Highlanders . . . (0) 2
Chicken Inn . . . (3) 3

CHICKEN INN are not just going to surrender the title race that easily and yesterday, they showed that they could still mount a real challenge on the leading pack when they produced a stellar performance to dismantle city rivals Highlanders in a five-goal thriller at Barbourfields Stadium.

BY SAKHELENI NXUMALO

A brilliant first half attacking display saw Chicken Inn threatening to tear apart Bosso, with goals by King Nasama, Moses Jackson and Obriel Chirinda giving them a comfortable lead into the half-time break.

They would slow down the tempo in the second half and allowed Highlanders to mount a recovery, but goals by Adrian Silla and Gabriel on the other side of the break proved too little to spoil the Chicken Inn party.

Joey Antipas’ men could have been four clear before the breather, but Nasama was denied his brace by the woodwork, as the visitors looked to run away with the game.

They remain third on the log standings with 44 points, eight behind log leaders FC Platinum and seven adrift of second-placed Ngezi Platinum Stars.

Antipas admitted that his team had struggled in the second half of the game, but said both teams had given the fans full value for their money.

“We had a storming first half, but it was a game of two halves, where we endured some tense moments towards the end, but it was good to hold on for a win and all in all I can say it was a top game from both sides,” he said.

His Highlanders counterpart Madinda Ndlovu paid tribute to his charges for their ability to up their game in the second half, but said he felt let down by his senior players.

“I think what we have to acknowledge is the good performance by our opponents who showed great hunger and desire and our game plan was dismantled by their early goal. Today, we were let down by some of the senior players whom I expect to take a leading role, but at the end of the day, I am happy that we managed to put up a brilliant second half display that consoled our fans,” Ndlovu said.

Highlanders paid the price for their failure to control the midfield in the entire first half, with Patrick Musaka failing to stamp his authority in the anchorman’s role.

The lack of a protective shield left the hosts’ central defence at the mercy of the visitors, who gladly took advantage and raced to an early lead through Nasama, who roasted McClive Phiri before firing past Ariel Sibanda in the Bosso goal two minutes into the match.

Sibanda would again pick the ball from the nets on 32nd minute when Jackson rose above the Highlanders defence to powerfully head home a George Majika corner kick that had been won by the impressive Chirinda.

Former Bantu Rovers striker Chirinda then registered his name on the score sheet on 42 minutes after a solo run that saw him dancing past the Bosso central defence before drilling the ball past an exposed Sibanda.

Musaka’s substitution by the Highlanders technical team six minutes into the second half immediately swung the pendulum in the hosts’ favour, as Silla then took up the holding midfield role and started dictating the pace in the middle of the park.

Silla went on to reduce the arrears for Bosso from the penalty spot on the hour mark after a goal-bound Newman Sianchali was brought down by Chicken Inn keeper Pride Zendera.
The dreadlocked Silla was later denied a brace by Zendera when the Gamecocks keeper pushed his long range stinger out for a corner.

The Gamecocks went on to endure a nervy finish after Nyoni headed home a cross from the right flank on 73 minutes.

Teams

Highlanders: A Sibanda, M Phiri, H Moyo, C Siamalonga, P Muduhwa, B Musaka (B Banda, 51), A Silla, G Nyoni, N Makumbe, T Sibanda, N Sianchali

Chicken Inn: P Zendera, P Bernard, B Nyahunzvi, M Jackson, L Sithole, I Mucheneka, S Munawa, G Majika, C Matawu (J Nyabinde, 87), O Chirinda, K Nasama (O Tarumbwa, 81).

The post Chicken Inn not giving up just yet appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

EARLIER this week, something hugely significant happened in the world of music when the King of Pop, Michael Jackson’s smash-hit album “Thriller,” was finally toppled from its position as the best-selling musical album of-all-time.

It’s a place the album had occupied for 35 years since it smashed all records just a year after its release on November 30, 1982, catapulting Jackson into greatness, and by the end of last year, the album had sold more than 66 million copies around the globe.

But nothing lasts forever.

And, this week, another American group, The Eagles, celebrated a milestone achievement when their “Greatest Hits 1971–1975” compilation took over pole position as the best-selling album of all-time. The Eagles, a rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1971, are one of the greatest musical outfits of all-time and have sold more than 150 million records around the world.

They are well known for their smash-hit song, “Hotel California,” released in February, 1977, which continues to be celebrated as one of the finest songs of all-time.

The BBC says the song is still being played more than 200 times a month on radio in the United Kingdom, while it is played once every 11 minutes on an American radio right now, and such has been its enduring appeal it has produced a number of cover versions. Such was its impact that when a United States spy plane made an emergency landing in China in 2001, the crew members were asked to sing the lyrics of that song as part of proving they were Americans because it was felt just about every American knew the song’s lyrics. But, for all their greatness, which this week moved a notch higher with their album taking pride of place as the best-selling album of all-time, The Eagles were not an oasis of tranquillity. There was a lot of turmoil in their house, ugly fights between the band members, and the band broke up in 1980, just three years after the release of “Hotel California,” and only reunited 14 years later in 1994. Don Felder, the lead guitarist who had been with the group since 1974, was fired from the band in unceremonious fashion in 2001 in yet another signal of the chaos that was consuming this outfit even though its popularity around the world continued to grow.

Glenn Frey recalled that while “Hotel California” represented the purity of their work, it also signalled virtually the end of their romance. “We no longer trusted each other’s instincts, so there was considerable disagreement,’’ he told The Independent newspaper.  “Plus, both (Don) Henley and I had developed drug habits, which didn’t help matters.’’

For all the drugs they consumed, the chaos, the break-ups, the firing of some influential band members and all the negativity associated with their journey, The Eagles continue to draw widespread appeal in the United States and around the globe.

You have to give it to the Americans for the way they place a significant value on their artists and sporting heroes, and find a way to celebrate their talents at the expense of their personal indiscretions. That is why Tiger Woods, for all his personal challenges that destroyed his marriage and pushed him into rehabilitation, still retains box-office attraction despite, now and again, failing to live up to the virtues of the role model that many expected from him. That is why even a deeply-flawed character like Donald Trump, who calls the mainstream media the enemy of the people, describes CNN and the New York Times as Fake News, and helps to buy the silence of some porn stars who says he had a fling with them in his past, can still retain his place as the American President. And, that is why a band like The Eagles still continues to dazzle the globe today with music recorded in the ’70s, despite all the drugs that became a part of their adventure, the chaos that was part of their DNA, the fighting between the band members, the acrimonious break-up in 1980 and a lot of other negatives associated with them.

TWENTY YEARS AGO, THE EAGLES SOARED AND SO DID THE GLAMOUR BOYS

Twenty years ago, in 1998, The Eagles were inducted into the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the first year of nomination for their special contribution to music in the world.

Twenty years later, their compilation of songs from 1971 to 1975 made history this week when it toppled Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” to become the best-selling album of all-time.

As if by some coincidence, the year The Eagles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was also the same year that Dynamos made history as probably the poorest side in the history of the CAF Champions League to reach the final of the tournament. A rag-tag side, which had lost some of its best players in the purge that followed another explosion of the in-house unrest which has become part of the DNA of these Glamour Boys, somehow found a way to punch above its weight.

