MANILA. – A potential blockbuster rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather moved a step closer as the Filipino icon confirmed he has signed with Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions (PBC).

Eight-weight world champion Pacquiao said he would close out his storied career by facing “top PBC fighters” in announcing late on Monday the tie-up with influential Mayweather adviser Haymon’s organisation.

“My team will work closely with Al Haymon for the remainder of my career to deliver the most anticipated fights with the top PBC fighters,” Pacquiao said in a statement.

“Those are the fights the fans want to see and the ones I want to have to close out my career,” he added.

Pacquiao said last week that he was “90 percent” sure a bout with former four-division world champion Adrien Broner would happen in January, possibly in Las Vegas.

“Pacquiao’s first defence of the World Boxing Association welterweight world title will kick off the new partnership,” Haymon’s PBC said in a statement without giving further details.

“The new alliance will have team Pacquiao and Haymon work together to navigate the remainder of his illustrious career,” it added.

The deal could pave the way for a Pacquiao-Mayweather rematch of the 2015 mega fight which generated a record 4.6 million pay-per-view buys earning $600 million and ended with the American winning on points.

Unbeaten Mayweather, who hasn’t fought since knocking out mixed martial artist Conor McGregor last year, said in September he would come out of retirement to face Pacquiao later this year.

The American (41) has since hinted at taking a warm-up fight first, talking on social media of a “huge boxing event” in Tokyo and then last week said he would be willing to accept a challenge to fight against McGregor’s MMA conqueror Khabib Nurmagomedov.

The deal with Haymon represents a new chapter for the 39-year-old Pacquiao, who has been promoted for the majority of his 20-year professional career by Bob Arum’s Top Rank organisation.

“I wish him the best of luck, a tremendous warrior, and whatever he’s doing in the future, he deserves,” Arum said of Pacquiao on Fighthub TV in Las Vegas at the weekend.

Pacquiao pumped new life into his storied career in July when he delivered his first knockout in nine years against Lucas Matthysse of Argentina.

Ahead of the fight against big-punching Matthysse, Pacquiao said he considered himself the “underdog”, but he rolled back the years to register a 60th win and take the Argentine’s WBA welterweight belt.

The post Blockbuster rematch edges closer appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Sports Reporter
AS the ZIFA election season reaches its business end with focus shifting to the polls to choose a new board, moves to disrupt football governance have returned to haunt some of the protagonists of the Sandton Project whose bans earlier in April make them ineligible to take part in the process.

The nomination process for the board elections including that of the president opened on October 16 and will close on October 30.

ZIFA’s electoral committee are overseeing the process which started with the July 21-22 elections for the Area zones.

However, it has emerged that the key actors of the Sandton Project including the pair of former ZIFA board members Felton Kamambo and Piraishe Mabhena were handed three-year bans in April, a month after taking part in the bid that was thwarted by the Philip Chiyangwa leadership and scoffed at by FIFA.

The Sandton Project — a clandestine mission meant to paralyse operations at ZIFA — exploded in March when the pair of Kamambo and Mabhena quit the association claiming their mandate had expired.

Kamambo and Mabhena then called on Chiyangwa and two other principal figures — Omega Sibanda and Philemon Machana to also resign, triggering a severe backlash from the game’s other leaders who said the move was meaningless and it would be business as usual at the country’s football controlling body.

When Mabhena and Kamambo quit their posts on the ZIFA board the association’s leadership noted that it was a co-ordinated attack on the organisation given it came on the same day Trevor Carelse-Juul, a serial campaigner for the top post in domestic football who has lost in the last two occasions, released a statement sharply criticising the state of the game in the country.

Carelse-Juul, the South Africa-based businessman, claimed in his statement the Warriors had “failed” to qualify for the 2018 World Cup finals when the reality is that they never took part in the tournament after being expelled without kicking a ball.

ZIFA leaders then compiled a report dubbed “The Sandton Project” after a number of local football leaders meet in Sandton, Johannesburg, where they hatched a plan to paralyse operations at the Association to trigger elections, as quickly as possible, where they hope to install a new leadership.

It was after that report that both Kamambo and Mabhena were each handed three-year bans as did other actors who included former ZIFA bosses Vincent Pamire, Rafik Khan and Carelse-Juul.

However, Kamambo tried in vain yesterday to register to participate in the December 1 polls for the board before being reportedly reminded of the ban that was handed down in April.

“Pursuit to your resignation letter dated March 28, 2018 the Executive Committee of ZIFA met to consider your position.

“It was noted that your purported resignation is at law not legally valid as you had actually ceased to attend three board meetings without being excused.

“Further the extremely serious reports of abuse of office for sexual favours towards orphaned and vulnerable members of the Mighty Warriors is subject of investigation.

“Consequently the Executive Committee resolved to provisionally you from association football activities for a period of three years.

“You can participate in association football after confirmation of your full rehabilitation and clearance by the law enforcement agencies and association,” wrote ZIFA chief executive Joseph Mamutse on April 19.

Mabhena was also charged for his alleged role in the abandoned December 10, 2017 ZIFA Congress.

The Electoral committee will after the October 30 close of nominations meet to determine the eligibility of the candidates in line with the electoral code.

The post No ZIFA polls for Sandton project actors appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
ORLANDO Pirates may have torched the flames ahead of their sold out ABSA Premiership Soweto derby showdown with Kaizer Chiefs with the Buccaneers claiming they opted out of signing Khama Billiat before he moved to Amakhosi.

Billiat is poised to play an influential role in his first Soweto Derby since joining Chiefs at the start of the season following the expiry of his contract with Mamelodi Sundowns.

Pirates are understood to have made the first steps to secure the Zimbabwean international when he made it clear that he would not be renewing his deal with Sundowns.

There have been reports that the two parties failed to agree terms, resulting in Chiefs latching on to capture the talented midfielder.

