Robson Sharuko Senior Sports Editor
COSTA NHAMOINESU got Zimbabwean footballers’ adventure in UEFA’s two main inter-club tournaments this season underway last night as Czech Republic giants Sparta Prague plunged into a Europa showdown in Serbia.

The 33-time Czech champions, the most successful football club in the Balkan country which is still celebrating their national team’s historic qualification for their maiden FIFA World Cup final where they lost to France, were in action against Serbian side Spartak Subotica.

The second qualifying round, first leg, match was at the 13 000-seater Subotica City Stadium in Serbia’s northernmost city, on the border with Hungary, with the second leg of the decisive battle set for Prague in the Czech Republic next week.

The winner of this duel will take on Danish side Brondby in the third qualifying round for a place in the group stages where Knowledge Musona’s new Belgian side Anderlecht are one of the teams that had automatic entrance this season.

The Warriors skipper, who moved to Anderlecht from KV Oostende during the off-season, has to wait until the group stages of the tournament, starting on September 20, with the battles running until December 13.

The other heavyweights waiting for their prey in the group stages include Arsenal and Chelsea, Lazio, Sporting Lisbon, Marseille, Leverkusen, Villarreal and Real Betis.

Another Zimbabwean international, Tino Kadewere, was supposed to be in action yesterday for his Swedish side Djurgardens who were held to a 1-1 draw by Ukraine side Mariupol at the Tele2 Arena in Stockholm in their first leg showdown.

However, Kadewere — one of the heroes of the Warriors success story at the COSAFA Cup recently, is currently sidelined by a long-term injury and did not feature for his team last night.

The Swedish side have a mountain to climb in the second leg next week to make the next round as they needed a goal, four minutes into added time, by Senegalese striker Aliou Badji to force a draw, at home, having trailed for the better part of the match to a first half goal by the visitors.

Nhamoinesu, who withdrew from the COSAFA Cup squad at the last minute because of injury concerns, is back to full fitness and celebrated his 32nd birthday last month.

His withdrawal from the team, though, did not stop him to keep track with events that were unfolding in South Africa as he congratulated his teammates following their triumph over Zambia in the final.

“Well done Zimbabwe Warriors for lifting the COSAFA Cup 2018. Let’s keep moving forward together,’’ Nhamoinesu tweeted.

The gangly Zimbabwean defender started from the bench last night in his team’s Europa League battle in Subotica and watched helplessly as the Serbian hosts took an eighth minute lead through defender Nemanja Calasan which they defended until the break.

Thirteen minutes after the interval, Spartak Subotica doubled their lead through Ognjen Duricin to consolidate their control on the game.

Sparta Prague finished fifth in their domestic championship last season to book a place in the Europa League, a competition they are familiar with after reaching the quarter-finals two years ago following a very good run.

Back then, Sparta Prague finished second in their group behind German giants Schalke 04 and thrashed Russian side Krasnodar 4-0 in the Round of 32.

They even went a gear up in the Round of 16 when they destroyed Italian giants Lazio 4-1 on aggregate to book a place in the quarter-finals.

However, their campaign ended when they met their match in Villarreal with the Spanish side beating them 6-3 on aggregate.

Villarreal went on to lose 1-3 on aggregate to Liverpool in the semi-finals.

Nhamoinesu posted his picture training in Subotica on his Facebook page on Wednesday, telling his fans he was preparing for this Europa League battle.

“Training before first qualification match of Europa League! Come on Sparta,’’ he wrote on his Facebook page.

But his team, who are under the guidance of 48-year-old Czech Republic coach Pavel Hapal, found the going tough in Serbia last night as the hosts took control of this contest.

However, all is still not lost for Nhamoinesu and his teammates who will now have to play better if they entertain any hopes of overturning the first leg deficit. Another Zimbabwean international, midfielder Marvelous Nakamba, is also waiting to feature in the UEFA Champions League w ith his Belgian side Club Brugge who won the country’s championship last season.

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Arts Correspondent
Since the demise of Book Café, there is a section of artistes that has been homeless.

Artistes like poets, comedians and writers that used to utilise the Book Café space for interaction and performances have been hopelessly hopping from one place to the other without getting their deserved recognition.

Musicians that pursue mbira, Afro-fusion and jazz suffered a similar fate although they had an advantage of getting periodic slots at joints that mainly aim to experiment with their sounds.

Most of them have been complaining that they are losing space to more popular genres and their fans were getting bored because of their lack of consistence.

But the artistes’ prayers have now been answered.

Red Café, a new baby in showbiz, has brought a new lease of life to the affected artistes. It has fitted into the gap that Book Café left and answered the call for redemption.

Situated along Harare Street, the place has won hearts of followers of these elite genres because of its ambiance and thrust of creating an environment that brings intimacy between artistes and fans.

When mbira guru Tichaona Wilfred MaAfrika performed at the venue recently, he was a happy man. He said mbira musicians and their fans had become miserable nomads. He said the artistes were feeling like outcasts while fans were losing patience, which had greatly affected attendance at their shows.

He has confidence in Red Café and other artistes have already endorsed the venue.

This week the place was a hive of activity since Monday. The venue hosts a Poetry Monday every week and this week they doubled with a talk show by Fari Wacho titled “Free Spirits”.

On Wednesday Gary Tight launched his latest video “Tororo” and the party left lasting impressions.

Yesterday Madiz came to the place for the launch of his latest single to spice up the programme with some slow rhumba vibes.

Tonight the party continues as Baba Harare performs at the venue while Pualine’s birthday party takes place tomorrow featuring Victor Kunonga.

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By Mukudzei Chingwere

The two clubs picked for the next edition of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup – FC Platinum and Harare City – are yet to decide if they will accept the offer to represent the country.

