just up to us to go out and execute it. We are really looking forward to this weekend,’’ said Mudariki.

The Cheetahs have been drawn in Group A where they will play against Namibia, Botswana and Zambia A. Zambia, Goshawks, Botswana A and Zimbabwe President’s VII make up Group B.

Zimbabwe are fielding three sides in the eight-team tournament which was necessitated by the withdrawal of Sierra Leone.

Veteran Wesley Mbanje, who had been assisting youngsters, has been drafted into the President’s VII as a player.

Cheetahs squad: Hilton Mudariki(captain) Wade Petzer, Takudzwa Chiedza, Lucky Sithole, Nelson Madida, Scotty Jones, Gardner Nechironga, Lenience Tambwera, Stephan Hunduza, Brian Dube, Mkhululi Ndlela, Boyd Rouse.

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The Zimbabwe senior netball team booked a place in the final of the Hong Kong Tri-nations series after recording a second successive win on Friday.

Zimbabwe outclassed the hosts, Hong Kong, 46-30, at the Kowloon Park Sports Centre to continue their impressive from in the ongoing tournament.

The Gems started their campaign with a 52-28 victory over Malaysia on Thursday and are now clear favorites to win the tournament.

Zimbabwe will play the winner between Hong Kong and Malaysia, who play each other on Saturday, in the final slated for Sunday.

In the lead up to the final, the Gems will flex their muscles against a Hong Kong XI side on Saturday.

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Kayla Tapuwa Mngomba is a six-year-old girl at Haig Park Primary School in Mabelreign, Harare.

She took first position in the U7 girls category at the Zimbabwe Primary Schools Chess Association Championship held recently at Northlea High School in Bulawayo.

Mngomba’s triumph saw her making it into the Zimbabwe team that will participate in the African Schools Chess Championship in Namibia in August.

What she said:

“I play chess and I love it. I went to Bulawayo and won a gold medal. I was number one of the under seven girls in Zimbabwe.

“I am so happy that I won a gold medal and that I am in the Zimbabwe (schools) national team.

“In August I will be going to play chess in Namibia. I love chess so much thank you”.

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Mehluli Sibanda ZIMBABWE national sevens rugby team coach Gilbert Nyamutsamba has announced the 12-men Cheetahs squad for the inaugural two-day Kwese Sports Victoria Falls Sevens which starts at Victoria Falls Primary School on Saturday.

The squad, led by South Africa based Hilton Mudariki has four new faces, these being Wade Petzer, Brian Dube, Nelson Madida and Takudzwa Chiedza.  There is a return for veterans Gardner Nechironga and Scotty Jones who have not donned the Cheetahs jersey for a number of years. Completing the list is Boyd Rouse, Lenience Tambwera, Mkhululi Ndlela, Stephan Hunduza and Lucky Sithole.

“I am happy with the final team selection, they have got a good combination of a few experienced players in the team in Stephan, Lenience and Gardner. I am happy that we have been able to identify a few players and to give them a chance to compete. The absence of the more seasoned and senior players is going to affect the way we perform but I am confident that the guys that we are giving a chance and the players we are going to be looking at are going to play their best as they are being given a chance to actually compete for positions,’’ said Nyamutsamba.

The team moved to Victoria Falls on Tuesday where the players started training on Wednesday morning prior to the final squad being announced on Thursday evening. Nyamutsamba described the sessions in the resort town as being tough because of the high temperatures.

He is however confident that the team would have gotten used to the weather when the tournament starts.

“Our training sessions have been quite challenging, we found Victoria Falls to be very hot and we had to train in hot sun but come game day we would have adjusted and acclimatized but yes it is going to be a difficult tournament but I am sure our main objective of player identification is going to be achieved,’’ said Nyamutsamba.

The Cheetahs have been drawn in Group A where they will play against Namibia, Botswana and Zambia A. Zambia, Goshawks, Botswana A and Zimbabwe President’s VII make up Group B. Zimbabwe are fielding three sides in the eight-team tournament which was necessitated by the withdrawal of Sierra Leone.