But Pirates claim not to have lost the race for Billiat’s signature, but chose not to sign him for other reasons.

The Buccaneers assistant coach Rhulani Mokwena yesterday revealed his team dropped their bid to bring Billiat at the Orlando Stadium due to other factors.

Pirates were reported to have been in talks with the player before he joined Amakhosi as a free agent from Mamelodi Sundowns.

Billiat was said to have been offered a signing on fee of R2 million, but rejected it, triggering speculation that Chiefs put a better deal on the table. But, according to IOL, a South African news website, Mokwena said: “We had lots of talks with Khama, myself and the player. We were very close to bringing him to the black and white. But we decided to protect the changing room more than anything else.”

The gaffer said the decision came after considering factors like injuries.

“The ratio between the expense, and when I say expense I am not only talking about the salary because I heard a lot of talk about that. But the expense with regards to injuries, and certain other factors and for the profit that we thought we would get, we thought it did not make sense (to sign the player),” Mokwena added.

While Pirates apparently decided against signing Billiat due to his “deteriorating form” at Sundowns, if the claims by Mokwena are anything to go by, the midfielder has since regained top form at Amakhosi.

The high-flying Billiat has settled in well at his new home, scoring five goals and dishing four assists in the 13 appearances he has made in all competitions so far this season.

His exploits have seen him winning the ABSA Premiership September Player of the Month.

Kaizer Chiefs supporters are now trooping back to the stadiums as their team is once again playing with the zest they are known for, with Billiat at the thick of things.

Billiat is also set to play a key role in the Soweto Derby on Saturday.

He is in such devastating form that the entire Orlando Pirates team are wary of his instinctive skills which could decide one of the biggest derbies in the continent.

While Billiat will line up for Amakhosi along with veteran compatriot Willard Katsande as well as Teenage Hadebe, other Zimbabweans Kuda Mahachi and Marshal Munetsi will be hoping to triumph in Pirates colours as the five countrymen take part in the famous encounter.

So much will be at stake as the two biggest teams in the South African Premiership will be chasing more than just three points.

The post Billiat gears for explosive derby appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Petros Kausiyo Deputy Sports Editor
FC Platinum gaffer Norman Mapeza, standing on the threshold of guiding his miners to a successful defence of their championship title, has set a new trend by becoming the first man to win four Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Coach of the Month awards.

Mapeza was voted Coach of the Month for September, with the panel of journalists, club captains and coaches, once again agreeing that he had outshone his counterparts in the 18-team league.

It is his 11th monthly award since Mapeza returned to the club coaching trenches in the Premiership when taking up the FC Platinum job on August 11, 2014.

Mapeza’s earlier awards this season, came in the months of May, June and August.

The former Warriors coach — the first man to guide a team from outside of Harare and Bulawayo to the domestic championship in 50 years — has helped FC Platinum assert their growing status in Zimbabwean football.

After shaking off a late charge by Dynamos to win the 2017 championship and with it FC Platinum’s maiden title, Mapeza has not looked back and has ensured that the Zvishavane miners did not become a one-season wonder.

His first Coach of the Month award for this year which arrived in May, coincided with FC Platinum’s resurgence as Mapeza’s men picked the pieces from the ashes of their disappointing CAF Champions League run, which ended at the preliminary stage.

Seasoned Angolan campaigners CD Primeiro de Agosto of Angola dumped them out.

Primeiro were last night actually eight minutes away from completing their Champions League fairy-tale with a place in the final beckoning, only to be eliminated by Tunisian giants Esperance who came from behind to beat them 4-2 on a night that Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe took centre stage for his controversial officiating that aided the hosts secure their triumph.

Esperance’s Anice Badri struck five minutes from time at the Stade Olympique de Rades last night to hand the North Africans a 4-3 on aggregate passage into the final.

The manner in which Sikazwe’s decisions, especially that of disallowing what appeared a genuine third goal for the Angolans that would have sent them through, sparked memories among Zimbabwean fans of how Egyptian referee Gehad Gerisha had broken their hearts last Tuesday.

Gerisha denied Knox Mutizwa what appeared a genuine winner for the Warriors against DRC in a Nations Cup Group G qualifier at the National Sports Stadium.

But for Mapeza, the journey to another championship success story with FC Platinum has been laced with individual accolades for the gaffer, which also stands him in good stead to retain the Coach of the Year award.

His charges could also yet become champions with three games to spare should they pass the Chicken Inn test at Mandava this afternoon and if nearest rivals Ngezi Platinum fall to Harare City at Rufaro.

Mapeza was yesterday naturally excited at having been recognised by the voting panel that has on four occasions this season chosen him to be the best coach.

“I think it is a massive achievement as a coach and as a club to have won these awards.

“Hard work and dedication is the secret behind it all and also the unity within the club.

“I think it is also a pump up for the other coaches who are also involved in the voting,’’ Mapeza said.

The 46-year-old coach also lauded his striker Rodwell Chinyengetere, who has been enjoying another fine season and leads the goal-scorers’ charts.

Chinyengetere has also featured prominently on the Player of the Month awards podium and won the September accolade.

“As for Rodwell, I think it is because of hard work and he has been an inspiration to his teammates,’’ Mapeza said.

Although he stands on the threshold of guiding FC Platinum to an unprecedented second successive championship, Mapeza reckoned that the biggest battle he faces in the title run-in was managing the players’ mental strength.

“Now it’s all about mental strength. We have done a lot to be where we are now. We have travelled the longest part of the journey, but we have to push for the remainder and that is where we are.

“As a club we need each other more now so that we can make the final push for the title,” Mapeza said.

FC Platinum have already been chosen to represent Zimbabwe in the next Champions League edition to be played under the new CAF calendar.

But Mapeza, who played UEFA Champions League football with Galatasaray of Turkey, knows too well the joy of winning on the continent after domestic success.