CAF agreed to change the calendar for the two competitions to match it with the European schedule, but the next edition starts in December and the deadline for registration is October 15.

The deadline comes before the identity of this year’s league championship is known as the league only ends either in November or December.

This has left the league’s leaders with no option but to recommend that FC Platinum and Harare City take part in the two tournaments.

FC Platinum are the current Zimbabwe champions, while Harare City are the holders of the country’s premier knock-out tournament.

“The decision has been made that we are supposed to represent the country in the Confederation Cup, but as a club we are yet to decide,” said Harare City chairman Alois Masepe, who has turned the fortunes of the club around.

“The club will have to discuss the issue and we will convene a meeting to decide on that, but for now I cannot tell if we will participate or not.

“It is the decision of the club and it’s only after we have agreed as a club that we will communicate our official position.”

The club said they wanted to concentrate on returning to the Premiership.

However, the team was handed a lifeline when How Mine collapsed and they have played well in the Premiership under the guidance of coach Mark Harrison.

FC Platinum media liaison officer Chido Chizondo said her club would first meet its stakeholders before jumping into accepting the offer.

“The club is yet to deliberate if we are taking the offer or not, no decision has been arrived at as yet,” she said.

“We will need to meet as a club and come up with a decision as has always been the case.

“We need to meet some of our stakeholders before making such a commitment and after meeting the stakeholders we can then decide on the next move.”

FC Platinum have featured in the Champions League twice.

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By Tadious Manyepo

Was Paulo Jorge Silva right when he said Dynamos will turn into a punching bag under the guidance of Lloyd Mutasa?

The wayward Portuguese gaffer, who had Mutasa as his assistant at Dynamos, was fired in June 2016 after a string of poor results.

Mutasa was then elevated to the hot seat, with Silva suggesting that his former assistant had back-stabbed him.

The Portuguese coach lambasted Mutasa and predicted the Glamour Boys would fight relegation in a space of two years if Mutasa remained their coach.

“As long as Dynamos are coached by Mutasa and his blunt backroom staff, I tell you for sure the team will always struggle,” said Silva.

“In two years’ time, the team will be fighting for survival and not the championship. That guy (Mutasa) belongs to the old-school type of football.

When Mutasa led Dynamos to a second-place finish in 2017 in a spirited campaign in which his team pushed eventual champions FC Platinum to the line, many felt Silva had been proved wrong.

However, things are now looking gloomy at the Glamour Boys and there are some who are now wondering if Silva was right after all.

The country’s biggest and most successful club find themselves lying fifth from bottom of the table after Match Day 20. They have accumulated a paltry 22 points in a poor run in which they have won just five times, drawn seven and lost eight matches.

DeMbare are now only three points off the relegation threshold.

The club’s conversion rate is so pathetic they have managed to bag 17 goals.

Mutasa, who in the off-season said he would have failed as a coach if his charges don’t win the league title, has since conceded that the championship is now beyond them.

He, however, insists the club will finish the season strongly.

Dynamos have signed striker Munashe Kaseke in the current mid-season transfer window, while they have welcomed back midfielder Denver Mukamba, whose one-year loan deal at CAPS United was cut short due to the player’s wayward behaviour.

Every week that the Glamour Boys have plunged into action this season, and failed to win, it appears Silva – who was dismissed as either a madman or a comedian – is being proved right after all.

The post Silva’s Mutasa Prophecy Coming True appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

By Collin Matiza

The Zimbabwean motor racing community gathers at Donnybrook Raceway in Harare on Saturday for the 5th round of the National Championships, but this will be a race meeting with a difference.

Sponsored by Toyota Zimbabwe, this will be part of worldwide celebrations to mark the 50th birthday of their iconic Hilux, the world’s most successful pick-up truck. However, it also marks the end of an era as this will be the last race meeting before Ian Howden steps down as the Managing Director of Toyota Zimbabwe.

Howden was bitten by the motor racing bug while growing up in Harare, but it was only after serving his apprenticeship with Toyota South Africa that he was able to pursue his passion.

Sporadic outings in a Cortina were followed by a Toyota Conquest, but it was at the wheel of a BMW 325iS that Howden really made his mark, memorably pulling off an audacious passing manoeuvre on Gary Kirk as the latter cruised to what he thought was an easy victory.

Howden’s promotion to Managing Director at Toyota Zimbabwe allowed the family to return to Harare, bringing with him a Subaru WRX STi which he used to great effect, winning the Zimbabwe National Saloon Car Championship.

In addition to his performances on the race tracks and rally stages, Howden served as a member of the Sables Motor Club committee in Harare and helped to not only organise race meetings, but to improve the facilities at both Zimbabwean race circuits, as well as promoting safe driving through the local high schools.

With full grids in all of the Sports and Saloon Car classes, as well as visiting South African Superbikes riders, Saturday’s race meeting promises to provide a fitting farewell to Howden.

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THE Young Warriors ended their COSAFA Under-17 Championships empty-handed when they fell to a third straight defeat in Mauritius yesterday.

The Zimbabweans crashed to a 1-2 loss at the hands of Angola in a Group C match.

It meant the Young Warriors lost all their matches at the tournament.

The team were coming from a 0-5 thrashing at the hands of Malawi.

Yesterday, the Young Warriors were down 0-2 at the break and there were concerns they would slump to another big defeat.

However, the Zimbabweans found a way to fight back in the second half and reduced the arrears with a goal in that period.

The Young Warriors have found the going tough at the tournament in recent years.

This has sparked a huge outcry in domestic football, with many questioning the pedigree of some of the coaches who are being handed the responsibility to take charge of the team.

