Rampant City welcome back De Bruyne
MANCHESTER CITY midfielder Kevin De Bruyne’s long-awaited return for Manchester City in the holders’ 5-0 rout of Huddersfield was a memorable moment on Sunday.
De Bruyne had been sidelined since tearing his hamstring during the Premier League opener against Burnley in August.
He finally got back in action as a 57th minute substitute in City’s emphatic victory over the Championship strugglers at the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola’s side were leading by goals from Phil Foden and Alvarez when the 32-year-old was introduced.
City netted three more times through Ben Jackson’s own goal, another Foden effort and a Jeremy Doku strike on his return from injury as a second-half substitute.
Fittingly, Doku’s goal was set up by a deft lofted pass from De Bruyne.
City have stayed afloat without De Bruyne, but his world-class quality in midfield will be a key factor in their bid to retain the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
“We are incredibly delighted to have him back because Kevin helps to win games. It is so important to have him back after a long injury,” Guardiola said.
“Of course he has a special ability and quality to do something that is difficult to find. Kevin is exceptional. He is unique.”
Premier League strugglers Luton were held 0-0 by third tier Bolton at Kenilworth Road.
Nottingham Forest were also given a scare by League One opponents as Nuno Espirito Santo’s men recovered from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Blackpool.
West Ham were held to a 1-1 draw against second tier Bristol City at the London Stadium. — SuperSport.
LOCAL badminton sensation Thabani Mathe has embarked on an international tour as he sets his sights on qualifying for the Olympics and Badminton World Federation (BWF) Championships later this year.
The Olympics are set for Paris, France, from July 26 to August 11, while the World Championships are slated for August 21-27 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Mathe (26) is confident that he will qualify for both events as he seeks to achieve a Top 100 world ranking and a top three position in Africa.
He is currently ranked 431st in the world, out of 2 000 players and 16th out of 80 players in the continental rankings.
“I started my international tournaments consistently from last year with a three-month training camp in Chengdu, China. I will participate in a minimum of 10 tournaments before the middle of 2024 and another 10 thereafter.
“I aim to participate in at least 20 tournaments. All this is in a bid to qualify for both the Summer Olympics in Paris and The Annual BWF World Championships towards the end of the year.
“I have toured quite a number of countries since the start of my career like Uganda, Algeria and Nigeria. I have also played in the Southern African countries that include Zambia, South Africa, Botswana and Mauritius. Outside the continent, China, The United Arab Emirates and Qatar are the only countries I have toured so far,” said Mathe.
Mathe started playing badminton at the age of 13 in Hatfield, Harare, where he played for Mazowe and Prince Edward High Schools.
“I played and excelled in as many sports codes both at primary and high school. I found a soft spot for badminton when I was 13 years and made it a career when I turned 16. At that stage, I had won a bronze medal at the All-Africa Schools Championship in Port Louis, Mauritius. After that, I added two more continental junior titles on my belt in South Africa in 2016,” said Mathe.
The Olympic aspirant said he is impressed by the growth of badminton in the country.
“Badminton is one of the fastest growing sport disciplines at the moment. As a country, we recently hosted the continental schools’ championships and that shows and brings the wealth of experience we possess and the growth we are exhibiting.
“With many stakeholders taking notice and more players touring and participating globally, only good things can come out of it in the future,” he said.
ZIMBABWE cricket Under-19 national team captain, Matthew Schonken, has encouraged his teammates to approach the forthcoming
ICC Under-19 World Cup in South Africa fearlessly and stick to their game plan.
The 18-year-old all-rounder, who was part of the Young Chevrons at the last ICC Under-19 World Cup hosted by West Indies in 2022, has been trusted with leading the team at this year’s tournament.
Schonken shared his experience from the last
World Cup, describing his recent appointment as the national team skipper as a role he had always wanted.
“For many of the boys, this will be their first time playing at an international level in a tournament so it is a great opportunity.
“I have said to the guys that there is no need to be scared. To play good cricket, you need to enjoy yourself and therefore we cannot be fearful of other teams,” he said.
“From the last World Cup,
I learnt that when I’m bowling,