They managed to avoid defeats on trips to Nigeria and Ghana, back in the days when picking a point there was the closest thing to a miracle in African football, to top their group and reach the final. They lost the final showdown to ASEC Mimosas amid all the controversy of that second leg plucked from hell in Abidjan when their inspirational captain Memory Mucherahowa was head-butted into unconsciousness during warm-up by hosts who had targeted him as the difference between their evil pursuit of glory and the possibility of failure in their backyard.

But, given their lack of resources, and the clear lack of quality in their ranks, with their main weapon being an indomitable spirit to fight for their cause as a united band of warriors whose never-say-die character was sent straight from heaven, this failure at the final hurdle shouldn’t have masked the fact that theirs was an heroic campaign. However, while the Americans are able to celebrate their heroes – sporting or otherwise – despite their flawed characters, including drug abuse, we have a constituency that has been leading the way to dismiss those Glamour Boys as failures, because, according to their argument, the world has no place for those who come second. That only FOUR Southern African clubs – Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, Nkana Red Devils of Zambia and these Glamour Boys – have reached the final of this tournament in the 53 years it has been held, hasn’t convinced some of these shameless critics that it’s not an easy journey to get there.

And that those who manage to do it should be held in high esteem, even on the occasions that they come short in the final, especially when they do not have the financial resources needed to triumph in such tournaments.

Today, very few people in this country still remember that someone like Vint Fulawo once played for Dynamos, and even featured in that Champions League final, or that the DeMbare success of that year was inspired by such players like Masimba Dinyero, Tonderai Mutambikwa, Farai Chigama and Lovemore Ncube, hardly household names when the country’s football stars are mentioned. Instead, we are ready to seemingly celebrate the fact that Arsenal reached the final of the 2006 UEFA Champions League and we consider those who lost to Barcelona 1-2 in that game as heroes because we have now been brainwashed to always have a soft-spot for the European clubs we support, to such an extent we see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil about them.

It’s very likely that some of us will run you the starting XI of that Arsenal line-up that night in France in 2006 – Lehmann, Eboue, Kolo Toure, Campbell, Cole, Pires, Gilberto, Fabregas, Hleb, Ljungberg and Thierry – but never knew that Vint Fulawo featured for DeMbare in that final in Abidjan, and like all these Gunners, ended up on the losing side.

That only THREE Southern African clubs – Pirates, Sundowns and DeMbare – have managed to reach the final of this tournament since it shed its old identity as the Cup of Club Champions and became the CAF Champions League 21 years ago, hasn’t convinced these critics that it’s not an easy journey to get there. Maybe, they know, but they are just blinded by a virus that stops them from appreciating the real value of what happens in their backyard, in an age where we have seemingly been on a crazy mission to either mock or destroy the legacy of our sporting heroes and paint a picture of their heroics as nothing to write home about. That probably explains why even when our PSL leaders decided to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of our domestic Premiership, they didn’t remember to honour those Glamour Boys of ’98, even when their heroics in the jungles of African football boosted the profile of our top-flight league like never before. For one reason or another, we are seemingly allergic to celebrating homegrown success stories, and we even celebrate when we hear that Kalusha Bwalya has been suspended, without giving him the opportunity to prove his innocence, while at the same time seeing nothing wrong that a man who served three years for defrauding his country millions in tax returns, Ulrich Hoenesse, can come straight from jail to lead the most powerful club in German, Bayern Munich.

We dismiss our black rap stars, Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G as having been agents of shame because of their indulgence in drugs, while at the same time find nothing wrong in buying the music of The Eagles even though the band’s members confirm that drugs were a big part of their adventure.

WHAT A STRANGE PEOPLE THAT WE ARE, OR WE HAVE BECOME

We mock Moses Chunga as having played for a second-rate Belgian club when the reality is that, at the time Bambo went to Europe, the doors were not as open to a flood of African footballers as is the case now, and only the very best made it to play the game on that continent.

That Kalusha, whom we acknowledge to be as good as footballers will ever come from this part of the world, was playing in that country, Belgium, by the time Bambo arrived, is lost to us in the mist of our relentless drive to try and not see the value in our homeboys. We don’t feel any sense of shame when the same Belgians invite Chunga, more than 25 years after he last played a game for them, for a special reunion with the fans because, as they said in their invitation, the supporters there are still talking about his exploits in their colours. We pretend not to hear their voices when they sing, “There’s Only One Moses Chunga,’’ as they welcome him. Neither does it shame us that he the Mayor of Aalst chooses to host him for his services to Eendracht Aalst by giving him the privilege to sign his name in the city’s Golden Book where he appends his signature alongside that of Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who is the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, the oldest ever spouse of a reigning British monarch.

Princess Mathilde, the Duchess of Brabant, who is the wife of the heir apparent to the Belgian throne Prince Phillipe, the Duke of Brabant, also have their names signed into the same Golden Book of the City. When we talk about Peter Ndlovu, we don’t seemingly find the pride of him being the first African to feature in the English Premiership, but, instead, we choose to focus on saying he played for an obscure and modest side, Coventry City, which we now mock as having slid down the leagues.

That he became the first visiting footballer to score a hattrick at Anfield against Liverpool on March 14, 1995, after Norwich City’s Terry Allcock in 1961, is all lost in the gloom of our negativity when it is supposed to provide us with a reason to see why our Flying Elephant was special. Some choose to find delight in discussing his marital challenges, which saw him being dragged into court, while the same people somehow deliberately choose to ignore the fact that the former Arsenal skipper Tony Adams, whom they worship because of their support for the Gunners, went to jail because of driving under the influence of alcohol. That the same Gunners retained Adams as their skipper, even as he served jail, and returned to take his captain armband, is lost among this group of critics.

Or that Woods had his own such problems. Some of them say Benjani was just a lucky chap, who wasn’t a very good footballer, and wasn’t supposed to play for Manchester City, but they turn a blind eye on some poor signings, even by Sir Alex Ferguson himself, like Frenchman William Prunier, who played only two games for the Red Devils.

Or Pat McGibson, who only featured once for United, Doug Fangzhuo, who made only three appearances, Massimo Taibi, who conceded 11 goals in his only four matches for United, and Ralph Milne, who failed to make even a single appearance in his final 18 months at Old Trafford before leaving for Hong Kong.

That one of us, Kenny Nagoli, even was good enough to pay for Pele’s Santos FC in Brazil, hardly matters to us, and — with time — the brilliance of our superstars like Jomo Sono, Godfrey “Ucar’’ Chitalu, Ndaye “Volvo’’ Mulamba, Ace Ntsoelengoe, Peter Kaumba, Kinah Phiri, George Shaya, Freddie Mukwesha, will be forgotten because no one will be there to tell their stories. And all that our kids will probably hear is that Kalusha was once banned by FIFA, that Jabu Pule Mahlangu had a drink problem, that the Bundu Boys had a drink problem, yet they will continue listening to “Hotel California,” and buying the music of The Eagles as if the American group never touched drugs and were virtual saints.