Others have questioned the chaotic manner in which the team is selected, amid allegations that coaches have become biased and were not picking the best players for the tournament.

Some England-based coaches have also raised the red flag after their attempts to bring in some Zimbabwean players to feature in the team were rejected by the coaches.

The Young Warriors have now lost their last six matches at the tournament in the past two years.

Group C

P W D L G A Pts

Angola 2 2 3 0 7 1 9

Swaziland 2 2 0 1 4 6 6

Malawi 2 1 0 2 5 2 3

Zimbabwe 2 0 0 3 2 8 0

The post Zimbabwe Fall to Angola appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Manchester United fans have high hopes but the mood music is not good ahead of a crunch season for Jose Mourinho.

So much for the power of positivity. As Jose Mourinho prepares for a defining season as Manchester United manager, his list of frustrations is growing and he has not been afraid to share his concerns publicly. “Pre-season is very bad, I have to say that,” he told reporters out on the club’s summer tour of the United States. “Everything is really bad.”

The range of complaints include annoyances with the tour itinerary and grievances over the start date of the English Premier League soccer season. Disrupted preparation is the main reason for his agitation. “I’m worried,” he explained. “I have to be worried. I’m worried because I’m not training and then go to the Premier League without lots of players.”

With key men Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku involved in the Soccer World Cup until the final weekend, it has not been a straightforward build-up for United. “We are not a team,” said Mourinho after watching his side’s goalless draw with San Jose Earthquakes in front of a sparse crowd in California. “We’re a group of players from different teams.”

Some of those concerns are short term. “Against Leicester and Brighton the situation is not amazing for us,” he said this week of the first two Premier League fixtures. But Mourinho’s words and demeanour are not only down to the immediate difficulties ahead of him. There are longer-term problems too. He has refused to even discuss the club’s title prospects. It is easy to see why he might be downbeat. It is not at all obvious that this United team is evolving in the manner that many had anticipated. In Mourinho’s previous post at Chelsea, it took him only a season to assess what was needed before bringing in Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa to address the issues. The Premier League title was duly delivered.

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Lewis Hamilton says the pressure of this year’s Formula One title fight with Sebastian Vettel is greater than he has ever experienced before.

The Mercedes driver is 17 points clear of Vettel after Sunday’s win in Germany but expects Ferrari to have the upper hand at this weekend’s race in Hungary.

Hamilton said: “The pressures are huge. The demands and the desires of myself and Sebastian are higher than ever. “The pressure is higher than ever. I am not fazed by it. I am excited by it.”

Vettel crashed out of the lead in Germany in the difficult late stages of the race when it was raining and the drivers were using slick tyres.

Hamilton, who said his drive to victory from 14th on the grid was one of the greatest of his career, said: “I do take a lot of pride in being a perfectionist and not making mistakes. With the pressure we are under, I really work hard to position myself mentally and physically that I am the last to crack. It is not easy but I am happy with where it is right now.”

He added: “Last year, I’m sure we reached just as high heights in terms of pressure at some point. It is just that this year it is even closer than last year so the smallest mistakes are even more costly. So there is more pressure on that.

“We are racing a team that are faster than us this year. Last year, we were quite balanced. There were some weekends, they were faster than us, some weekends we were faster than them.

“This year it is swinging more in their direction, so we are having to over-deliver on weekends and try to pull out more on weekends when we are not quick enough so the pressure to extract every last millimetre is greater than ever if I want to be number one at the end.”

Hamilton said the psychological aspects of performing at his best throughout a 21-race season that lasts nine months were extreme.

“You don’t see us away from the track and that is the most demanding thing,” he said. “Keeping your mind in the game from March to November, arriving every weekend 100%.

“I can honestly say not every single weekend I have hit the nail on the head and been able to do that.

“There are parts of my performance this year that are not perfect. Last year I was great in qualifying, this year it has been an area I am constantly trying to work on – starts were more consistent last year, there are always areas, there is always something.”

Vettel did not talk to the media on Thursday following the death of Sergio Marchionne on Wednesday, four days after he was replaced as president and chief executive officer of Ferrari after becoming ill from complications following shoulder surgery.

Hamilton said he expected Ferrari and potentially Red Bull to be stronger than Mercedes this weekend.

“This weekend is going to be the same challenges as every year,” he said. “We’ve got the Red Bulls – it is not a power circuit and they are quite often close. Ferrari were quickest here last year. It is probably going to be the same this weekend, we are going to try our hardest to improve on that.

“Maybe tomorrow we will get in the car and we will have great pace; the car will work really well here. This is a really tough track, very hot, the way the corners are laid out has not in the past been good for our car package.

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UNDER-PRESSURE Sables coach Peter De Villiers has named a largely unchanged squad despite struggling Zimbabwe facing easily their toughest test when they host Namibia in a Rugby Africa Gold Cup tie at Hartsfield next weekend.

The Sables, now in a desperate bid to avoid relegation, will host their old rivals, who have virtually run away with the African ticket to the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

The Namibians remain unbeaten and look well on course to end their qualification bid with a 100 percent record.

Without a win to show for all their Word Cup aspirations, the Sables now have only two games to salvage their pride.

They have a home tie against Namibia and their final group game away to Uganda in Kampala on August 18.

Their showdown against the Cranes of Uganda looks set to be the decisive match that could see De Villiers’ men being demoted into the silver group or remaining in the elite Gold Cup.

After a two-week break that followed their surprise defeat by Tunisia away the Sables regrouped in Harare on Thursday with De Villiers naming a 26-man squad.

Team manager Dereck Chiwara, in releasing the squad yesterday, said the Sables would shift their camp to Bulawayo on Monday night.

Zimbabwe Rugby Union general manager, Sifiso Made, said the Sables would be granted an off day on Monday to go and cast their votes in the July 30 harmonised elections.