Mapeza insisted that he would not put his players under pressure for early success and would rather see out the remaining games without a defeat.

But FC Platinum have also been warned that they have to fight for the championship if they have to put up a strong fight if they are crowned champions again.

Chicken Inn’s Joey Antipas said the miners would have to earn their success at Mandava this afternoon.

FC Platinum enjoy a comfortable seven-point lead at the top and need at least two wins to be absolute about the 2018 championship.

Chicken Inn had been one of the major title contenders before they faded along the way and left it a two-horse race between the Platinum miners of Zvishavane and Mhondoro.

“One thing for sure is that we do not make it easy for anyone in whatever competition we play.

“We are out of the title race, but we want to be party spoilers. We want also to end the season on a respectable position and that starts with getting a win away in Zvishavane.

“FC Platinum is playing good football of late, but we are also determined to finish strongly. It will not be an easy game for anyone. We are ready for the match and the boys are motivated for the game,” Antipas said. “Last time we did not do very well in the league, but we are confident of a good game this time around,” said Antipas.

The post TREND – SETTING NORMAN appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

By Sydney Kawadza in Chinhoyi

THE abundant football talent found across Zimbabwe should be harnessed for the country to go beyond its huge potential and win notable tournaments across the continent.

Zimbabwe, a nation that has produced some best exports, could also be a huge source of talented sports-people if the necessary measures available are put into practice.

This, according to soccer legend and former Warriors captain Moses “Bambo” Chunga, entails active participation from both the government and the corporate world.

The Dynamos legend, who was a guest of honour at the inaugural Mabgwe Madzima Under-20 Invitational Soccer Tournament in Zvimba during the weekend, said the government had set the right tone for the development of sport in Zimbabwe.

“There are legislative and other provisions that can promote the development of sport in Zimbabwe and in soccer, there is abundant talent, not only for Zimbabwe to win major tournaments but to export more players,” Chunga said.

The four teams — Highway, Matoranjera, Chitomborwizi and Portlett — played in a knock-out tournament with Chunga picking up seven outstanding players who will be invited to Harare to train with Castle Lager Premier Soccer League teams.

The tournament’s winners received a full soccer kit and two soccer balls, second prize being two soccer balls and the third prize one soccer ball.

Chunga also hailed efforts by the tournament’s organisers for nurturing talent in the rural areas where there was nascent talent waiting to be discovered.

“The corporate world should join hands with organisers of such tournament so that our national team selectors can have a large pool of players to select representatives for our country,” he said.

“If my memory serves me well, I think there was one player from our community who played in the then Super League.

“However, in athletics our community has great ambassadors to emulate the Gwanzura brothers who rose from this community and landed in America and Canada through sheer determination and persistence.

“We should have a culture as a community to laud such achievements by our own and use such achievements to inspire future generations within the community in whatever sport they pursue.” Madzima called for the training of teachers in various sporting disciplines to upgrade their skills so that they impart best skills to the children.

The recent appointment of swimming legend Kirsty Coventry as the Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation has brought excitement and hope for the growth of sp

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FOUR years after his last dance with club football, former Warriors coach Callisto Pasuwa is back in the trenches of the league game and got off to a good start in his new job as head coach of Malawian soccer side Nyasa Big Bullets at the weekend.

Pasuwa last Friday ended a long hiatus from active coaching that spanned nearly two years, when he inked a short-term contract with the Malawian giants.

He has been out of a job since parting ways with the Warriors after their failed African Cup of Nations campaign in Gabon in February last year.

As he returned to the coaching trenches, Pasuwa got the kind of welcome he desperately needed when his side beat Dwangwa United 2-0 at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday afternoon and edged closer to winning the Malawian TNM Super League title. Bullets opened up a four-point lead over second-placed Silver Strikers with three games in hand.

The ex-DeMbare coach was unveiled by the club on Friday with the mandate to win the championship and lead them into CAF Champions League.

Big Bullets marched closer to the title after a strike in each half from Chimango Kayira and Chiukepo Msowoya. As much as it was a good take off for Pasuwa, the victory eased pressure on the entire technical panel after the club had experienced a barren spell stretching more than three games.

The duo was fired following a disappointing loss of form and their failure to meet their targets.

Nyasa Bullets top of the 16-team league table with 55 points from 23 games. They opened a four-point barrier between them and the second-placed Silver Strikers, who, however, have played three games more. Bullets, who were adopted by former Malawian President Bakili Muluzi in 2003, boast of 13 league titles, a CAF Champions League group stage appearance and are also on course for their 14th league title. Pasuwa joins Bullets with a rich CV having led Harare giants Dynamos on an unprecedented run of four consecutive Premiership titles between 2011 and 2014.

He also helped the Warriors qualify for last year’s Nations Cup finals in Gabon, his team achieving the feat with a game to spare.

Bullets CEO Fleet-wood Haiya said the club has set him the target of lifting the Malawi league title and guarantee participation in next season’s Champions League and with ambitions to reach the group stages. Haiya said they have given Pasuwa a two-and-half month contract with a long term agreement on the horizon if he impresses.ort in Zimbabwe.

The post Pasuwa in Winning Start appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

MARUME Classic men’s physique2018 champion Blessing Sithole hailed the level of competition he received from other athletes who took to the podium at the College of Music over the weekend. The 27-year-old Sithole managed to put aside the competition of pre-tournament favourite Tinotenda Ryan Gumbo, Genius Gwara and Tafadzwa Mikiya who came second, third and fourth respectively.

“I am very excited to have managed to defend my title I thank everyone who turned out to support me. I think this is all through hard work I was working tirelessly at Empire gym and its all result of the effort I put in. I have been preparing for the contest since the beginning of the year and I am happy for the organisers who put up a good show. “I also give credit to my sponsors Raw Sports and my coach Simba Mhaka and Garry Noble who worked tirelessly with me during preparations,” said Sithole.