JOKE OF THE WEEK

When Khama Billiat won the man-of-the-match award during Sundowns’ 1-1 draw against Chiefs, his former coach Pitso Mosimane asked, live on television, whether the winner had been selected by text messages from the fans.

He disputed the award with the words, “what did he do?’’

On Sunday, Khama turned 28 and Pitso’s conversation with Robert Marawa was given a new funny meaning:

Marawa: Coach, it’s Khama Billiat’s birthday today, any present for your former player?

Pitso: Is this an sms thing again like that Shell Cup?

Marawa: What?

Pitso: Who chooses birthdays for footballers?

Marawa: God

Pitso: Okay.

Marawa: Do you think it’s not Khama’s birthday today?

Pitso: What did he do?

To God Be The Glory!

Come on Warriors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Khamaldinhoooooooooooooooooo!

Text Feedback – 0772545199, WhatsApp Messenger – 0772545199. 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 onwww.sportszone.co.zw. You can also interact with me on the informative ZBC weekly television football magazine programme, “Game Plan”, where I join the legendary Charles “CNN” Mabika and producer Craig “Master Craig’’ Katsande every Wednesday night at 21.15pm.

The post TWENTY YEARS LATER ,THEY STILL SANG, THERE’S ONLY ONE MOSES CHUNGA’ appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Petros Kausiyo Deputy Sports Editor
JUST over a month after their flirtation with the Rugby Sevens World Cup in the United States, Zimbabwe’s Cheetahs will return to continental duties when they assemble next week for a tour of Zambia that will kick start their Africa Cup preparations.

The Cheetahs found the going tough on the global stage and returned from the AT&T Park in San Francisco, United States with just one victory — a Bowls play off clash against Jamaica which they won 33-21.

Cheetahs coach Gilbert Nyamutsamba has however, shifted his attention to building for the next Africa Cup campaign as well as Zimbabwe’s bid to qualify for the next Olympic Games.

Nyamutsamba yesterday outlined a comprehensive programme which he would want the Cheetahs to follow starting on Tuesday when they get together for the Lusaka Sevens on September 1-2.

The Cheetahs coach said they would put everything to ensure they succeed in the Africa Cup and be guaranteed more World Series tournaments.

“Africa Cup is our main focus…it’s the pathway to Hong Kong qualification. As for now we have Zambia and Maseru, and we will use the two tournaments in preparation for Africa Cup

“For the Zambia tour the team will have bulk of locally based players and for the two build-up tournaments the team is to assemble on Tuesday.

“There is also the intention of using Zambia as a developmental tournament, where we take mostly local and upcoming players, with a few seniors to stabilize the team,’’ Nyamutsamba said.

Nyamutsamba also said the locally –based players would as part of preparations train in Harare and Bulawayo until they go into camp.

“Camp will commence on Monday the 27th of August until Thursday the 30th of August. The team will travel to Lusaka by road on Friday the 31st of August and return on Monday the 3rd of September.

“For the Maseru 7s, which is on 22 – 23 September, camp will commence on Tuesday the 18th of September until Thursday the 20th of September.

“The team will travel to Johannesburg on the 21st of September on the early morning flight then travel by road to Maseru from Johannesburg,’’ Nyamutsamba said.

After the tours of Zambia and Lesotho, the Cheetahs’ next port of call is Tunisia on October 13-14 October.

“Camp will commence on the 4th of October until the 9th of October and the team for that tournament will depart for Tunisia on the 10th of October and will return to Zimbabwe on the 16th of October.

“As we do not have much time between now and Africa Cup. We will not be having trials for beginners or first time Sevens players at this stage. This is normally done in January and March.

“However club coaches, national age group coaches and Sables coaches are free to recommend players that they think are Sevens ready and should be given an opportunity’’.

Nyamutsamba also outlined how he would go about the selection for the Africa Cup games.

“All players that were part of the Sables tour of duty will be given a week’s rest and thereafter will have to make themselves available for Sevens training. All players that were not part of the World Cup training camp in July and all players who did not participate at the World Cup are to attend a minimum of two camps and to have played in at least one tournament before Africa Cup selection.

“Players who were part of the World Cup camp but not part of the tour should be available for at least two training camps. Local players who played at the World Cup should make themselves available for all three camps.

“Foreign based players who played at the World Cup should make themselves available during the Africa Cup camping period to be eligible for selection. Availability for all three tours will, however, increase selection chances,’’ Nyamutsamba said.

It will also be show time at the Machinery Exchange stadium at Harare Sports Club this afternoon when local giants Harare Sports Club and Old Georgians clash in the Harare League Cup final.

Both clubs have been boosted by the returns of their Sables internationals from Rugby Africa Gold Cup duties in Uganda. Flyhalf Lenience Tambwera, national captain Denford Mutamangira and his fellow forwards Cleopas Kundiona and Lucky Sithole are among the Zimbabwe internationals who are back for Sports Club duties as is coach Daniel Hondo who is Peter De Villiers’ assistant in the Sables.

Sports Club new signing Brandon Mandivenga was also with the Sables in Kampala where he had a fine game in the national team’s 38-18 victory.

OGs will no doubt count on the experience of veteran flanker Fortune Chipendu for inspiration in this crunch game which could either way.

Tambwera for whom Sportivo’s kicking options will depend predicted a tough battle but reckoned that his side would have the edge and indicated that he was eager to serve his club again.

“We joined the local guys on Tuesday and I must say the team is really focused and ready for the game. They are also happy to have us back from national duty.

“It’s been long since I last played in that red and white jersey and it’s an honour to be putting it on in a club final after missing so many games on national team duty,’’ Tambwera said.

The post Cheetahs back in action appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Defending champions, FC Platinum are desperate to collect maximum points when they take on tricky side, Bulawayo Chiefs, one of the three teams that have conquered them so far this season.

BY TERRY MADYAUTA

The match will be played at Mandava Stadium and FC Platinum know that it’s a potential banana skin having been slayed in the reverse fixture.

Bulawayo Chiefs have already beaten Ngezi Platinum Stars and Highlanders.

FC Platinum are seeking to maintain pole position on the log table, following a forgettable midweek trip to the capital, where they were handed their third defeat of the season by Harare City.

They remain at the summit of the log with a one-point advantage over Ngezi Platinum and today Chiefs will be looking to throw more spanners in the works.

Chiefs were the first team to defeat FC Platinum in the reverse fixture played in April.

This presents another testing time for the platinum miners in their title tussle with Ngezi who make a trip to Rusape tomorrow for a date with Mutare City Rovers.

Addressing a Press conference in Zvishavane yesterday, FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza admitted that his side was under pressure, but maintained confidence that they will be the eventual winners.

“There is massive pressure, I think in 2016 we were in the same position with five games to go before the season ended, then we lost to Harare City in turn surrendering top spot to Caps United,” Mapeza said.

“We ended up finishing second. This season, it is a different situation because we are focused and united, which is the best for us at this stage. We know the challenges not only with big teams, but everyone in the league. All the games will bring different challenges but we will pull through to the end. I am glad we have a fully fit squad without injuries and it’s now left to those that will be selected for the match against Bulawayo Chiefs to deliver,” he said.