“The squad has been in camp since Thursday but they will break on Sunday so that everyone can go to their constituencies and exercise their right to vote on Monday.

‘’After voting, they will travel to Bulawayo on Monday night where they will stay for the remainder of their camp,’’ Made said.

From the team that took to the field on their farcical tour of Tunisia, De Villiers has dropped forward Johannes Stander, wing Dylan Baptista, Peter Du Toit and Lawrence Cleminson.

The former Springboks coach has brought in Antipas Kamkwindo, Irvine Nduwa and called up Cheetahs’ World Cup wing Shayne Makombe while handing recalls to Connor Pritchard, Jeremiah Jaravaza and scrumhalf Hilton Mudariki.

German-based star wing Tafadzwa Chitokwindo has also been included although his availability remains in doubt amid revelations that he had flown back to his base on Wednesda.

Mudariki also remains a huge doubt after the scrumhalf was excused from the Sevens World Cup in order to allow him to settle at his new English club.

But Hilton’s young brother and tighthead prop Farai is still available for Sables duties despite being signed by Worcester Warriors for the 2018-19 season.

The 23 year-old is now on the books of French side Stado Tarbes Pyrenees.

Farai told The Herald that his new club authorities were aware that he would only move next month after concluding his national team duties with the Sables. De Villiers will also have former Zimbabwe international Daniel Hondo as his right hand man for the Sables’ remaining two games following the demotion of Brendon Dawson to the development structures.

“What we decided, in agreement with the coach, was that since there are two games left and the coach will use whoever he can from the crew of local coaches that we have and at the moment it is Daniel Hondo

“He is a former Sables backline star and he also holds a Level 2 certificate so the coach knows best in what specific areas he wants his assistance.’’

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ZIMBABWE’S representatives at the African Senior Athletics Championships next week in Nigeria are confident they will do well.

The National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe are looking to field a team of eight athletes in the track events for the meet that runs from August 1 to 5 in Asaba, Nigeria.

The team, to be led by Lisimati Phakamile, is scheduled to leave for Nigeria tomorrow.

Faith Dube, who is set to compete in 200m and 400m events, said she is excited by her first appearance at the championships.

Dube made the cut for the competition during an invitational meet in Zambia last month.

“I have been preparing since October last year, this was my target. It was a dream come true. I was so excited and I could not believe myself.

“I have been working in the gym and track at the same time in order to up my game because the competition that I am going to face is going to be stiff this time around,” said Dube.

Dube was part of the team that took part in the Confederation of University and Colleges Sports Association Games in Botswana last month and she picked three silver medals.

“It’s my first time. I just told myself I am going to do my best, whatever the result,’’ the 27-year-old said.

‘’I promised myself that I will do my best. With the training I have been doing I will run my best time.

“The training was hard because of the facilities, (some) are not so good, where I stay and the training points, it’s quite far…But so far so good, people have been coming in and assisting me.

“I was in the CUCSA team that went to Botswana. I ran my best time and came second in 400m and I ran the relay.

‘’That one was a major opportunity for me…it really motivated me because the last time I went to those Games I was not even in the top three.

“So it shows me I am making progress, I am somewhere now,” said Dube.

The other athletes in the team are Ngoni Makusha, Dickson Kapandura, Rodwell Ndlovu, Leon Tafirenyika, Tatenda Tsumba, Nyasha Mutsetse and Maryjoy Mudyiravanji.

Kapandura and Tafirenyika were in Finland for the World Under-20 Championships while Mutsetse and Makusha took advantage of an invitational competition in Mauritius a few weeks ago to step up their preparations.

“Basically the preparations were a bit tough but I got some help to find a place where I could train and have access to the gym and everything,’’ said Mutsetse.

‘’I have been at Bindura University for two weeks now.

“And I had a competition in Mauritius early this month, so I am very happy. I competed in 1500m for the first time because I was lacking speed and endurance.

‘’I have worked on that and I think by now I have tried to perfect everything.’’

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FIREWORKS are expected as the Zimbabwean motor racing community gathers at Donnybrook Raceway in Harare today for the Toyota At 50 National Championships.

About 200 racers will battle it out for honours.

Sponsored by Toyota Zimbabwe, this will be part of worldwide celebrations to mark the 50th birthday of one of their iconic vehicles, Toyota Hilux, which is arguably the world’s most successful pick-up truck.

The managing director of Toyota Zimbabwe, Ian Howden, himself a fine racer although he won’t be part of the racing cast today, said the race will be unique and promised fireworks.

Howden was bitten by the motor racing bug while growing up in Harare.

But it was only after serving his apprenticeship with Toyota South Africa that he was able to pursue his passion.

“We are expecting great competition in Saturday’s (today) racing at Donnybrook Raceway. Nothing and fireworks will be the order of the day,’’ said Howden.

‘’I am very convinced that our celebrations of the Toyota Hilux@50 anniversary will fittingly be spiced by great things on the track.

‘’A whole lot of excellent racers, some from South Africa, will grace this event and you cannot expect anything short of fireworks.

“It’s a family day and spectators should come in their numbers for the event.”

Howden said the first 50 people at the venue in a Toyota Hilux will enjoy free entrance.

“The first 50 people to come to the raceway in a Toyota Hilux, with which we will be celebrating, will enjoy free entrance.

“Spectators will be required to pay $5 with children under the age of 12 admitted free of charge.

“This is a must-attend show and I am sure spectators will be clamouring for more by the time the race ends.’’

With full grids in all of the Sports and Saloon Car classes, as well as visiting South African Superbikes riders, today’s race meeting surely promises to provide some fireworks.