Gideon Teguru won the senior men body building, getting the of Francis Chideme while Paul Bako won the men’s fitness open which had Marshal Mutemeri and Petros Mazhata taking second and third places.

Ngonidzashe Gwama was judged the best junior men bodybuilder beating Nigel Chiza and Darrel Makwasha.

The post Sithole Crowned Marume Classic Champ appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

THE Castle Lager Premier Soccer League championship title is now virtually for FC Platinum to lose after the defending champions took giant steps towards the Promised Land at the weekend by opening a seven-point lead at the top.

In fact, the Zvishavane platinum miners could wrap up a second successive title race tomorrow if they win their home match against Chicken Inn in the event that their nearest rivals Ngezi Platinum lose away to Harare City.

FC Platinum moved to 68 points following the 1-0 away to Nichrut while Ngezi continued to lose ground with a goalless draw against Chapungu which left them on 61 points.

Norman Mapeza’s men will move to 71 points tomorrow if they are victorious and will have an unassailable 10-point lead if Ngezi lose to Harare City with three games remaining in the season.

FC Platinum gaffer Norman Mapeza nevertheless explained that things are not as easy as they look.

The champions host Chicken Inn tomorrow at their Mandava fortress and will play relegated cross town rivals Shabanie Mine next.

In their last two games, they host Ngezi Platinum before travelling to Bulawayo to bring the curtain down on the 2018 season with what is most likely to be a dead rubber against Highlanders. However, despite what looks like a favourable fixture schedule ahead and with the way closest rivals Ngezi Platinum have been blowing hot and cold, Mapeza insisted that it is not over yet.

“It is about mental strength, we have travelled and like I said during the first half of the season it is a marathon.

“(It is like) we have been running for about 996km and it is only four kilometres to go we have to push, these last four games will not be easy for us but we just have to push,” he said.

“We still have two more games away from home and I have talked to the boys we still have to push.

“If we maintain the same mentality with the same attitude like we did against Nichrut I think we will be okay,” said Mapeza.

FC Platinum forward Rodwell Chinyengetere has proved himself a cut above the rest in what has largely been a mediocre season.

Chinyengetere, who is favourite to retain the Soccer Star of the Year award scored the solitary goal at Nichrut.

He has now moved his goal tally to 16 and is also leading the race for the Golden Boot award. The miners are out of the Chibuku Super Cup and will have another mini-break before the league’s deciding matches.

The post FC Platinum On the Cusp appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Oscar Rusenga in Triangle
Triangle . . . (1) 1
Mutare City . . 0
TRIANGLE bounced back to winning ways by defeating and condemning struggling Mutare City Rovers to Division One football after this Castle Lager Premiership match at Gibbo yesterday.

The Lowveld side were coming from a frustrating 1-0 defeat against Herentals last Sunday.
Mutare now become the second side after Shabanie Mine to be demoted to second tier football and they will compete in the Eastern Region Division One.

The visitors were uninspiring against a much changed Triangle side yesterday.
Triangle rested most of their regular players as they prepare for a crucial Chibuku Super Cup semi-final tie against Dynamos at Rufaro on Sunday.

Nhamo Lameck, Phineas Bamusi, Russel Madamombe, Ralph Kawondera, Arnold Chivheya did not start as they were all rested for Sunday’s clash.

Triangle consolidated their position in the elite top four as rivals Chicken Inn, Harare City and CAPS United all failed to collect maximum points yesterday.

Taurai Mangwiro’s men got their solitary goal through Elfinos Kamunda on the half hour mark as he benefitted from clever ball by man-of-the-match Pasca Manhanga.

Kamunda tapped in an easy goal after a miscue from young Patrick Magegedhla. Mangwiro praised his charges and dedicated the win to the home fans before shifting his focus to the Dynamos game.

“It was a well handled match after a circus at the weekend. I don’t think the losing coach has any problems with today’s officiating and that must be commended. Our fans were emotionally tortured in our last match against Herentals and this one is for them.

The post Mutare relegated appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Yadah Stars boosted their chances of remaining in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League with an important win over struggling Caps United at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.

BY GARISH PHIRI

It was the third defeat on the trot for Caps United and the fans openly expressed their anger to coach Lloyd Chitembwe who had to come out to address them. In his post-match comments to the media, Chitembwe noted that his team has been struggling with chance conversion.

“The scoring part is missing in our game. We played as if the match was of less significance. I am very disappointed especially when fans come and are expecting something. We really need to change a lot of things especially for next year,” he said.

On the other hand, Yadah coach Thomas Ruzive hailed his side’s performance, as they enhanced their survival hopes.
“I think we are one leg out of the relegation battle, but the war is still on. We just have to work extra hard so that we get out of the red zone,” he said.

Yadah’s first goal came through veteran striker Ralph Matema and they doubled their lead four minutes into the second half.

Leeroy Mavhunga converted a penalty that came after Matema was felled in the box by Godwin Goriyati.
Caps United got a consolation goal through Valentine Musarurwa’s set piece in the 57th minute.

The post Another Caps defeat angers fans appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

CHITTAGONG. — Bangladesh won the second ODI cricket match against Zimbabwe at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong by seven wickets yesterday. Earlier, Brandon Taylor top-scored with 75 as Zimbabwe made 246-7.

Asked to bat first in a must-win contest, Zimbabwe lost skipper Hamilton Masakadza (14) but Taylor, with two useful knocks from Sean Williams (47) and Sikandar Raza (49), guided the visitors to a competitive score.

Taylor, who was reprieved on 42 by TV umpire after being given leg-before initially, struck nine fours and a six in his 73-ball innings. Young all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin claimed highest 3-45 for Bangladesh.

The home side won Sunday’s opening match of the series by 28-runs. The third and final match of the series will be held at the same ground on Friday.