Cheetahs squad: Hilton Mudariki(captain) Wade Petzer, Takudzwa Chiedza, Lucky Sithole, Nelson Madida, Scotty Jones, Gardner Nechironga, Lenience Tambwera, Stephan Hunduza, Brian Dube, Mkhululi Ndlela, Boyd Rouse.

@Mdawini_29

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Zimbabwe top female martial artist Leann Max proved her worth again when she won all her three bouts at the recent Japanese Ambassador Judo Cup tournament at Hartmann House School.

The 18-year old Girls High School Advanced Level student won two of the fights by an Ippon, the highest technical point in judo which is equivalent to a knockout in boxing or wrestling, and the other by a Wazari which constitutes pinning the opponent down for 15 seconds.

The Japanese Ambassador Judo Cup is the first tournament of the year and was presided over by the Judo Association of Zimbabwe president Debbie Jeans with Syumon Yoshiara, Japan’s top diplomat to Zimbabwe, and Minister of Sport and Recreation Makhosini Hlongwane in attendance.

The two distinguished guests, alongside world-renowned swimming icon Kirsty Coventry – who is now a member of the International Athletes Commission – teamed up to present the black belt certificates at end of competition.

Max, the Girls High School games captain, drew no surprises with her outstanding performance as she was the highest-rated judoka going on the mat.

She already possesses a gold medal from the African Union Sports Council Region Five Games staged in Luanda, Angola last December and a silver from the preceding edition in Bulawayo in 2014.

Fighting in her 60+kg category, Max knocked out the pair of Peace Sithole and Yanai Manyenga before dismissing Shannon Chatsama after the umpire’s count of 15 seconds with the latter gasping for breath.

Despite her individual brilliance, Max went home with a silver medal after her team, Honour, finished second in the overall standings which were topped by the Respect outfit led by Tapiwa Pavari.

The other contesting teams Courage and Friendship ended third and fourth respectively.

Pavari, a national team pugilist, also won all his bouts in the 60kg division against Alfred Nago of Courage, Washington Chivamba of Honour and Brett Makunde from Friendship team.

The Respect team won six of their eight fights, only conceding Manyenga’s defeat to her schoolmate Max and Blessing Muparo’s loss to Moses Mutende of Honour who also conquered in all his three battles in the 73kg division, the other two against Alan Ganje and Waddie Mosaku.

Richard Walsh, weighing 81kg, was the other Respect team member to triumph over all his three opponents Innocent Jim, Blessing Ndonoka and Ben Mashayi.

Prince Edward multi-talented sportsman Ryan Nyirenda, who is also a rugby prop and a shot-putter, beat Newton Kwaramba by an ippon and further outclassed Justice Chokomari and Nigel Masunda in the heavyweight category to seal a celebratory day for Respect team.

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Ronald Chitiyo’s foolish decision to remove his shirt while celebrating his goal against FC Lioli in a CAF Champions League preliminary round second leg at the National Sports last month could haunt Caps United on Sunday.

Chitiyo – the most creative player at Caps United so far – will miss Sunday’s crunch first round second leg clash against TP Mazembe due to suspension.

He was needlessly booked against Lioli for removing his shirt and picked up another yellow against TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi last Sunday.

The match ended 1-1 and Chitiyo provided the assist for goal scorer Abbas Amidu.

CAF Champions rules and regulations state that if a player accumulates two yellow cards he misses the next match.

Although Caps United coach Lloyd Chitembwe played the absence of “Rooney”, the diminutive player’s influence at Makepekepe has been immense since joining from Harare City at the close of last year.

Chitembwe would definitely have needed the ball artistry of Chitiyo as Caps United are seeking an outright win against Mazembe on Sunday.

A goalless draw will also do for Makepekepe.

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ZIFA and COSAFA president Philip Chiyangwa has admitted his controversial birthday party which was graced by FIFA president Gianni Infantino and a handful fellow national football association heads was a platform to plot ousted CAF president Issa Hayatou’s defeat.

Chiyangwa put his head on the block last month by rallying the 14 nation COSAFA behind Madagascar football association chief Ahmad Ahmad’s candidature.