Today’s event will be graced by one of South Africa’s top female Superbikes riders, Zante Otto, who, interestingly, is set to face Howden’s daughter, Jessica, on the track.

There will be a full “menu” of main circuit racing with vehicles taking part in different classes today.

In fact, there will be a 50-lap main race with cars and bikes racing the whole day.

And to spice up the day, there will be a Hilux v Hilux “special race”.

Temba Mazvimbakupa, an official with the Zimbabwe Motorsport Federation, yesterday urged the local motorsport enthusiasts to come to Donnybrook today in their thousands.

‘’Toyota Zimbabwe is one of the biggest sponsors of motorsport in Zimbabwe. It’s also not a secret that their sponsored races often attract a large number of local and regional competitors.

“This year’s event (today) promises to be bigger and better. I (would like to) urge local motosport fans to come in their numbers and also to come in early to watch this exciting event at Donnybrook.

“We wish our drivers and riders the very best and do what you do best and more importantly have fun, ‘’ Mazvimbakupa said.

Racing today starts at 10am.

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Manchester City star David Silva says he will most likely leave the club when his contract expires in 2020, but insists he won’t play for another English soccer team.

The Spain international has been at City since July 2010 and has since amassed 346 appearances across all competitions, scoring 61 goals and providing a staggering 115 assists.

At the age of 32, Silva has started thinking about his career winding down and revealed that he will probably say his goodbyes to the Citizens in 2020, when a different challenge could be pursued.

“When I finish my contract with Manchester City I will be 34 years old, at that time I will probably want to do something different. I don’t know yet but I won’t play for another club in England,” he told Sky Sports.

“People always love me in England, it’s been eight years – very successful years, and the football we’ve played has been very attractive.

“English people love that type of football – those type of games. And that’s why I’m so happy here.”

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DYNAMOS coach Lloyd Mutasa says the problems bedevilling his team cannot be solved by him alone and has called on the club’s stakeholders to rally behind him and his boys.

The Harare giants are experiencing one of their worst episodes in Premiership football and are currently battling for survival in the bottom half of the table.

There has been a lot of criticism on the coach, and the quality of the team at his disposal, which has won only five of the 20 matches they have played to date.

DeMbare have made only two additions to their side after bringing in rookie forward Munashe Kaseke and Bret Amidu, who is returning from FC Platinum on a loan spell.

The mid-season transfer window is closing next Tuesday and Mutasa said he was confident with his arsenal ahead of the remainder of the season.

“Here and there you would want to press some panic buttons, but we have been in this predicament before and to us it’s not something that we should lose sleep over.

“It’s something that we know we are capable of moving from.

‘’What is key is to have all the stakeholders to try and assist where it is possible because in football there are many factors that affect performance hence we would want those areas to be addressed.

“You don’t just look at a player and say he is not good enough without looking at the other factors. I am sure these youngsters will be able to compete if we cover the areas that need to be covered.

“I don’t doubt their pedigree. We are not very far from the other players that I am seeing in the league,” said Mutasa.

Dynamos are currently sitting 13th on the log standings with 22 points in the bag.

Their strikeforce has been below par with 17 goals from 20 starts while the defence, which used to win them titles in the past, has already shipped in 23 goals.

Last week’s home defeat to Ngezi Platinum was their eighth loss this year.

They were supposed to play Highlanders this week, but the league has cancelled all matches because of the upcoming national elections.

Mutasa said the break will give them time to reflect on their mistakes and plan ahead of their trip to Bulawayo for the return leg of the Battle of Zimbabwe.

His squad had also been hit by injuries as vice-captain Marshal Machazane, Godfrey Mukambi and winger Cleoplas Kapupurika are carrying knocks.

“I think the break is coming at the right time after losing to Ngezi Platinum. We have some few knocks in our team and I am sure this break will give them time to recuperate and probably get the job going as we get to next week in preparation of the Battle of Zimbabwe against Highlanders.

“On the other hand it’s a matter of fine-tuning areas that need to be addressed hence we are giving other players game time in the few matches that we have lined up during the course of the week.

“Football has gone scientific these days and we are doing all we can to try and enhance the performance of these youngsters.

‘’But I would like to believe that probably the way they trained when we played Ngezi Platinum, personally as the coach, I was impressed.

“I am seeing the hunger in these youngsters.

“Hopefully, we are not going to be a team that is going to be beaten week in and week out. I know we will get it right,” said Mutasa.

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HIGHLY-RATED Zimbabwe international forward Tinotenda Kadewere’s stock continues to rise following his move to French Ligue 2 side Le Havre Athletic Club yesterday.

The 22-year-old secured a four-year contract with the French side.

He arrives from Swedish Allsvenskan side Djurgardens IF for £2 million plus bonuses in a move that was hailed by Warriors coach Sunday Chidzambwa.

Former Warriors leftback Harlington Shereni, who spent the better part of his professional career in France, also praised the move.

The Warriors marksman, who has already been picked by Zimbabwe football legend Moses Chunga as a special talent, was being stalked by a number of European clubs.

Kadewere will join a club that used to be home to France and Manchester United star Paul Pogba and Algerian international Riyad Mahrez.

Shereni, who spent three years at En Avant Guingamp, before joining another French club FC Nantes, hailed the move which he feels is the beginning of some exciting times for the young forward.

“It is quite a good club and a lot of footballers have come from there. The club is based in Normandy, which is not a big town so that will give him time to settle,” said Shereni.

“It is not really a small club, but a club which he will enjoy to play for. The French Ligue is one of the big leagues in Europe so this gives him a chance to be seen by the bigger clubs from other leagues. From what I have seen of him, he is a good player and should be able to play well. He has all the time in the world, and age is on his side.’’