On paper, FC Platinum have a very strong squad, but Bulawayo Chiefs have proved to be giant killers this term.

The championship-winning coach has called on his charges to respond after dropping points against the Sunshine City Boys.

“It’s a massive game for us, we all know what happened during the first half of the season and I think they started the second half well and we know the challenge.

“We have to respond after dropping points in Harare, so we just hope everything goes well for us to get maximum points.

“We have been in this situation before, where there is a point difference between us and the number two on the log, but all we need here is belief, confidence, remaining united and focused until the end of the season.”

Mapeza’s charges have been blowing hot and cold in the second half of the season, where they have already lost two matches.

On the other hand, Bulawayo Chiefs coach Garthly Chipuka will be looking forward to continue with the winning momentum, having won his last two encounters against Harare City and Mutare City.

The post Giants meet giant killers appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Sports Reporter
WARRIORS coach Sunday Chidzambwa has continued to cast his selection net wider and yesterday reached out to unheralded United States-based striker Luckymore Mkosana ahead of the national team’s camp for the African Cup of Nations trip to Congo.

Mkosana plays for Penn FC in the Major Soccer League.

Chidzambwa said he had added more players to his initial squad to cushion them in the event they do not secure passports for some of the European-based players he has targeted.

There are also some doubts over the availability of the in-form Nyasha Mushekwi for the September 9 game in Brazzaville.

“Nyasha is scoring goals, we are banking on him and if you look at his Chinese League video footages, he is playing a game of his life and we need such kind of a player in these matches,” Chidzambwa said.

Injuries have forced the withdrawals of a number of players including France-based forward Tino Kadewere, midfielders Ovidy Karuru, Marvellous Nakamba and defender Costa Nhamoinesu.

Warriors team manager Wellington Mpandare said Mkosana who is 30 years old went to the United States as a student and has a valid Zimbabwean passport. The Warriors team manager said the striker’s stature appears to suit the bill for what Chidzambwa is looking for. “In the 13 games he has started he has scored nine goals and one assist. He is heavily built I think he can give us something since we have doubts with Nyasha.

“He has been in the US most of the time, he went to college there, briefly played in Finland and returned to the States,’’ Mpandare said.

The Warriors technical crew have also added the Golden Arrows pair of Knox Mutizwa and Danny Phiri, Bloemfontein Celtic defender Ronald Pfumbidzayi and Ngezi Platinum Stars captain Liberty Chakoroma.

Chidzambwa has also been keenly following matches in the South African Premiership and monitoring the performances of Zimbabwean internationals.

The veteran coach will no doubt also have been impressed with the way Terrence Dzukamanja has quickly settled at Bidvest Wits and carried on with the form he showed during the COSAFA tournament in Polokwane in June.

The post US-based star for Warriors squad appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Tadious Manyepo

Sports Reporter

HARARE giants Dynamos and CAPS United would have to fight another day in their Castle Lager Premiership clash with the famed derby being shelved yesterday to pave way for the DeMbare against Bosso showdown which will now be part of events to mark President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s inauguration at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow.

DeMbare and Makepekepe had been billed to battle it out at Rufaro tomorrow.

However, both ZIFA and the Premier Soccer League confirmed yesterday that Dynamos and Highlanders would now play during the State event at the National Sports Stadium.

ZIFA Communications actions and Competitions manager Xolisani Gwesela confirmed the DeMbare, Bosso game while PSL Chief executive Kenny Ndebele issued a statement announcing the rescheduling of fixtures that had been affected by the inauguration ceremony.

“The Zimbabwe Football Association hereby confirm that it has organised a match pitting Dynamos and Highlanders to celebrate His Excellency President Mnangagwa’s inauguration on Sunday 26 August 2018 at the National Sports Stadium. The match kicks off at 3pm,” said Gwesela.

This will be the third meeting between the two teams this year after Dynamos beat Bosso in the Commander Zimbabwe National Army’s Charities Shield final early this year before the Bulawayo giants exerted some revenge in the league encounter at Rufaro months later.

Dynamos and Highlanders are still to play their reverse league fixture and tomorrow’s clash before an expected bumper crowd could be a dress rehearsal of that game.

In their statement the PSL said apart from the Harare Derby two other fixtures which have been shelved include that pitting Black Rhinos against Harare City who were scheduled to play at the National Sports Stadium as well as the duel between struggling Shabanie and Highlanders which had been pencilled for Maglas.

The PSL, however, said all the other fixtures will go on as scheduled.

“The Premier Soccer League would like to advise the PSL Clubs, and its entire stakeholders that the Castle Lager Match Day 24 fixtures featuring Dynamos/CAPS United, Shabanie Mine/Highlanders and Black Rhinos/Harare City have been postponed to pave way for the inauguration of the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, on Sunday 26 August 2018.

“The new dates of the said fixtures will be announced in due course. The rest of the other Match Day 24 fixtures will proceed as scheduled” read the statement.

Log leaders FC Platinum have the chance to restore their four-point lead at the top at least for 24 hours when they tackle Bulawayo Chiefs at Mandava this afternoon.

This is before second-placed Ngezi Platinum Stars play Mutare City at Vengere tomorrow.

In the only match to be played in Harare this weekend, Herentals, fresh from an inspiring win over Bulawayo City on Wednesday, entertain Chapungu at Rufaro this afternoon.

Chicken Inn welcome ZPC Kariba at Luveve tomorrow while Triangle have a date against Bulawayo City at Gibbo on the same day. 

Fixtures

Today

Herentals v Chapungu (Rufaro)

FC Platinum v Bulawayo Chiefs (Mandava)

Tomorrow

Mutare City v Ngezi Platinum (Vengere)

Nichrut v Yadah (Ascot)

Chicken Inn v ZPC Kariba (Luveve)

Black Rhinos v Harare City (Postponed)

Shabanie v Highlanders (Postponed)

Dynamos v CAPS United (Postponed)

Triangle v Bulawayo City (Gibbo)

The post DeMbare, Bosso for ED inauguration appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Minister Kazembe Kazembe has hailed the senior netball team after they secured a maiden ticket to the 2019 World Cup to be hosted by England.

The Gems put up a remarkable show at the joint World Cup qualifier and African Championships in Lusaka, Zambia, last week to earn their place at the global event.

Kazembe said the latest achievement by the senior side was an indication of the potential netball has as the national teams have continued to put the country on the world map. Last year the Under-21 side made its debut appearance at the World Youth Cup in Botswana.

“I am equally overjoyed as a Minister mandated to preside over sport by the qualification by our senior netball team for the first time to the World Cup to be held in Liverpool, England in 2019.

“The convincing performances by the Gems were a compelling statement on potential and talent residing in our domain and a clear indication of our country’s netball latent power in raising the national flag. “Following our recent show of character in Zambia, and mindful that this is not the first time our netball teams have carved success stories, it gives me great joy to appreciate the efforts invested by our players, coaches, administrators, corporate world as well as the netball community,” said Kazembe.