He became Ahmad’s campaign manager.

Chiyangwa went further to invite African heads of football associations to his high profile birthday party in Harare February which was also graced by FIFA secretary general Fatma Samba Diuf Samoura.

In that, the property tycoon ignored warnings by Hayatou’s executive not to convene a gathering that CAF suspected was meant to discuss African football matters.

Chamu Chiwanza, who headed the birthday party’s organising committee, told the media then that the bash was distant from any alleged gathering to plot Hayatou’s ouster.

But soon after his return from Ethiopia, the scene for Hayatou’s spectacular fall, Chiyangwa finally admitted it was during the party that the ouster plot was crafted.

“We were sitting there, the council for removing Hayatou is what you saw at the birthday party,” Chiyangwa said.

“Those were the architects that determined to remove him.

“I was holding 14 votes. I am the biggest confederation on the African continent, I am the biggest controlling unit and that is why I put the person there.”

Chiyangwa sounded relieved his gamble paid off, saying if it had not, Hayatou would have come down heavily on him.

“The victory that has been achieved so far was my own art, and that’s particular artistry is now what we find going forward.

“…The emperor would have come after me isn’t it. So because I have achieved this victory, it means I am liberated and I have liberated many people who saw this person as biased, inept and very difficult to work with.

“So I have totally silenced this guy. I challenged not only one person, but the entire executive.”

Ahmad won the CAF election by 34 votes against Hayatou’s 20 to end the Cameroonian’s 29 year reign on African football.

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CAPS UNITED have decided against tinkering with what appeared to work perfectly as they held TP Mazembe to a 1-all draw in a Caf Champions League first round, first leg clash in Lubumbashi last weekend.

The two teams get down to some unfinished business at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon with a place in the group stages of Africa’s blue riband club competition at stake.

Qualification for the group phase comes with a guaranteed $550 000 windfall and unlike their cash rich opponents Caps United badly need this dole.

There are likely to be only two changes to the Makepekepe set up.One of the changes is personnel related, Tafadzwa Rusike set to come in and fill the hole created by the suspension of playmaker Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo.

The other one has to do with working tools, goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda will wear a new pair of gloves after the ones he used in the first leg were thrown into the bin by club owner Farai Jere.

Sibanda wore worn out gloves in the first leg and there were suggestions that they might have played a part in the ninth minute howler that gifted TP Mazembe their equaliser.

Chitiyo is suspended having picked up a yellow card against Lioli for needlessly taking off his shirt – after a bit of a struggle – as he celebrated a goal and followed that up with another caution last weekend.

Whilst the yellow card against Lioli was needless, the one he picked away to Mazembe was for the team.

Chitiyo tripped his man as the home side was breaking away on the transition at a time when Makepekepe’s defensive lines were as disorganised as Donald Trump’s hair.

Although he didn’t give much away at his team’s Friday workout Chitembwe appeared to have decided on giving Rusike the number 10 role ahead of Joel Ngodzo.

Ngodzo, just like Chitiyo, is a ball player, one who could be argued to be better than Rusike.

However, the former Highlanders and FC Platinum is susceptible to being bullied out of the game.

On the flip side Rusike sticks out when the going gets rough and tough and put up a disciplined show when he replaced Phineas Bhamusi in the first leg.

Bhamusi, who is called Baba Tino in the Makepekepe dressing room, was not at his best at Stade TP Mazembe but still retains the confidence of Chitembwe.

Ronald Pfumbidzai has returned to fitness but is unlikely to immediately bounce back into the starting XI with Valentine Musarurwa set to get an extended run at left full back.Chitembwe certified his charges ready for what is probably the biggest Caps United match in history.

“I am satisfied with the way we have prepared and I can confidently say we are up for the task,” he said Friday.

This gigantic clash comes at a time when Makepekepe are remembering the passing on of the trio of Blessing Makunike, Shingirai Arlon and Gary Mashoko 13 years ago.

Current skipper Moses Muchenje was only 13 when tragedy struck but appreciates what this game means at such a time.