In yesterday’s match,after the fast bowlers significantly slowed Zimbabwe down to a middling 246 for 7 – they looked set to double their score of 147 for 2 at the halfway mark – openers Liton Das and Imrul Kayes struck aggressive half-centuries to give Bangladesh a series win.

The pair added 148 to ensure Bangladesh’s passage was a smooth one, victory coming in the 45th over when Mohammad Mithun pulled a long hop for six to take an unassailable 2-0 lead.

Mohammad Saifuddin, playing in only his fourth ODI, left a mark with a three-wicket haul that bottled up pressure towards the end overs.

Then heavy dew made the ball greasy, thereby hampering Zimbabwe’s bowling plans. This played into the hands of the Bangladesh openers who shellacked their way towards the target, wiping off half the runs inside the first 25 overs, before Liton fell looking to hit inside-out. Beaten by turn and dip, he sliced a flighted delivery to point to fall for a 77-ball 83.

As Liton sped away, Imrul consolidated and was the recipient of a reprieve in the 24th over on 58 when Brendan Taylor put down a tough chance. But soon after Liton fell, Sikandar Raza then removed Fazle Mahmud for his second successive duck – he became fourth Bangladeshi to earn this unwanted feat in his first two ODIs. Having fluffed the opportunity on the first grab, Taylor somehow managed to complete the stumping.

Bangladesh recovered from that little spell quickly as Zimbabwe gifted Imrul another life on 71 when Mavuta dropped him at midwicket off Doland Tiripano. Mushfiqur and Imrul added 59 runs for the third wicket before the latter fell to Raza at long-off in the 38th over. Mushfiqur and Mohammad Mithun then added the remaining 36 runs for the fourth wicket, as Zimbabwe’s woeful 2018 continued.

But it could’ve been so different. Brendan Taylor started aggressively, picking off runs without playing a shot in anger. It seemed he was set, but all the build-up came crashing down when he played an inopportune reverse sweep to be dismissed on 75.

All along, Sean Williams was just pottering along, giving Taylor company before he realised the need to step up. He consolidated and was three short of a half-century when he bottom-edged a cut to the wicketkeeper to break a 41-run stand with Raza. This somewhat denied Zimbabwe a late flourish, even though Raza and PJ Moor stuck in and took the innings deep before a clutch of wickets threw them back.

The post Chevrons lose again appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Mutare City Rovers were relegated from the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League yesterday after they lost to
Triangle in a match played at Gibbo Stadium.

BY KENNETH NYANGANI IN TRIANGLE

They went into yesterday’s match with the faintest of hope of survival, and their fate was sealed with three matches still to be played this season.

Rovers joined Shabanie Mine who were the first to be relegated.

Triangle got their solitary goal from Efinos Kamunda on the half-hour
mark.

Rovers interim gaffer Ndega Matsika, however, promised a quick return to the topflight league.

“The performance was very good. We are relegated now but we are going to make a quick return to the Premier League and we are going to come back a stronger side,” he said

Rovers have endured a tough

season where they have so far managed just five wins from 31 matches and for the greater part of the campaign they have barely looked like they would lift themselves out of the relegation zone.

They head back to the Eastern Region Division One where they will be hoping to recharge and mount a strong campaign to win back a place in the topflight next season.

The post Mutare City Rovers relegated appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Collin Matiza Sports Editor
EPWORTH football fans are once again in for a treat this Saturday when they converge at Kubatana Primary School for the finals of the fourth edition of the Mwalimu Kumbula Soccer Tournament. The finals are set to start at 9am.

The tournament, which was inaugurated in 2015, is the brainchild of one of Epworth’s most illustrious sons — Musekiwa Kumbula — who named it after his son Mwalimu when he discovered the passion he had for football and felt the urge to uplift the community by giving opportunities to young, talented footballers there.

Musekiwa Kumbula told The Herald yesterday that there will be three finals for three age-groups – Under-14, Under-17 and seniors – at this year’s tournament.

The teams for this year’s Mwalimu Kumbula tournament were once again drawn from the ZIFA Epworth Area Zone League and the league’s chairman, Innocent Chinosengwa, said yesterday that 35 sides were involved in the preliminary rounds of this event.

“In the Under-14s we had nine teams and an equal number of teams in the Under-17 section while in the seniors, we had 17 teams taking part.

“And what we did is that we had four groups of four teams for the seniors who played in a round-robin format and the top two teams in each group automatically qualified for the semi-finals where Liverpool Stars and Chiremba FC emerged as the finalists for this Saturday’s final.

“We used the same format for the Under-14s and 17s; and the final of the former age-group will feature Liverpool Stars and Chiremba FC while the final of the latter age-group will see Liverpool Stars battling it out for the top honours with Epworth Saints,” Chinosengwa said.

He also said that preparations for this Saturday’s finals were at an advanced stage and urged the soccer-loving community of Epworth to come in their hundreds to watch this football fiesta at Kubatana Primary School.

The Mwalimu Kumbula soccer tournament was inaugurated in 2015 with less than 20 junior and senior teams taking part, but the last two editions of this event saw the numbers of the participating sides growing as more than 40 teams took part in the knock-out stages of last year’s competition.

Last year, there were 18 teams in the seniors division and an equal number in the Under-13 and 16 age-groups. The teams were drawn from the ZIFA Epworth Area Zone League and Epworth Pools emerged as the top dogs of last year’s tournament after beating Zawali 3-0 in the final of the seniors division.

In the Under-16s final, Young Stars edged Foothills 1-0 while Epworth Saints beat Clue Wibe 5-4 on penalties in the Under-13s final after the two teams had played out a goalless draw in regulation time.

Young Munyaradzi Bhaudhi (13), then a Grade Six pupil at Chizungu Primary School in Epworth, was named the best player of the tournament in the Under-13 age-group and Musekiwa Kumbula pledged to pay his school fees for the whole year in 2018.