The tournament in Lusaka attracted seven countries with Malawi, who had already qualified for the World Cup because of the International Netball Federation world ranking vying for the African title that was eventually won by Uganda. South Africa also qualified for next year’s event by the virtue of their rankings and did not take part in Zambia.

This left six countries – Uganda, Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe contesting for the two slots that were available for the World Cup.

Zimbabwe and Uganda claimed the two spots to be part of next year’s event to take place from July 12 to 21, in Liverpool, England.  Kazembe pledged Government’’s support for the team as they shift their focus to the World Cup.

“Our desire as a Ministry is to ensure that our athletes and coaches are oriented and conditioned in the fundamental areas befitting an event of this magnitude such as the psychological, physical, cognitive and morale aspects of the game through engagement of specialists to prepare our girls for the event. “Furthermore, as a Ministry we stand ready to support the Gems in arranging friendly matches particularly with renowned World powerhouses. As the Ministry responsible for Sport, we have not ceased to support our national teams in terms of creating a conducive environment to perform better.

“In order to ensure that our netball team participates successfully at the World Cup, Government will continue to render support available to the national teams through SRC. However, there is need for the corporate world to assist both financially and in kind,” Kazembe said.

The post Kazembe hails the Gems appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Herentals coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva is optimistic that his team will collect maximum points ahead of their clash with Chapungu in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Rufaro Stadium this afternoon.

BY Garish Phiri

Chapungu, who sit precariously close to the relegation zone, won the reverse fixture and Herentas will be looking to make use of home advantage and win this one.

Mutiwekuziva has a clean bill of health and will want to follow up on their mid-week win over Bulawayo City with another set of three points.

Their form has seen them win two of their last five matches, losing only once.

“We are ready for the game, we have prepared since we have our full squad back in training. The morale in the camp is high as we managed to collect maximum points from our last encounter against Bulawayo City. William Kapumha and Brighton Majarira are back in the squad and that has given us a boost,” he said.

Ninth-placed Herentals have collected 30 points so far, with a nine-point buffer with the relegation zone while Chapungu have 24 points.

Herentals will be without forward Archmore Majarira, who is out due to suspension.

The post Herentals look to school Chapungu appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter

TOP karateka Samson Muripo is confident of another fruitful outing when he battles it out in the IKOKU South Africa International Karate tournament in Cape Town today.

The international tournament is featuring fighters from different countries including powerhouses Japan. Muripo, who will compete in the open weight category is leading a 13-member team and is the most senior among the fighters.

The renowned karateka has so far had a good year posting some positive results including coming first in the Young Master Kumite (36 to 46 years) Open weight at the World So-Kyokushin All-Japan tournament in Shizouka, in April.  As he returns to action today, the 40-year-old said he is looking forward to carrying on with from where he left and the team had a light training session yesterday afternoon.

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Mukudzei Chingwere Sports Reporter

FC PLATINUM coach Norman Mapeza has implored his charges to fight back after their grasp on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer league league’s ultimate price was loosened with a defeat to Harare City on Wednesday.

The championship winning coach is worried that history could repeat itself as the last time that they lost to Harare City in 2016, they went on to relinquish spot to CAPS United with five games to go and they failed to recover from that set back.

Mapeza conceded his charges are now under pressure but rallied them to take comfort from the one-point cushion they have above second placed Ngezi Platinum Stars on the log standings. Ngezi will only be in action 24 hours later when they travel to Rusape to face Mutare City at Vengere.

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Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter

THE Zimbabwe Defence Forces select golf team left the country yesterday for the World Military International Golf competition (CISM) set for Munich, Germany from today until September 2.

The team led by Simon Nyowani has eight members who include five men and three women.

Zimbabwe’s National Army were also part of the annual event last year when Sri Lanka hosted the tournament and they managed to return home with an award for a nearest the pin accolade.

Speaking ahead of their departure yesterday Senior Army Officer in the ZNA charities secretariat Fabian Chitungo said they are expecting to have an improved performance this year.

“We are going to be representing the country at this year’s CISM golf tournament which is good for cultural exchange and development of the sport within the military.

The post ZDF team off to Germany appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

By Munyaradzi Madzokere

Every time she falls, somehow she manages to rise up again.

After losing her last two professional fights, especially the first-round knockout by Chiedza Homakoma in the national lightweight title fight in April, many thought it was the end of veteran female boxer Monalisa Sibanda’s career.

In the aftermath, sponsors and coaches lost their faith in her and deserted her.

But the trailblazing female pugilist has another opportunity to rewrite her history as she takes on Everline Edero at the Treasure Gardens in Nairobi, Kenya, next Saturday.

The fight is a Women’s International Boxing Association (Wiba) super-light- weight world title.

For Sibanda, who recently registered a trust, Dynamite Girls, to identify and cater for young boxers from disadvantaged communities, it is much more than just a fight.

“This upcoming fight is an opportunity to raise funds and resources to finance Dynamite Girls Trust. In a week I could be a world champion again,” she told Standardsport.

“This world title fight is a promise to the girl child that we can do it. I am happy that there are many women in boxing now and I actually inspired many of them. So, this fight is my life, it’s about Zimbabwe, it’s my answered prayer, my miracle and I am going to do my best.”

Six years ago, Sibanda had an opportunity to claim the Wiba crown, but she lost to Zambian Esther Phiri.

And out of the blue, Wiba through Caleb Kuya of Osaga Promotions in Kenya, decided to give the Zimbabwean another chance.

With new sponsors and a state-of-the-art gym, Sibanda is enjoying a new lease of life.

Even her training regime, no matter how gruelling it is, is far much bearable and enjoyable.

Her day starts with a 10km run, followed by a two-hour boxing workout and later training children in Highfield and Mabvuku. Hopefully, it’s enough to win her a world title.

“After the rejection I had gone through with my former coaches and sponsors, I went home and literally cried. I prayed to God for another chance Now I feel that I can win more titles,” she said.

“Forget about the retirement, I am going to fight on. I will still fight until I raise enough resources for the trust. Dynamite is going to grow.”

Sibanda is being coached by former national champion Fernando “Shinga Chidzo” Tom, who believes that the boxer had lost her identity and fighting style.

“Monalisa had changed her fighting style and now she is back to her fighting way,” Tom said.

“I knew her when she started and I know how good she is, so we are looking forward to a lot of wins. She has at least five more years.

“After winning the Wiba world title this week, we are looking to picking at least four more titles.”

Sibanda expressed her gratitude to her sponsors for the Kenya trip Tarisai Scott Sakupwanya for the air tickets, as well as Kyma Gym for training facilities.

“My biggest interest is the fact that she is a female boxer. Women in sport are either discouraged or are not promoted as much as men,” Otis Goredema said of the boxer.

“For me, it’s a calling to give Mona as much advantage as possible in the sport. I believe she is going to make us proud in Kenya. Just the mere fact that she is going to represent Zimbabwe means she is a winner already.”

Sibanda’s project Dynamite Girls Trust, is a concept she has carried since 2005 and they came up with the idea along with other female boxers back then.