“I was around 12 when that tragedy hit Caps United and can remember very well how it touched the whole nation,” he said.

“Coincidentally, Caps United’s biggest ever game has come during the same week Yogo Yogo (Blessing Makunike), Gary Mashoko and Shingi Arlon died 13 years go.

“We have been talking about it and as the skipper I would want to play my heart out in their honour. As a team we should win this game against Mazembe and dedicate it to our fallen heroes.

“But, we can’t do it without the backing of our fans, they should come in numbers and make noise,” he said.

Caps United Probable Line Up

E Sibanda, H Zvirekwi, D Dauda, J Jangano, V Musarurwa, M Muchenje, D Chafa, T Rusike, P Bhamusi, S Nhivi, A Amidu

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CHEVRONS all-rounder Elton Chigumbura toasted his 31st birthday last Tuesday with a pledge to create lasting memories in the remaining years of his international cricket career.

The birthday comes as Chigumbura’s place in the cricket national team is increasingly under threat.

He was dropped from the team a couple of times amid concerns that the former captain was getting too comfortable and no longer pulling his weight at training.

However, another year added to life often means a bit more wisdom and Chigumbura sounded it as he revealed his refocused approach.

“I am working hard again,” he said. “I have realised it’s about working smart, it’s not just about ten hours per day, but what you need to work on and what you need to maintain.

I like to have my private time while training mentally and physically.”

A proven heavy hitter, Chigumbura appears tailor made for T20 and two weeks ago he made some good money after featuring in the Pakistan Super League for the Quetta Gladiators.

And after tasting the sweet rewards of the Pakistan Super League, Chigumbura has his eyes set on landing a lucrative Indian Premier League contract next year.

“It is my goal to play in the IPL, but the truth is I should do better to get recognition to play there.

I believe the ability is there. It’s a matter of playing more games and performing consistently with the right people watching,” he said.

Some analysts have suggested that Chigumbura should exclusively focus on T20 cricket but the former national team captain reckons he still has something to offer in the 50-over format as well.

“I think my natural play suits both formats, I like them both and I am still capable,” he said.

Chigumbura is Zimbabwe’s gun-for-hire for T20 leagues across the world having enjoyed stints in the Bangladesh, Dhaka, Caribbean and Champions leagues.

Last week he was called to be part of the Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League final after some foreign players pulled out due to security concerns.

“I wasn’t really shocked by this Pakistan call-up because I have represented them before and they have been talking to me before the finals. It was just a matter of the team qualifying for the final,” said Chigumbura.

Chigumbura, who made his international debut in April 2004, is the second best T20 Zimbabwean batsman after Hamilton Masakadza with 789 runs from 49 matches and a massive strike rate of 145,30.

Masakadza has 1413 runs from 50 matches and a strike rate of 119,74.

Having just turned 31 how many years of international cricket are left in Chigumbura?

“As long as I feel fit and think I can still make a difference by putting the team on another level I will still play. Obviously as a cricketer you want to keep improving and it’s the same with me, I want to do thing better,” he said.

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The days of muzzling opposition within the Confederation of African Football (Caf) might be over.

This is the story that dominated the continental football body; employing cronies, doing things behind the FA presidents and ruling by an iron fist.

Today, Africa looks back at Issa Hayatou’s 29-year-old reign with a huge sigh of relief after he was sensationally toppled at the Caf watershed elections in Ethiopia on Thursday.

And few saw this sucker punch, delivered on a man who had ruled African football for close to three decades with little if any challenge.

He lost 34 to 20 votes to newcomer Ahmad Ahmad of Madagascar in an election which will go down in the history of African football as one of the most astounding outcomes.

But Africa was tired and wanted change.

In his last ditch attempt to hang on to power, the 71-year-old Hayatou told delegates on Thursday in his last speech that Africa had overpowered colonialism and that Africa’s solutions lay with Africans.

This is a speech which was aimed at Fifa President Gianni Infantino whom Hayatou accused of subtly interfering in African affairs.

You can fool some but not all the time. Africa had grown tired of this old man running Caf as his personal fiefdom and when the results were announced, the rapturous applause that met the outcome told the story.