The Mwalimu Kumbula Soccer Tournament has been graced by a number of prominent people from Epworth, a grossly underdeveloped dormitory of Harare situated on the eastern periphery of the capital.

CAPS United midfielder Ronald Chitiyo, who was born and bred in Epworth, and the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee president Admire Masenda were the guests of honour of the Mwalimu Kumbula tournament in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

And this Saturday’s finals will be graced by Farai Dhliwayo, the director of Legends Soccer Academy. Winners at this year’s finals will receive trophies, soccer kits and medals.

The post Epworth in for a treat appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
CAPS United ..(0) 1
Yadah . . 1) 2
CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe yesterday suggested that his team needed an overhaul for next season after the misfiring giants suffered a frustrating defeat at the hands of Yadah at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.

Chitembwe and his charges were disappointed after slumping to a third straight loss, which effectively dashed their hopes of a top four finish this year.

Yadah on the other hand, brightened their chances in their fight against relegation as they moved six points clear of the drop zone ahead of today’s games which feature most of the teams in the relegation mix.

Goals from veteran forward Ralph Matema and namesake Leeroy Matema were all they need to condemn the Green Machine to one of their worst spells in the last two seasons.

For the record, CAPS United have not won a match in the last six outings and alarm bells are beginning to ring in the Green Machine family.

Utility man Valentine Musarurwa provided their handful of supporters with something to cheer when he scored a superb 57th minute free-kick.

But the goal was not enough to rescue the game.

And with pressure mounting, Chitembwe yesterday took the unusual route after the match and climbed to the terraces where he engaged in a face to face conversation with a group of disgruntled fans.

He said Makepekepe are lacking strikers who can finish off the game.

“I am very disappointed with the loss especially when fans come and they are expecting. It was very disappointing from that perspective. We really need to change a lot of things especially for next year.

The post Ngezi lose the plot appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
Harare City . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2
Ngezi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2
NGEZI Platinum players cut dejected figures when the final whistle blew, but their assistant coach Gift “Umbro’’ Muzadzi tried to show a brave face, raising forlorn hopes after the Mhondoro side lost more ground to leaders FC Platinum when being held by Harare City at Rufaro yesterday.

While the body language of the players told of a group that has surrendered the title chase, their caretaker coaches still held faint hopes that they could yet overturn the nine-point deficit and be crowned the Zimbabwean kings. That however, would need FC Platinum to lose their all their remaining matches while Ngezi win their outstanding games.

But for a team that has not won since their controversial sacking of Tonderai Ndiraya, Ngezi’s best bet looks to be that of consolidating their second place finish.

After all FC Platinum are just one point away from glory and might not need it should Ngezi drop points in the manner they have been dropping lately.

Ngezi will also need to find the back of the net nine times in their last three games while FC Platinum fail to hit the target at all.

Yet they needed to win yesterday’s encounter at all costs to keep the gap between them and the champions at seven points.
But they did not look like a side in desperate need of the maximum points despite seizing early control of the match after Walter Mukanga thrust them into the lead from the penalty spot in the fifth minute.

The former Dynamos midfielder had been hacked down from behind by Moses Muchenje while preparing to take a crack at goal.

Fixtures 
Today: Herentals v Dynamos (Rufaro), Black Rhinos v Nichrut (NSS), Chapungu v Highlanders (Ascot), Bulawayo City v ZPC Kariba (Barbourfields).

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Mukudzei Chingwere, in ZVISHAVANE
FC Platinum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 2
Chicken Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
FC PLATINUM have effectively bagged a second successive Castle Lager Premier Soccer League crown after yesterday’s comfortable win over Chicken Inn at fortress Mandava put them nine points clear of second placed Ngezi Platinum Stars with three games to go.

The champions were denied a home coronation after nearest rivals Ngezi delayed what now appears the inevitable by wrestling a point away in the capital against Harare City to retain a mathematical chance of winning the league’s ultimate prize.

FC Platinum just need to avoid defeat in any of their remaining three matches to retain the title.
The Zvishavane miners came into the match knowing that a home win coupled with a Ngezi Platinum defeat will see them being crowned champions, and as expected, the hosts were slow in establishing themselves in the fixture as they tried to contain the weight of pressure.

But Farai Madhanhanga, one of their best players, this term stepped up to the plate and converted the first goal on the hour mark to calm the nerves.

Rodwell Chinyengetere, the leading premiership top goal-scorer now with 17 goals, converted a penalty, moments later to secure all the points.

Chicken Inn’s hopes of a top-four finish remained alive despite yesterday’s reverse at Mandava which left them still on 54 points.

Despite being on the brink of another league success, Mapeza refused to talk of his team’s impending championship triumph.

“At half-time I told the players that there is no need to put ourselves under any pressure I told them to be calm and play our normal game and get that important first goal and I am happy we managed to get that goal.

“Because of our position on the log standings it was bound to come with some pressure but I told the guys to be calm and play their normal game.

“For now I cannot talk anything about the championship I will do that after we have played our last game but for us to win the title we just have to keep on winning our games.
“We just need to keep on pushing and win our last three matches,” said Mapeza.

Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas conceded FC Platinum were a better side and was quick to say the miners deserve to be champions.

“They dominated us, we played second fiddle today and overall they deserve to be champions.
“We were comfortable on the ball but we did not create any chances.

“There is still a lot to do on our part we have many youngsters and we just need to give them more game time,” said Antipas.
The visitors controlled the ball for the better part of the opening stanza but failed to create clear cut goal scoring opportunities, the first meaningful chance fell to Chinyengetere but the attacker failed to control a Mkokheli Dube pass allowing the defenders to clear their lines.

Five minutes later Ben Nyahunzvi produced an excellent last gasp piece of defending, sliding on the line to clear Dube’s goal-bound effort with goalkeeper Pride Zendera a beaten man.