Registered this year, Dynamite Girls Trust has 25 promising young boxers, with some as young as five years old and eight adults.

Sibanda trains the children at the backyard of a friend’s house in Highfield and outside a bar in Mabvuku.

It is her desire to get assistance in getting a piece of land to set up a centre. She has also invited corporates to buy into her vision.

The post Sibanda Gets Second Chance appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Ricky Zililo in Bulawayo
Chicken Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
ZPC Kariba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
FORMER Castle Lager Premiership champions Chicken Inn put up a lacklustre performance to give up their eight-match unbeaten league run when they fell to visiting ZPC Kariba at Luveve yesterday. Veteran striker Tawanda Nyamandwe scored the only goal in the 31st minute, dinking the ball over diving Chicken Inn goalkeeper Pride Zendera.

Nyamandwe perfectly timed his run to beat the offside trap after being cleverly set up by Moses Demera.
The defeat left Chicken Inn 11 points behind log leaders FC Platinum, who are on 55 points. ZPC Kariba moved a place up the table into 10th with 30 points.

After his charges made only two attempts at goal in the 17th minute when Obriel Chirinda failed to beat ZPC Kariba goalkeeper Takabva Mawaya from close range and Last Sithole’s 86th minute shot was pushed out for a corner, Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas conceded defeat.

“It’s a sad development, but it’s part of the game. It was disappointing because we didn’t play our normal game due to injuries to key players like Clemence Matawu and George Majika, so we had to shuffle things around.

“I thought the tempo of our game wasn’t neat, the intensity wasn’t there I thought the passing was a bit slow, the transitions were slow. Also attitudes, you know when you’re on a good run, sometimes attitudes creep in, bad mentality so we were just not in it.

“Credit to ZPC Kariba, who were hungrier than us. In football if you haven’t got that hunger and desire, you struggle like we did today. We need to shake up; defensively we were not right and even the attack wasn’t good,” said Antipas.

Majika missed the encounter with a groin injury, while Matawu has a shin problem. Chicken Inn also missed skipper Moses Jackson through suspension after accumulating three yellow cards.

ZPC Kariba could have won the encounter by at least three goals, but Nyamandwe twice failed to beat Zendera in the second half.

The power generators were tactically disciplined, choosing to sit back and soak the little pressure that Chicken Inn piled.
The visitors never allowed Chicken Inn to get into their penalty box, restricting the Gamecocks to playing in the middle of the park.

ZPC Kariba coach Godfrey Tamirepi was elated with his third win in Bulawayo this season, having beaten Highlanders 2-1 in May and Bulawayo Chiefs 2-0 in June.

“Bulawayo has been a good hunting place for us. We had a good start in this game, though it was a bit difficult. We got it right by taking the chance that came our way. If we had allowed Chicken Inn to come into the game, it was going to be difficult for us,” said Tamirepi.

Teams:
Chicken Inn: Pride Zendera, Passmore Bernard, Ben Nyahunzwi, Last Sithole, Kudzai Chideu (Obidiah Tarumbwa, 69th minute), Simon Munawa, Nicole Mutatiwa (Wellington Kamudyariwa, 46th minute), King Nasama (Darryl Nyandoro, 46th minute), Innocent Mucheneka, Obriel Chirinda, Nicholas Mucheneka
ZPC Kariba: Takabva Mawaya, Tsepo Ranthokoane, Munyaradzi Kunyarimwe, Ian Nekati, Sylvester Appiah, Collen Muleya, Talent Chamboko, Moses Demera (Peter Ghani, 83rd minute), Bornface Zuberi, Tawanda Nyamandwe (Francisco Zekumbawire, 87th minute), David Temwanjira (Tawanda Munyanduri, 50th minute)

The post ZPC win on the road appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

MENDOZA. — Rassie Erasmus, the South Africa Rugby Director of Rugby, described the Springboks’ 32-19 defeat to Argentina in the second round of the Rugby Championship, on Saturday evening in Mendoza, as embarrassing.

One week after suffering a 34-21 defeat at the hands of the Springboks in Durban, the resurgent Pumas produced a physical performance to snap an 11-match losing streak in front of an ecstatic crowd at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, following a 27-7 lead at half-time.

Erasmus was brutally honest in his assessment of the Springboks’ poor performance: “It was embarrassing and not the kind of performance you expect to see from the Springboks.

“We made only one change to the starting team from last week, when we dominated them. We have to point the fingers to ourselves, firstly as coaches and then as players, and we will have to fix it.” — Sport24.

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LONDON. — Arsenal manager Unai Emery denied reports of a rift with Mesut Ozil after the ill German star missed Saturday’s 3-1 win over West Ham.

It was claimed Ozil stormed away from Arsenal’s training ground on Friday after Emery told the midfielder he wouldn’t start against West Ham.

The 29-year-old was replaced in the Arsenal starting line-up by Aaron Ramsey for the London derby at the Emirates Stadium.

But after Arsenal came from behind to secure his first English Premier League victory, Emery insisted Ozil had been struggling with a cold that meant he wasn’t well enough to train or face West Ham.

“Maybe in English it’s difficult to explain. That information isn’t true. I don’t know who started this, he was sick yesterday,” Emery said when asked if he had fallen out with Ozil.
“He spoke with me and we decided he would not to play. — AFP.

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LONDON. — “The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means,” says Oscar Wilde’s Miss Prism. Football, sadly, isn’t like fiction. Good teams can be unlucky; rotten, negative, teams can get away with murder. Yesterday, however, justice was done.

The player that Newcastle tried to kick off the park scored Chelsea’s opener; the player that could have been sent-off for elbowing an opponent put Chelsea’s winner through his own net.
The team that travelled away and tried to win got three points.

The team that enjoyed less than 20 per cent of the ball playing at home got nothing.
Newcastle do not have Chelsea’s resources, we know that, but Brighton are a few quid short of Manchester United too, and that did not curb their ambition eight days ago. Newcastle were unlucky against Tottenham on the opening day of the season but not here.

They got what they deserved from this match as did Chelsea, whose 100 percent record under Maurizio Sarri has been maintained.

This was a determined performance in difficult circumstances, given the way Newcastle tried to nullify Eden Hazard by fair means or foul. He rose above it, the best player on the pitch and one who never stopped trying to take Newcastle on, no matter the battering he received.

The win was controversial, according to the locals. They left complaining bitterly about referee Paul Tierney and the penalty award, and cursing the rotten luck that befell DeAndre Yedlin with two minutes of normal time remaining, but these are red herrings.

The penalty was a penalty and was converted by the best player on view; Yedlin jabbed an elbow into Olivier Giroud’s face on his way to creating Newcastle’s equaliser, so his later misfortune was hardly a cause for violins.

Benitez will argue that his team were level with Chelsea in the 88th minute, 120 seconds plus injury time from a draw with an elite opponent that hopes to contend the title.

Had it been level at the end, Newcastle would have been praised for their resilience, particularly given a makeshift defence missing Jamaal Lascelles and with playmaker Jonjo Shelvey absent from midfield.

In those circumstances, Benitez would have insisted the end justified the means, so perhaps it is just as well that Newcastle took nothing from this match.