This was the end of an era and the dawn of a new one. Hayatou had been ousted and defeated in a very demeaning manner.

Yet this could be a lesson for all Africans who want to hang on to power for long. People must learn to pass on the baton and leave a memorable legacy and not to be hounded out of office.

But having said that, what are the moments that tilted the scales in favour of Ahmad?

The Cosafa Declaration that took Africa by surprise when they unequivocally declared that they would vote as a bloc in support of Ahmad was one masterstroke that set the wheels in motion.

While other regional powers were reluctant to nail their colours on the mask. One Philip Chiyangwa, the leader of Cosafa, led his group in making it known they wanted Hayatou out.

Chiyangwa then followed this up by inviting Fifa president Infantino to Harare for his so-called birthday party which was in essence a direct campaign against Hayatou.

Several African FA presidents, including those from South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Namibia, Liberia and Angola attended the gig which in real sense loosened Hayatou’s vice-grip rule on African football.

It is during the Harare meeting that Africa decided to give Hayatou his marching orders. The present presidents deliberated on various issues till the following morning and when they left Harare, the dye was cast.

A day before the elections in Ethiopia, Chiyangwa and company booked themselves in a separate hotel to that which was allocated by Caf as they zeroed in on their enemy.

It was on Wednesday evening that 35 FA presidents attended a meeting which but all toppled Hayatou from power.

Although rumours that went around were that Comoros president sold the team out to Hayatou by telling him all the details; it was a question of too little, too late.

Hayatou himself is said not to have taken the information seriously, believing he was still in control.

After the results were announced, the Cameroonian is said to have left for his hotel in anguish only allowing his wife to give interviews to the media.

Is this the legacy Hayatou wanted to leave behind?

He will now be remembered as a Caf president who wanted to hang on to power even when signs were clear that it was time to go.

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Douglas Sibanda

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
BIG Highlanders’ midfielder Douglas Sibanda has been loaned to neighbours Bulawayo City FC for the 2017 season.

Sibanda, who joined Bosso from Gwanda, has previously been loaned to Shabanie Mine and returned to the Bulawayo giants in 2014.

“Sibanda is no longer with us, he is on loan at Bulawayo City,” said Highlanders’ coach Erol Akbay.

He struggled to get game time with the coaches preferring Simon Munawa, Eric Mudzingwa or Tendai Ngulube. Even young Adrian Silla has had better game time than Sibanda, and with the club eyeing the league title this season, competition would have been stiffer.

Highlanders will this week officially unveil their 2017 squad ahead of the start of the league campaign early next month. The squad will also include Equatorial Guinea striker Manuel Esono Obiang Buale and Democratic Republic of Congo’s Tambwe Kalunga.

The two players are, however, yet to play any official match for Bosso as they await their work permits.

“Our squad is 90 percent finalised. We have 27 players and are leaving room for any last minute arrivals, especially if it’s an extremely talented player, otherwise we are done,” said Akbay.

Club secretary-general Emmett Ndlovu said there would be a special press conference this week to unveil the 2017 playing personnel.

“By next week (this week) we should be unveiling our squad, it’s ready that I can say,” said Ndlovu last week.

Also in the squad is former Dynamos forward Rodrick Mutuma, who made a sensational switch to the Bulawayo giants after his contract ran out at the Glamour Boys and decided against renewing it, contrary to public perception that he was offloaded.

The lanky, ginger haired striker has already won hearts of the hard to please Bosso fans with sterling performances in the two friendly games he has featured despite failing to find the back of the net in both. He will surely be a nightmare for many defenders if he gets enough supply of the ball from his teammates.

– @skhumoyo2000

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Caps United players and staff celebrate their triumph over TP Mazembe on the away goals rule to proceed to the group stages of the Caf Champions League

Eddie Chikamhi, Harare Bureau
Caps United  0 – 0  TP Mazembe

(1-1 on aggregate, Caps United win the tie 2-1 on the away goals rule)

LLOYD Chitembwe yesterday described his team as the greatest Caps United side ever after they rewrote the history books in style by halting continental heavyweights TP Mazembe and progressing to the group stages of the Caf Champions League for the first time in their history.