Shereni said Kadewere should quickly adjust to the French lifestyle, especially language.

“His football, I am not worried about that, I know what he is capable of and that he can easily adapt, he has shown potential and only he needs to follow what his coaches will say.

“The first thing he has to learn is speaking French very fast. He has to adapt to French life. When I moved to France, I had learnt French in Switzerland so it really helped me.

‘’But he is a young man so this should be easy for him.

“The first few months he needs to learn more of the lifestyle there and also concentrate on his game.’’

Chidzambwa was naturally delighted that one of his young Warriors had moved to a country with a rich football tradition.

“It is good for the country and him. This is a higher level compared to Sweden and, hopefully, he will excel.

“I wish him well. He is a promising player, he is well disciplined, can score goals and take chances. He is also good at assisting others,” he said.

Chidzambwa added that Kadewere is one of the players firmly in his plans for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The coach is keeping his fingers crossed that by the time Zimbabwe play Congo next month, the forward who is nursing an injury, would have recovered.

Before the World Cup break, the former Harare City striker was the leading the goalscoring charts in Sweden with eight goals in 12 appearances.

However, the forward was injured ahead of the resumption of the Swedish league and is likely to miss action for about two months.

Yesterday, some of the Le Harve fans, who have watched the player in action through videos, said they were confident the Zimbabwean will shine.

“If he has the sense of purpose, that is the most important thing for an attacker,’’ said one of the fans.

‘’If he plays hard, then the rest will follow.’’

The post Kadewere’s French switch hailed appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Dillian Whyte was over a stone heavier than Joseph Parker ahead of tonight’s heavyweight showdown at London’s O2 Arena.

The British fighter tipped the scales at 18st 6lbs 9oz, while Parker came in at 17st 4lbs as they weighed in for today’s crucial clash at The O2, live on Sky Sports Box Office, with the winner staying in contention for a world title fight.

Whyte was nearly five pounds heavier than for his last win over Lucas Browne, with Parker six pounds more than when he fought Anthony Joshua in March, and both men went nose-to-nose when they stepped off the scales.

On the undercard, Dereck Chisora was slightly heavier at 17st 11lbs 7oz for his heavyweight fight with Carlos Takam, with the France-based Cameroonian coming in at 17st 8lbs 3oz, and security separated both men after a lengthy stare.

Katie Taylor successfully made the lightweight limit as she puts her WBA and IBF titles at stake against IBF mandatory challenger Kimberly Connor, who was also inside the 9st 9lb mark.

Conor Benn shouted “come on” after he weighed in for his welterweight rematch with Cedrick Peynaud on the same bill.

The sizeable weight difference in the main bout was not a surprise to Whyte, who insists he still has enough speed to overcome the New Zealander.

“I was always going to come in as the heavier man because I’m the naturally bigger man,” said Whyte.

“It was short camp so we didn’t want to focus on draining. We just wanted to get the weight down to somewhere we could move, and be effective, and move as quick as I could.

“I’ve got speed, timing and a lot of power.

“I am cool, calm and collected which he has taken for weakness. I’ll show him that the Junkyard Dog is still here, he’s just behaving himself. Don’t take my kindness for weakness.”

But Parker was not daunted by his close encounter with Whyte and promised an explosive ending to their fight.

“All the talking has been done, I’m looking forward to getting in the ring and letting my hands go,” said Parker.

“The weight isn’t a problem as long as you feel comfortable. Coming in heavier will mean I trade more.

“That’s the first time I’ve been nose-to-nose with someone. I wasn’t intimated, it was something new.

“I’ll leave everything in the ring, someone is going to get knocked out.”

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TINO Kadewere’s move to French second-tier side Le Havre might have surprised a number of local football fans and analysts who were probably expecting the sharp-shooting forward to land at a bigger and stronger top-flight club in one of Europe’s major leagues.

But, at 22, Kadewere — who has already been hailed by Zimbabwean football legend, Moses Chunga, as the next big thing that will come out of domestic football — is probably at the right age, and has certainly joined the best club, to grow his talent.

“Three years at #DIF (Djurgardens), it’s been so fast, but I’ve been through so many things,’’ Kadewere said. “I’ve learned a lot during those years as a football player but, moreover, as a man.

“I’ve got so much love from the fans and the team.

“Everyone has been so nice to me. I hope I will come back to Djurgardens in the future. It’s what I will be dreaming of.’’

On face value, Kadewere’s move from a club that is set to play in the UEFA Europa League to one that is in the second tier of French football looks like a wrong one.

But one needs to look at what Le Havre have done, in terms of transforming themselves as one of the best clubs when it comes to nurturing talent in European football, to realise that the Zimbabwean has probably made a move which, in the long term, could open doors for him to move to bigger clubs.

The set-up at Le Havre is focused on making the best out of the young players who come at the club and Kadewere will only have to look at some of those who have graduated from this team to realise the challenge is now on him to deliver.

Le Havre has been the breeding ground for a number of stars who have been involved in transfer deals with more than $300 million in the past few years.

This is the club that Paul Pogba, the France and Manchester United midfielder, first joined and they laid the foundation for his progress that also saw him playing for Italian powerhouse Juventus.

“The midfielder joined the Red Devils (in a complicated transfer) from Le Havre, a club that is famous for its youth academy,’’ Squakwa noted.

“Pogba joined Le Havre in 2007, and even though he only spent a couple of seasons with the club, his performances were crucial for the academy and that quickly brought him to the attention of some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

“It was here where he spent his formative years and his performances for the club eventually attracted the interest of United.

“Over the years Le Havre have produced an incredible number of players who went on to star both in France and the rest of Europe.’’

Last year, the website givemesport.com even published a Le Havre XI who could probably have turned the French club into one of the heavyweights had they kept their stars at their club.