As the game progressed the miners were going for the kill, Madhanhanga tried from range but his effort was just inches wide.

The hosts grew in confidence towards the end of the first half and four minutes before the breather veteran midfielder Ali Sadiki tried from range but could not find the target with a powerful strike crashing against the crossbar.

Antipas introduced the duo of Obrey Chirinda and Nicole Mtatiwa in the second half and they responded by keeping the opponents on their toes but the pacey forwards could not find a way to breach them.

The miners could have added a third at full time but Chinyengetere stood in the way of Sidiki’s effort and the ball went out for a goal-kick.

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MARVELOUS NAKAMBA’S profile continued to grow when the Zimbabwean international earned more UEFA Champions League stripes after featuring for the entire match in his team Club Brugge’s draw with Thierry Henry’s Monaco in Belgium last night.

Nakamba made his Champions League debut when coming off the bench in their 3-1 loss to Atletico Madrid in Spain.

The Warriors midfielder, who is gradually finding his form after recovering from an injury that needed specialist treatment in Spain, lasted the entire game as Club Brugge came from behind to force a 1-1 draw against the French side.

Nakamba, an integral part of the Warriors side that is on the verge of securing a place at the 2019 African Cup of Nations, even had a chance late on to grab his maiden Champions League goal.

But the former Bantu Rovers man failed to direct his shot struck on the run after a Monaco clearance had fallen onto his path. An injury-hit Monaco failed to give Henry his first win as a head coach following last night’s draw.

Moussa Sylla raised hopes of Monaco ending an 11-match win-less streak by opening the scoring just after the half-hour mark at the Jan Breydel Stadium, but Wesley struck for the Belgian champions to secure a point.

According to reports from Belgium, the principality club have now also gone 11 Champions League games without a victory since their thrilling 6-3 aggregate triumph over Borussia Dortmund in the 2016-17 quarter-finals.

Henry, who took over from the sacked Leonardo Jardim earlier this month, saw his young side put in a spirited display despite being depleted by a raft of injuries, although the result leaves both sides facing elimination from Group A.

Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid lead the way, five points clear of Monaco and Brugge, ahead of their meeting at Signal Iduna Park in a later game last night.

Monaco will now hope it is a case of third time lucky under Henry when they host Dijon on Saturday, looking to drag themselves out of the Ligue 1 relegation zone.

But for Nakamba every Champions League outing is worth the experience and should also please his Warriors coach Sunday Chidzambwa.

While Nakamba continued to square off against some of the world’s best stars in the biggest club knock-out competition on the globe, his Warriors teammate George Chigova had his own reasons to smile.

This is because the big Warriors goalkeeper left a Polokwane medical centre a hugely relieved man after a scan on his injured knee revealed that he was out of danger but would be sidelined for two weeks.

The Polokwane City man twisted his knee while featuring for Zimbabwe in their 1-1 draw against Democratic Republic of Congo at the National Sports Stadium last week.

There had been genuine fears that Chigova would need surgery and could have possibly been ruled out of one of the Warriors’ next Nations Cup assignment away to Liberia next month.

But those fears were allayed yesterday after doctors told Chigova that, although he might still be in pain, he is out of danger and would not need to be operated on.

The 27-year-old goalkeeper told The Herald from his base in Polokwane yesterday that despite being relieved that his injury was not as bad as had initially been feared, he was still disappointed at having to miss club duties with Polokwane in South Africa.

Chigova an imposing and yet talented goalkeeper who stands 1.95m tall could only last 30 minutes of the Warriors action before he signalled for a change with fellow big goal-minder Edmore Sibanda being sent on to replace him.

He has already missed Polokwane’s Telkom Knock-out first round assignment which came soon after the international break. Polokwane for whom which his side lost to coach Kaitano Tembo’s SuperSport United 6-5 on penalties.

Harold Ndlovu, who pulled a number of good serves, stood between the sticks for Polokwane City. The Warriors Number One, however, did not have any kind words for the poor state of the National Sports Stadium, which appears to be suffering from neglect.

In fact, the deteriorating state of the pitch which has received widespread condemnation from the Warriors had a big part in contributing to Chigova’s injury as he stumbled on a hall on that seemed to be concealed by the long grass.

Chigova said the poor state of playing field had denied the Warriors a chance to maximise on home ground advantage when the Leopards came to town.

The Warriors had won 2-1 on the artificial turf at Kinshasa’s Stade de Martyrs. “I did the scan and the results came back and they have said there is no need for an operation. It’s just a bruised bone on the knee muscle so I will be out for 14 days only.

“But it feels bad to go out injured and missing games but you know it’s part of football we can’t do anything and I have to focus on the rehab and make sure that I come back strong again,’’ Chigova said.

Chigova urged those in charge of the stadium to consider the players’ requirements too. “The state of the pitch was so bad the grass was too big, you couldn’t even pass the ball properly and it was a big problem for us and it was too bumpy.

“I think if they can cut it, it can be better. Against DRC it definitely worked against us . . . it is denied us the advantage because we could not play our normal game and in the end it was just 50/50 with DRC.

“When the grass is too big it’s always going to be soft underneath so it’s easy for players to have that kind of injuries like I had,’’ Chigova said.

Warriors team manager Wellington Mpandare also added his voice of condemnation on the National Sports Stadium pitch and revealed that ZIFA technical director Wilson Mutekede had prior to the big match even raised concerns with the stadium manger.

Mpandare however, said they were still shocked to note that there had been improvements made to the pitch including trimming the grass despite Mutekede pointing all that out to the stadium authorities.

“It’s in a pathetic state and the stadium authorities are endangering players both in the league and the national team.

“We were playing at home but the pitch was too heavy for our players considering the shift they had put in the away game it became difficult for the team to perform to its expectations. “George was injured because of the bad pitch and we were forced to make an early substitution.