For a side that had not been given a chance when the draw was conducted, Makepekepe accomplished a giant-killing act with a display rich in spirit in a goalless draw at the National Sports Stadium.

Abbas Amidu’s goal in the reverse leg, which ended 1-1 in the Democratic Republic of Congo last week, counted the most as it became crucial in dumping the five-time champions from the competition.

The wild celebrations as players, supporters and club officials came together summed up the significance of this feat at the end of the day.

“Absolutely (this is the best Caps United team). Results are there to prove that. There is no other Caps United team that has matched or got anywhere near what these boys have achieved and so I think they deserve to be the greatest Caps United team ever,” said Chitembwe.

“At the end of the day the players deserve special mention. They worked hard in training and the spirit within the group is out of this world. I just want to attribute our success to the spirit within the group.

‘’Everyone in the set-up works very hard towards achieving such kind of success. So I am very proud to be one of the organs within the Caps United set-up.”

There was some style to Caps United yesterday.

The Harare giants gave their players royal treatment by flying them in two helicopters to the giant stadium where they received to a raucous welcome from their fans who turned out in numbers despite the hike in gate charges to $5 for the cheapest ticket.

The huge number of supporters managed to dwarf TP Mazembe’s boisterous brass band that played on until the 90th minute.

Caps United defied the logic and stood toe-to-toe with their established opponents.

Goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda was up to the task with some crucial saves and with a bit of luck, he could have scored a brilliant goal past his opposite number Sylvain Gbohouo who did well to turn the ball around the post from one of his trademark free-kicks, with the ball hit with both power and precision.

Makepekepe were a unit as they defended their territory with determination.

Moses Muchenje and Devon Chafa went about their duties with grit in midfield where they gave TP Mazembe skipper Rainford Kalaba and Miche Mika little room to make any destructive moves that usually give the Congolese giants the edge.

Caps United fringe player Valentine Musarurwa, who was playing his second successive game in place of injured Ronald Pfumbidzai, was also in the thick of things, slowing down Ghanaian Asante Solomon who looked dangerous on the wings.

The Ravens wanted a goal in the first half to unsettle the home team but they could not breach the Makepekepe defence.

But as time ticked on the pressure was building in the TP Mazembe camp and their coach Thierry Froger made three substitutions in the second half by bringing in attack-minded players Given Singuluma, Deo Kanda and Misheck Elia but they still could not breach the Caps defence.

Referee Bernard Carmille of the Seychelles, who had been fingered in an intricate plot to help TP Mazembe qualify, was also under pressure to deliver a flawless display.

And, he did just that, refusing to be bullied by the visitors who are used to getting decisions in their favour. Makepekepe continued with their imperial form at the National Sports Stadium where they haven’t lost a match, in regulation time, since Chitembwe’s arrival two years ago.

“It’s down to belief. I’m sure the boys believed we are more formidable at the National Sports Stadium. I think it’s the environment that we are very familiar with. We are very comfortable to play at the National Sports Stadium.

“Let’s see how far we can go. Even last year just before the season started there were a lot of people who were skeptical about the spirit within the group and the quality that we have. I still want them to remain skeptical about our chances in the tournament.

“I’m sure if there is anything that has made us so strong and very formidable is the fact that we have equally good players in any part of the pitch.

“Imagine, for Valentine, this is probably his second biggest game and he performed the way he did. I’m sure it also gives the other player who was meant to play enough room to think about his game and that’s only good for the team,” said Chitembwe.

Froger said Makepekepe deserved the win.

The Frenchman hailed the Green Machine as a strong team.

“They have qualified and that means they are stronger than us,” said Froger.

The Frenchman, who is only a  month into the job, will surely have his future tabled for discussion.

The Ravens captain Kalaba said they had only themselves to blame as they failed to take their chances.

“We had many chances in both games but we couldn’t score. TP Mazembe are a big team and they are not on a downfall. It’s unfortunate these things happen in football as you can see even in Europe some big teams fail to qualify.