“When it comes to so-called ‘selling’ clubs in Europe, a few names particularly spring to mind,’’ Glen Durrant, a senior writer at givemesport.com noted.

“In the Premier League, for example, Southampton are renowned for nurturing top talent and then cashing in on their youngsters for a tidy sum.

“Indeed, Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott and Adam Lallana all learned their craft at St. Mary’s Stadium before moves to Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool respectively.

“Then you have the likes of Shakhtar Donetsk, Ajax and Atletico Madrid, who have all lost future superstars down the years.

“Atletico have a particular reputation when it comes to producing top talent, having developed and later sold Sergio Aguero, Fernando Torres and Diego Costa.

“In terms of France, Le Havre have sold some pretty big names down the years. Here’s an XI of the players they’ve let go since the turn of the millennium.

GOALKEEPER —STEVE MANDANDA

Steve Mandanda spent seven years at Le Havre before joining Marseille in 2008 and developing into a fantastic goalkeeper. He’s now at Crystal Palace.

RIGHTBACK — PASCAL CHIMBONDA

Now retired at the age of 38, former right-back Pascal Chimbonda played for no less than 11 clubs after leaving Le Havre in 2003, most notably for Tottenham from 2006-2008.

CENTREBACK — JEAN-ALAIN BOUMSONG

Okay, so Le Havre’s potential defence isn’t great. Jean-Alain Boumsong began his senior career in northwestern France before playing for the likes of Rangers, Newcastle United and Juventus.

CENTREBACK — SOULEYMANE DIAWARA

Far from the biggest name in this line-up, Souleymane Diawara largely stuck to playing in Ligue 1 after leaving Le Havre in 2003.

LEFTBACK — BENJAMIN MENDY

At 22-years-old, Benjamin Mendy is the youngest player in this XI having played for Le Havre from 2007 to 2013. The talented left-back is now at Monaco.

CENTRAL DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER — LASSANA DIARRA

Now we’re talking. Lassana Diarra is one of the biggest names on this list having played for Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid since leaving Le Havre in 2005. He’s now a free agent.

CENTRAL MIDFIELDER — PAUL POGBA

That’s right, Paul Pogba once turned out for Le Havre as an exciting 15-year-old. His talent caught the eye of Manchester United in 2009 and he’s since rejoined the Red Devils for a world-record fee.

CENTRAL MIDFIELDER — DIDIER DIGARD

I know what you’re thinking — who on earth is Didier Digard? The 30-year-old is another relatively unknown name in this XI having played for Le Havre from 1999-2007.

RIGHT WINGER — RIYAD MAHREZ

Riyad Mahrez’s rise has been nothing short of sensational. The 26-year-old joined Leicester City from Le Havre in 2014 and won the Premier League in his second season.

STRIKER — SINAMA PONGOLLE

Sinama Pongolle’s name largely resonates with Liverpool fans having joined from Le Havre in 2001, though he was immediately sent back on loan for two seasons.

LEFT WINGER — DIMITRI PAYET

And last but not least, you have Dimitri Payet. The 29-year-old spent four years in Le Havre’s youth set up and, having played for Lille and West Ham United since, is now back at Marseille.’’

Kadewere now has the challenge to make his mark.

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Mukudzei Chingwere Sports Reporter
THE ZIFA referees committee is happy with the shift their officials have put so far this year in handling Premier Soccer League matches, with the association yet to receive a single official complaint from topflight teams. Ironically, the media has been overwhelmed by post match protest especially from coaches.

The referees committee this year set up the appeals committee for assessing the performance of their officials once in two months.

This committee which reviews the performance of referees through the evaluation of reports from match commissioners is again yet to find any bad performance by their members.

The referees’ boss Gladmore Muzambi said his committee has achieved an incredible milestone in their quest to handle matches fairly and making accurate calls.

“We are very happy by the work of our officials and I am happy to announce that there has not been any bad performance from our referees this year.

“We now have the appeals committee which reviews the work of officials and the good thing is that the committee is yet to see any bad performance by referees this year.

“What makes me very happy is that we are also yet to receive any single official complaint about our referees this year, I think that is a clear sign that we are doing very well,” said Muzambi.

“The first half of the season we performed very well and we are anticipating an improved performance in the second half of the season.

“Referees are aware that if they are found on the wrong side of the law by the committee they risk serious punishments.
“We told the referees about the consequences and I think that is the reason for this good performance,” he said.

“I know that there are some clubs who might feel hard done by certain calls but my advice to them is making official complaints so that we look into the issue.

“Clubs must not hesitate to appeal but they need to be factual when preparing their appeal it helps us a lot in the hearing of their case,” said Muzambi.

It is a big surprise however, that clubs who often complain about the level of officiating in this country are not making formal complains.

It remains unclear whether the decision by clubs against appealing is lack of confidence that they would get any recourse or whether it is influenced by lack of strong arguments against the match officials.

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LONDON. – Manchester City have suffered a blow in pre-season with an ankle injury to new signing Riyad Mahrez.
The Algerian international started his side’s International Champions Cup clash with Bayern Munich at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida where City came from behind to win 3-2.

Meritan Shabani and Arjen Robben had put the German champions into an early two-nil lead.
Bernardo Silva then came on to replace Mahrez and netted a brace either side of a goal from Lukas Nmecha. Speaking after the game, City boss Pep Guardiola said he was unsure as to the extent of the injury as he ponders a number of concerns ahead of his side’s first competitive match against Chelsea next Sunday, in the Community Shield.