This love for the underdog cannot be unconditional. Bravery and ambition must be part of that narrative, too, and it is hard to argue Newcastle showed either, given the limitations of their play. Few neutrals will have pitied them when the cards finally fell Chelsea’s way.

Some think Tierney did Chelsea a favour with the penalty but he certainly didn’t do them too many over the other 89 minutes.

Some of the treatment meted out to Hazard reminded of a Monday night against Stoke, under Jose Mourinho, when he was lucky not to be kicked out of the game entirely.

He needed two lengthy periods of treatment to make it through the first-half here, but a Newcastle player was not booked for fouling him until the 65th minute.

Fabian Schar was the culprit and maybe that event was still on Tierney’s mind when he sent Marcos Alonso tumbling in the area less than ten minutes later.

Maybe, too, Tierney had at last realised that Newcastle had been taking advantage of his leniency all game, and had been systematically targeting Hazard and others.

They thought Chelsea could be roughed up, slapped back to London. They were proven wrong.
In his challenge with Alonso, Schar got some of the ball, the top mostly, but not the meat of it. His follow through, however, became a scissor challenge that left Alonso sprawling, a reckless attempt in the penalty area. Unjust? Unjust is what had preceded it; 74 minutes that nearly removed Hazard from the game.

It was fitting, then, that he was the one to put his shot past goalkeeper Martin Dubravka to give Chelsea a deserved lead. Now, had the next goal ended up affecting the outcome, that would have been a travesty. Not only was it against the run of play, but the build up included a blatant foul that could have caused serious injury.

Newcastle had broken down the right, the ball was loose and, challenging for it, Yedlin gained an advantage over Giroud by shoving an elbow into his face.

It did not appear accidental either, not one of those acts that is the product of a robust battle for supremacy. Yedlin looked like he deliberately repelled his opponent with a jab and Giroud fell to the ground, leaving him clear. Even so, credit where it is due, his cross was outstanding and the finish perfect.

Yedlin whipped in the ball, perfect height, perfect position, and it was met by substitute Joselu at the near post.
Newcastle, having played with scant ambition all game, were level.

That is where it would have ended, had the home team not retreated to a default position, conceding territory and possession and ending up defending a Willian free-kick taken from midway in their half.

The ball was played back across goal where Alonso — the best attacking defender in the Premier League statistically — hit a lot shot that startled Yedlin near the far post. He stuck out a boot and diverted it into his own goal.

In one respect it was tough on Newcastle because with Lascelles mysteriously absent — the official club line was injury, the grapevine suggested conflict with the manager — this was a largely scratch defence, with two of the three central placements on debut, and left-footer, Schar, on the right.

It is testament to the coaching skills of Benitez that they resisted Chelsea, with so little respite, for so long. Equally, for all Chelsea’s pressure, Newcastle’s lone chance of the first-half was probably the best of the game.

It came in the 34th minute, a cross from Federico Fernandez met by Salomon Rondon, who was unable to get it on target despite being given the space for a free header.

Yet this was an exceptional event, a rare moment when Newcastle revealed the potential to inflict lawful damage on Chelsea.
Little of the rest was pretty and no amount of David v Goliath bluster or hard luck tales will justify it. Teams considerably poorer than Newcastle will try to give Chelsea more of a game this season, and some may even succeed.

That’s a good thing. Football shouldn’t just be about beautiful football, aesthetics and artistry; but it still needs the good guys to win more often than not.

The post Late own goal gives Chelsea victory appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Collin Matiza Sports Editor
THE third round of the 2018 hp lubes/Castrol Drag Racing Series, which was scheduled for Donnybrook Raceway in Harare yesterday, was postponed at the eleventh hour due to the inauguration of President Mnangagwa. President Mnangagwa was sworn in as the new Head-of-State of Zimbabwe at the National Sports Stadium yesterday and the Sables Dragpro Club, who run the motorsport of drag racing in this country, said they couldn’t go ahead in staging the third round of their national series as it clashed with this important national event.

“After some consultation with a number of stakeholders in the drag racing family, including our sponsors and competitors, we decided to postpone the third round of the 2018 hp lubes/Castrol Drag Racing Series, which was scheduled for Sunday, August 26 at Donnybrook Raceway in Harare, as it clashed with the inauguration of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

“We have, therefore, decided to reschedule our event to Sunday, September 9 at the same venue and any inconvenience caused to the drag racing competitors and fans alike is sincerely regretted,” said Mano Zevgolis of the Sables Dragpro Club in a brief statement.

Meanwhile, the country’s top female motocross rider Tanya Muzinda has received another big morale booster ahead of her proposed tour of the UK and United States in the next couple of weeks when an Italy-based company — Alpinestars — came on board and announced that it will be one of her main sponsors this year.

Muzinda (13) is first expected to compete in the UK Girls Nationals at Brookthorpe in Gloucestershire, England, on September 29 and 30 before she flies out to the United States for the annual Thor Winter Olympics which are scheduled to run from November 19 to 24 in Florida.

And Muzinda at the weekend revealed that she has found another big international sponsor ahead of her trip to UK and the United States.

“Another big endorsement by one of the biggest and powerful gear companies in the World,” Muzinda posted on her Facebook wall on Saturday.

“I am glad to announce to you our great fans and family that we now have a new gear/uniform sponsor — Alpinestars of Italy.

“We have received a couple of pants, jerseys, neck braces, gloves, kit bag and the latest riding boots the Tech version. It has come right on time as l prepare for the biggest races in my career ahead in a few weeks time.

“I would like to thank my mentor and International Manager, Stefy Bau, a former three-times World Women’s Motocross Champion, for working so hard despite her busy schedule in San Francisco, United States.

“I’m thankful to our Italian family to make this happen and l promise l will make you proud by working hard to achieve my goal of becoming the first (female rider) from Africa to be a World Champion wearing the signature gear of Champions.”

Alpinestars is the world-leading manufacturer of professional racing products, motorcycling airbag protection, high-performance apparel and technical footwear. It is also the manufacturer of clothing and protective gear for motorsports and action sports.

Founded in 1963 and located in Asolo, Italy, its line include specialised products for MotoGP, motocross, motorcycling, Formula 1, NASCA, mountain biking and surfing.

Some top riders sponsored and who wear Alpinestars products are MotoGP World Champions Marc Maquez, Casey Stoner and Jorge Lorenzo.

They also sponsor Formula 1 teams Renault sport F1, Williams and several other teams.
“I hope that we will have more partners in my journey. It’s a lonely road and with your support we will get to the top on one fine day,” Muzinda added.

She is now part of the new all-female motocross racing team – T61 Racing Team — which was recently formed in Harare. T61 Racing Team will be the home of all young aspiring female riders who would like to venture into the tough world of motocross riding in this country.

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MUTARE CITY………….. (1) 1
NGEZI PLATINUM…………. 0

NGEZI Platinum’s posit of table-toppers FC Platinum suffered a setback when they were beaten by relegation-threatened Mutare City in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Vengere Stadium in Rusape yesterday.