“We were not lucky with our chances. We missed a lot of chances. If we had scored one goal then the game could have changed,” said Kalaba.

Teams

Caps Utd – E. Sibanda, H. Zvirekwi, V. Musarurwa, J. Jangano, D. Dauda, M. Muchenje, D. Chafa, P. Bamusi (K. Nyamupfukudza, 89th minute), T. Rusike (C. Munzabwa, 79th minute), A. Amidu (D. Chungwa, 53rd minute), S. Nhivi.

TP Mazembe – S. Gbohouo, D. Issama, S. Coulibaly, K. Mondeko, A. Zola, C. Kourame (G. Singuluma, 67th minute), M. Mika, R. Kalaba, A. Solomon (D. Kanda, 77th minute), B. Malango (M. Elia, 60th minute), A. Traore

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Cheetahs players pose with the Kwese Sevens Trophy

Mehluli Sibanda in VICTORIA FALLS
ZIMBABWE are the inaugural winners of the Kwese Sports Victoria Falls Sevens after they defeated Namibia 24-7 in an exciting Cup final at Victoria Falls Primary School yesterday.

It was an incredible end to the tournament which saw coach Gilbert Nyamutsamba’s Cheetahs only concede just one try during the entire tournament.

In the final Cheetahs scored four tries and two conversions on their way to victory.

Takudzwa Chieza scored the first try in the second minute, pouncing on a loose ball to plant the ball over the line and skipper Hilton Mudariki added the extra two points with a successful conversion kick.

Stephan Hunduza chipped in with the second try.

Namibian skipper Nandivatu Karuuombe gave his team some hope when he scored a try two minutes after the break which was converted by Jandre du Toit.

Zimbabwe got their third try two minutes later, veteran Gardner Nechironga going over but Mudariki saw his conversion going wide off the posts.

Nelson Madida, one of the outstanding players making their Cheetahs debut, finished a fine display over the two days when he powered his way over the line to score the fourth try for Zimbabwe.

“It’s an amazing feeling, we have worked really hard, we started with a very tough camp, coach Gidza came in with a new game plan, the boys had to adapt to a new game and I am happy with how we performed today,” said Mudariki.

‘’It was a tough final, we knew they were going to come out and they wanted us and we just had to stick to our structure, stick to what we know, we scored some fantastic tries today.’’

Nyamutsamba said it was a tough tourney.

‘’We knew that it t was going to be tough from day one but I am so glad that the boys did dig deep and played well all the way to the final. We knew Namibia would be very physical and they have got strong big players and our game plan was simple, to keep the ball because we know that in a game of sevens as long as you have got the ball the other team cannot play so we managed to keep the ball,’’ said Nyamutsamba.

Both teams were handed their medals at a presentation party which included Zimbabwe Rugby Union president Nyararai Sibanda, Kwese Sports chief executive Jeroen Oerlemans, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport and Recreation Godfrey Chipare as well as Sports and Recreation Commission board member Clement Mukwasi.

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Paul Mundandi, Harare Bureau
CAPS United coach, who made history yesterday by becoming the first Green Machine coach to guide the side to the Caf Champions League group stages, was assaulted by a TP Mazembe supporter before kick-off.

Chitembwe was moving in the tunnel when a TP Mazembe fan rushed toward him and slapped him on the head.

He got hold of the guy and a number of officials and two players came to his rescue.

Some of the TP Mazembe fans had evaded the security and then quickly ran away from the scene.

On Saturday, a man believed to be a TP Mazembe sangoma was filmed digging parts of the giant stadium pitch and planting some substances.

“I was walking in the tunnel and I just heard somebody saying that ‘this is the Caps United coach.’ I was then slapped on the head and I reacted by holding the guy.

‘’One of the bouncers came to my rescue as he took over the situation.

“I did not make a police report as I wanted to concentrate on the job at hand but I feel he was given a few lessons by our bouncers.

‘’It’s very primitive to fight at soccer matches and if one has to fight it must be players who must do it on the field in a battle of their skills and not with fists,” said Chitembwe.