“What surprises us is the TD tried in vain to convince the ground manager to cut the grass,’’ Mpandare said.

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ORLANDO Pirates may have torched the flames ahead of their sold out ABSA Premiership Soweto derby showdown with Kaizer Chiefs with the Buccaneers claiming they opted out of signing Khama Billiat before he moved to Amakhosi.

Billiat is poised to play an influential role in his first Soweto Derby since joining Chiefs at the start of the season following the expiry of his contract with Mamelodi Sundowns.

Pirates are understood to have made the first steps to secure the Zimbabwean international when he made it clear that he would not be renewing his deal with Sundowns.

There have been reports that the two parties failed to agree terms, resulting in Chiefs latching on to capture the talented midfielder.

But Pirates claim not to have lost the race for Billiat’s signature, but chose not to sign him for other reasons.

The Buccaneers assistant coach Rhulani Mokwena yesterday revealed his team dropped their bid to bring Billiat at the Orlando Stadium due to other factors.

Pirates were reported to have been in talks with the player before he joined Amakhosi as a free agent from Mamelodi Sundowns.

Billiat was said to have been offered a signing on fee of R2 million, but rejected it, triggering speculation that Chiefs put a better deal on the table. But, according to IOL, a South African news website, Mokwena said: “We had lots of talks with Khama, myself and the player. We were very close to bringing him to the black and white. But we decided to protect the changing room more than anything else.”

The gaffer said the decision came after considering factors like injuries.

“The ratio between the expense, and when I say expense I am not only talking about the salary because I heard a lot of talk about that. But the expense with regards to injuries, and certain other factors and for the profit that we thought we would get, we thought it did not make sense (to sign the player),” Mokwena added.

While Pirates apparently decided against signing Billiat due to his “deteriorating form” at Sundowns, if the claims by Mokwena are anything to go by, the midfielder has since regained top form at Amakhosi.

The high-flying Billiat has settled in well at his new home, scoring five goals and dishing four assists in the 13 appearances he has made in all competitions so far this season.

His exploits have seen him winning the ABSA Premiership September Player of the Month.

Kaizer Chiefs supporters are now trooping back to the stadiums as their team is once again playing with the zest they are known for, with Billiat at the thick of things.

Billiat is also set to play a key role in the Soweto Derby on Saturday.

He is in such devastating form that the entire Orlando Pirates team are wary of his instinctive skills which could decide one of the biggest derbies in the continent.

While Billiat will line up for Amakhosi along with veteran compatriot Willard Katsande as well as Teenage Hadebe, other Zimbabweans Kuda Mahachi and Marshal Munetsi will be hoping to triumph in Pirates colours as the five countrymen take part in the famous encounter.

So much will be at stake as the two biggest teams in the South African Premiership will be chasing more than just three points.

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Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
TWO Zimbabwean professional golfers Ryan Cairns and Marc Cayeux made the cut at the ongoing 2018 edition of the Sunshine Tour’s Sibaya Challenge Golf Championship at The Woods Mount Edgecombe Course in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa yesterday.

The Sibaya Challenge, taking place in the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, will be the final event in the Sun International golf series.

Cairns was the first local to take to the tee box at 6:40 on the opening day and carded an impressive three under 67 as he played together with South Africans, Ryan Tipping and Lindani Ndwandwe from the first tee.
Yesterday, the Royal Harare professional who spent the better part of the day tied on second position, later had a patch carding a one-under 69 to take his tally to four-under-par.

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Percival Sizara in CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh
WITH the series gone, Zimbabwe will be looking to end the limited overs matches against Bangladesh on a high in today’s third and final One Day International cricket match at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

Bangladesh have already claimed the series, leading 2-0 after winning by 28 runs and seven wickets respectively.
In each game, Zimbabwe got into match changing — if not match winning — situations but didn’t realise their full potential to take the game away.

Execution at the death appears to have been Zimbabwe’s Achilles Heel in both games so far. In the first ODI, the Chevrons’ death bowling leaked 85 runs in the last 10 overs while the batting didn’t fire as expected falling short of the set target of 271.
And in the second ODI, batting ticked but drastically slowed down at the death squeezing 55 runs in the last 10 overs to make 246. The Chevrons faced 27 dot balls in the final powerplay.

These scenarios are the major differences that have put Bangladesh ahead of Zimbabwe in this series.
Chevrons batting coach Stuart Matsikenyeri admitted that batting has been a let-down so far in the series but noted the improvements that came through on Wednesday night.

“The tour has been on the tough side in as far as batting is concerned. In the first game in Dhaka we were well off our capabilities. The top six batters didn’t come to the party save for Sean Williams.

“We were looking to improve from that performance as it were and in the game yesterday (Wednesday) that was the case. Even in that, we had quite a number of guys getting starts and in the end not converting.”

The top six in Brendan Taylor (75), Sikandar Raza Butt (49), Sean Williams (47), Cephas Zhuwao (20), Peter Moor (17) and Hamilton Masakadza (14) all got in but couldn’t make it count.

Matsikenyeri reckons had either of Taylor, Raza Butt or Williams played through the innings Zimbabwe would have set a more demanding and defendable total.

“If we had had one of those three converting to a hundred it would have put us in a much better place than we ended up yesterday (Wednesday).”

Zimbabwe, however, is looking to stitch up good performances, being competitive and getting a consolation victory today.
Not only will it be the best way to wrap up the limited overs series but it will be a pump up for the coming two-match Test series.

Out of the two ODIs, Zimbabwe can draw some positive lessons to build on in spite of results not coming their way.
“It’s about looking to improve because we haven’t won a game in a long time now and the batting has had a lot to do with that. “It’s definitely a department where we are putting most of our efforts and time to make sure we improve.”

He added: “If we can get one guy to get into three figures and another one to bat deep from our top six it will definitely give ourselves an opportunity to post a winning score.”

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