He said: “I don’t know [the extent]. I wasn’t in the locker room. It was his ankle. We will see, maybe it is not a problem.
“I’m concerned for many things, for injured players, players who are still not here but I am so satisfied for what all of the guys on the tour have done.”
During the ICC tournament, City have lost 1-0 to Borussia Dortmund and 2-1 to Liverpool ahead of beating Bayern. – AFP.

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LONDON. – Jose Mourinho is now without 17 first-team players as Manchester United’s turbulent US tour continues.
Ander Herrera and Eric Bailly are now serious doubts to face Real Madrid in United’s final pre-season game across the pond.

Mourinho has nine players out injured, while a further eight still on extended breaks following their exploits in the Soccer World Cup in Russia this summer and not due back in training until this week.
Nemanja Matic is also sidelined for the foreseeable future after undergoing abdominal surgery.

And Mourinho is angry at United’s failure to deliver all the transfer targets he identified at the start of the summer.
Mourinho pulled no punches after his side’s 4-1 defeat to arch-rivals Liverpool in Michigan on Saturday, saying he had got “nothing” from the game – a theme that has run throughout the crisis-hit tour of the States.

United and Liverpool drew a crowd of 101 254 to the Big House but Mourinho said he would not have bought a ticket to watch the game – which is certain to anger organisers of the International Champions Cup.

It is understood United are being paid around £30million for playing in the ICC, with Mourinho having effectively told fans to stay away from their final game against Real, a potential money-spinner for tour organisers.

“The atmosphere was good but if I was them I wouldn’t have come,” said Mourinho. “I wouldn’t have spent my money to watch these two teams.

“I watched Chelsea against Inter earlier and people had decided the beach was better. The stadium was empty.
“This is not our team, not our squad. We started the game with almost half of the players not going to belong to our squad. So this is not our squad.

“If you say reinforcements, you’re saying players I’d like to buy, to add to the squad, then that’s another thing. But this is not even 30 per cent of my squad, so don’t look to this that way.

“In relation to this game, we have four or five players who are dead, because they care for the club, for the team.
“They tried to give everything, even risking themselves because they don’t want to let all the kids do it by themselves.
“We’re trying to play these matches as best we can. But we can’t do it. What did this game give me? Nothing at all.

“We’re not playing here to improve the team or the dynamic, we’re playing here to just survive and have some not very ugly results.”

Mourinho’s mood has not been helped by United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward’s perceived failure to deliver the transfer targets he identified before the summer break, with the window closing in just 10 days.

“In relation to this game, we have four or five players who are dead, because they care for the club, for the team.
“They tried to give everything, even risking themselves because they don’t want to let all the kids do it by themselves.
“We’re trying to play these matches as best we can. But we can’t do it. What did this game give me? Nothing at all.

“We’re not playing here to improve the team or the dynamic, we’re playing here to just survive and have some not very ugly results.”

Mourinho’s mood has not been helped by United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward’s perceived failure to deliver the transfer targets he identified before the summer break, with the window closing in just 10 days.

United have made three signings this summer, with Mourinho wanting a further two before the August 9 transfer deadline, but fearing he may only manage one – a grim scenario with his squad already severely depleted.

Mourinho wants to add Leicester’s Harry Maguire and Inter Milan’s Ivan Perisic but fears he will start United’s Premier League opener at home to Leicester the following night without a squad capable of a title challenge.

“I would like to have two more players, but I think I’m not going to have two,” said Mourinho. “I think it’s possible I’m going to have one.

“I gave a list to my club of five names a few months ago and I’ll wait to see if it’s possible to have one of these players.
“If it’s possible it’s possible, if not, it’s not. If it’s not possible, we keep fighting and working and believing in the players that we have.”

One player who will not start the season is midfielder Matic, who joined the tour in Los Angeles, only to be unable to train and then undergo surgery in Philadelphia, with him unlikely to play for several weeks.

Matic has flown back to Manchester, joining skipper Antonio Valencia, who left the tour early with a torn calf muscle, while striker Anthony Martial remains in Paris having also left the US for the birth of his second child.

“Matic arrived from the World Cup, then holiday and direct to surgery because something happened in the World Cup,” said Mourinho.

“Valencia came from holiday, I think too much holiday for him, because his condition was not good when he was back.
“Martial, he had the baby and after the baby was born, beautiful baby, full of health thank God, he should be here but he’s not here.

“So we have Alexis Sanchez and Juan Mata to play every minute in every match. Now we have Real Madrid and after that Bayern Munich.

“I just hope that the boys that are on deserved holidays, they take care about themselves a little bit.
“I also hope somebody wants to do what Marcus Rashford and Phil Jones decided to do, which is to be back a little bit earlier to try to help the team because, for the beginning of the season, we are going to be in trouble.” – The Daily Express.

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LONDON. – Neymar has used a sponsor’s television advert to admit he exaggerated some of his reactions after being fouled during the Soccer World Cup in Russia. The video, published on Sunday and broadcast on several Brazilian TV networks, features the 24-year-old forward accepting criticism for the first time and promising to pick himself up.

Neymar scored two goals in the tournament and was not too disappointing until his team got knocked out by Belgium in the quarter-finals, but fans and players have spoken much more about his theatrics on the pitch, which included dives, rolling and frequent arguing with referees.

“You may think I exaggerate. And sometimes I do exaggerate. But the truth is I suffer on the pitch,” Neymar said in the ad sponsored by Gillette.

Since Brazil’s elimination, Neymar only spoke about the defeat in Russia via Instagram. In the advert, he tried to explain why he did not speak right after the Belgium game, which fostered more criticism of his behaviour at home. “When I leave without giving interviews it is not because I only want the victory laurels. It is because I still haven’t learned to disappoint you. When I look impolite, it is not because I am a spoiled kid. It is because I have not learned how to be frustrated,” Neymar said. – Sky Sports.

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