About 200 TP Mazembe fans watched the match.

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Ellina Mhlanga, Harare Bureau
THE Zimbabwe senior women netball team underlined their status as one of the rising African powerhouses when they emerged victorious at the Hong Kong tri-nations tournament at the Kowloon Park Sports Centre yesterday.

Zimbabwe won all their matches against the hosts and Malaysia to come out tops at the end of the four-day event.

They beat Malaysia 52-28 in their opening match before defeating Hong Kong 46-30.

With the top two countries going into the finals, Zimbabwe and Hong Kong met again to decide the eventual winners of the tournament and Zimbabwe proved to be the better team of the day with a 42-28 victory.

Zimbabwe’s captain, Perpetua Siyachitema, said the tournament showed how much they have improved.

“We are so excited. The win means so much to us. It shows that we are really improving.

“We were playing short and accurate passes and since they are fast, we were playing a slow game,” said Siyachitema.

In yesterday’s final, the first quarter ended with the teams tied at 8-8 before Zimbabwe upped their game to take the second quarter 11-6.

They continued with their dominance taking the third and fourth quarters 13-10 and 10-4.

Siyachitema, who has been with the team for nine years, believes the tournament gave them an insight of what they need to work on ahead of the African Championships in June, where Zimbabwe will be looking at defending the title.

“This victory is so important because it has helped us to know how we are going to work on some of the mistakes that we were making. It also shows how strong the team is. We are just going to polish up on a few things,” said Siyachitema.

Zimbabwe went into the tournament as the favourites ranked at number 17 on the world rankings. Hong Kong and Malaysia occupied number 26 and 19 respectively.

Zimbabwe will be hoping for an improvement on their rankings since it was a world ranking tournament.

Meanwhile, the national Super League began on Saturday with Support Unit Queens beating Ruwa Queens 48-26.

ZRP Tomlinson Queens dismissed Golden Valley Queens 64-15 while Platinum Queens overpowered Shurugwi Queens 68-10.

ZDF Queens beat Waruwaru Queens 37-26.

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Gibson Homela

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
A FIVE-day Fifa grassroots training programme that had been pencilled to kick start the Zifa Southern Region’s series of training and development programmes targeting coaches, administrators and referees has been postponed from today to next month.

Tumediso Mokoena Ndlovu, the Zifa regional training and development administrator, said the Fifa grassroots training programme, which will be held in Masvingo, will now start on April 12.

“The Fifa instructor meant to facilitate the programme in Masvingo communicated through the national association that he will be available to conduct the course next month, hence a decision to postpone it. The Fifa programme will go ahead and those who would have been recommended for the course will pay $80. This programme is strictly for individuals and coaches who are visible and have shown interest in grassroots training. All the details about the course are available at Zifa national offices,” said Ndlovu.

He said each province is expected to send five representatives to the Fifa training and development programme, including their provincial chairperson.

Provincial representatives should comprise four juniors’ coaches to be selected by the region in consultation with the provinces.

He said Zifa would continue with its busy schedule that has been lined-up, with an administrators’ training course starting on Thursday.

He challenged Premier Soccer League, First Division, lower divisions and aspiring administrators to attend a football administration clinic to be held at Bulawayo’s Elangeni Training Centre from March 23-28.

According to the Zifa technical programme, veteran coaching instructor Gibson Homela, retired referees Edson Nkau and Thabani Mnkantjo will be instructors for the administration course.

Ndlovu said a beginners’ coaching course, Zifa Level One will be held at Eveline High School from March 25 to April 2, with its facilitators being Homela and Philani “Beefy” Ncube.

Ndlovu encouraged youngsters to attend the programmes, saying they are the future of the game.

“This is an opportunity for young people interested in football to attend these programmes. These programmes are meant to empower youngsters. Look, almost every sector of football is covered in the calendar we have released. We’re training administrators, coaches and referees,” Ndlovu said.

The referees’ beginners’ programmes will be held in Bulawayo, Hwange and Binga between March 25 and June 25.

Aspiring referees will have to part with $40 to attend the beginners’ training.

— @ZililoR

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