BY HENRY MHARA IN RUSAPE

Victory would have taken Ngezi to within a point of log leaders FC Platinum, but the Mhondoro-Ngezi side was frustrated by the home side, who played one of their best games of the season, as they enhanced their chances of beating the drop.

Mutare City goalkeeper Bezel Mukunyadze played a huge part in the victory, with some vital interventions, especially in the second half.

For Ngezi, although they created some decent chances, they just didn’t seem to be up for the challenge.

Their performance left their coach Tonderai Ndiraya a disappointed man.

“This result is very damaging. We played badly today. The attitude, the commitment was not there and everything was not right. The pitch was very difficult, but it’s no excuse.
We just have to get results everywhere we go, even under the water, if we really want to win the championship. That is what I have demanded from the players. I’m disappointed by the way we defended today, we were very poor. We created so many chances which we failed to put away, and when you do that you lose. We need to improve going forward, if we entertain any chances of winning the league,” Ndiraya said.

Mutare City, on the other hand, are gathering momentum at the right time in their bid to survive relegation.

They have won two of their last three matches and are now two points from safety.

Their coach Ndega Matsika was emotional at the final whistle, as he raced on to the pitch to hug his players.

The team has won four matches this season, but yesterday’s was sweet for Matsika.

“It’s a big result for us since we came as underdogs. I want to say thumbs up to my boys. They did very well. These points are very vital to us since we are trying to survive relegation. This was fantastic performance and this one is a very sweet victory,” Mandega said.

Ngezi had a wonderful opportunity to crank-up the pressure on the leaders with a victory against a team playing with its back against the wall.

But they soon found themselves down from a Billy Vheremu screamer on the break.

From a Ngezi corner, Mukunyadze cleared the ball to Hussen Zvakavapano, whose long pass released Vheremu, who killed it with his first touch before firing from outside the box to beat Nelson Chadya in goals for the visitors.

Ndiraya’s men showed glimpses of enterprise after the early setback, but the home goalkeeper was scarcely called into action.

More frustratingly for Ndiraya was his side’s failure to punish Mukunyadze, who made numerous schoolboy blunders in the first half.

Chasing the game, Ngezi started the second half well, but still couldn’t trouble Mukunyadze.

Teams

Mutare City Rovers: B Makunyadze, P Gumbo, T Kabanda, L Mangaira, K Bingala, J Takunda, H Zvakavapano (D Mangezi 71), B Mushunje (K Njovo 79), J Chitavira, B Vheremu, V Tadzoka.

Ngezi Platinum Stars: N Chadya, T Mabvura, (H Moyo 80), L Chakoroma, K Bulaji, G Murwira, T Chipunza (S Owusu 60), K Murera, F Makarati, M Chawodza, J Ngulube (W Mukanga 83), D Teguru.

The post Ngezi setback appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Dynamos ……………(1)2
Highlanders ………..0

Goals from Kudakwashe Kumwala and Quality Kangadze were enough to ensure that Dynamos were crowned champions after they beat Highlanders in the President Inauguration Cup held at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.

BY GARISH PHIRI

Dynamos fielded a strong side while Highlanders paraded their reserves, in a match that marked President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s inauguration.

DeMbare settled in early courtesy of Kumwala’s strike in the sixth minute. He managed to capitalise on a mistake by Highlanders goalkeeper Prosper Matutu who failed to clear the ball for Kumwala to easily tap in.

Highlander defender Bongani Ndlovu was given his marching orders after he handled Kudzai Dhemere’s shot which was destined for goal with the goalkeeper already beaten on the 71st minute.

From the resultant penalty, Kangadze managed to beat Matutu for DeMbare to double their lead.

Dynamos coach Lloyd Mutasa was delighted with the victory.

“We did very well. The only difference was the two goals that we scored. We are happy; we are in a celebratory mood like every other Zimbabwean. The youngsters did well, there were good combinations. There was a desire to beat Highlanders,” he said.

Highlanders coach Mandinda Ndlovu was not moved with the loss as he used the match to prepare for the next season and give non-regular players game time.

“There was nothing much to read about in this game. We didn’t read much into winning, but it was about giving players that didn’t have game time an opportunity,” he said.

“You can see that we have gone into the twilight of the league, we don’t want to get to the end of the season while we haven’t accessed them or giving them game time. Most of the players that played today are youngsters. We want to see if we can keep them for the next season” he said.

Teams

Dynamos: B Mwandimutsira, P Dube, O Mwerehari (P Makaha, 26′) O Mushure, J Tigere, J Marufu, M Mukamba, K Dhemere, P Mtasa, Q Kangadze, K Kumwala(T Macheke, 83′)

Highlanders: P Matutu, B Ncube (N Sinachali, 64′) A Silla, B Banda, G Makuruse, A Mbeba, M Ndlovu, V Moyo, M Chitambwe, T Sibanda, G Nyoni

The post DeMbare win Inauguration Cup appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

CHICKEN INN……………….. 0
ZPC KARIBA… ……………(1)1

CHICKEN Inn’s eight-match unbeaten run came to a screeching halt when they lost against ZPC Kariba in a match played at Luveve Stadium yesterday.

BY FORTUNE MBELE

Tawanda Nyamandwe scored in the 31st minute after he was set up by Moses Demera to give his side the lead that they managed to hold on to.

The goal came after Chicken Inn had pressed the power utility side from the outset, but young strikers Nicole Mutatiwa and Nicholas Muchadeyi were wasteful while Obriel Chirinda, who has been instrumental of late, was off-form yesterday.

Chicken Inn continued to harass the visitors in the second half, but the goals could not come.

There was a close shave for ZPC Kariba 10 minutes before full time when Muchadeyi’s effort hit the side-net while defender Last Sithole fired a bullet from outside the penalty box in the 85th minute, but ZPC Kariba goalkeeper Takabva Mawaya was equal to the task. Chicken Inn head coach Joey Antipas said his team was affected by the absence of injured key players − Clemence Matawu and George Majika and suspended Moses Jackson.

“Today’s result was a sad development, but it’s part of the game, you win some and lose some. We did not play our normal game because of injuries and the intensity was not there,” Antipas said.

ZPC Kariba also had their fair share of chances in the second half, but Chicken Inn goalkeeper Pride Zendera was in good form between the sticks.

Their coach Godfrey Tamirepi said Bulawayo has been a good hunting ground for them as they have won four matches in the city.

“Bulawayo has been a good hunting ground for us. We did our level best playing against the former champions,” Tamirepi said.

TEAMS

Chicken Inn: P Zendera, Passmore Bernard, Ben Nyahunzvi, King Nasama (W Kaumdyariwa 46′), K Chideu (O Tarumbwa 69′), S Munawa, N Mutatiwa (J Nyabinde 46′), Innocent Mucheneka, O Chirinda, N Muchadeyi, L Sithole

ZPC Kariba: T Mawaya, Tsepo Ranthokoane, Ian Nekati, Sylvester Appiah, Collen Muleya, Talent Chamboko, Moses Demera (P Ganhi 83′), Bornface Zuberi, David Temwanjira (T Munyanduri 50′), T Nyamandwe (L Mvundla

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