Moyo twins finally separated
FOR the first time since the Moyo brothers Kelvin and Elvis joined Dynamos, the duo will not play together for the first half of the season.
This will be the first time they will not play together for this long in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
The seemingly “inseparable twins” who played together for over two decades joined Dynamos from Bulawayo Chiefs at the start of 2023 season on two-year deals.
Through the season, they rose to be a consistent pair that held the fort from the back.
However, Elvis will not feature in the first half of the 2024 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.
The 30-year-old sustained a long-term hamstring injury, which saw him missing the Castle Challenge Cup final against Ngezi Platinum Stars recently.
This will keep him on the sidelines for months with the club having decided not to register him in the first half of the season.
Ordinarily, this would be disturbing, for the twins who are famous for their attachment to each other.
“We started playing together around the age of eight years, we would play street football in Luveve before proceeding to Baines Junior and Mzilikazi High School,” said Kelvin.
“We then moved on to professional football, we have been together for all these years, and seeing him injured like that makes me sad.
Star of the year Rodwell Chinyengetere, William Manondo, Devon Chafa, Phineas Bamusi, Hastings Chapusha, goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga, Ian Nyoni and Blessing Sarupinda.
Their new signings included veterans Bruce Kangwa, Brian Kadamanja, Lot Chiwunga, Jayden Bakari, Wayne Makuva, and Ralph Kawondera. CAPS United finished in eighth position last season, 20 points behind champions Ngezi Platinum Stars.
After six weeks of preparation, Murwira believes they can punch above their weight this season.
“Whenever you go off-season you get time to recover then you start preparing for the season during the pre-season. So there is no way that we are going to say that we are not prepared. Now is the time to demonstrate how far we have gone in terms of our readiness by playing competitive games. So everyone is raring to
“We have a rare understanding towards each other that makes our game flow, we communicate well and sometimes I can predict him perfectly and the other way round.”
The siblings played together at FC Platinum, Chippa United in South Africa, and Bulawayo Chiefs before joining Dynamos.
They were part of the great FC Platinum team that won their first league title in 2017 and 2018.
They had previously also lifted the Chibuku Super Cup in 2014 and the Castle Challenge Cup with the Zvishavane-based side before going on to play in the CAF Champions League and the Confederations Cup.
Kelvin and Elvis were also part of the Chiefs squad that won their first silverware, the Chibuku Super Cup in 2022 although they went on to finish the league in position seven.
It has often been a case of signing them as a twin pack whenever they make a move.
Interestingly, Kelvin is said to have turned down an offer from Ngezi Platinum Stars earlier in 2023, before settling for Dynamos, under the pretext that he cannot be separated from his twin brother for long.
Kevin is the most experienced of the two. He played for the Zimbabwe national team while Elvis is a former Zimbabwe youth international who featured in the age-group teams from the Under-20 level.
And moving together from club to club, fans have grown fond of seeing the two playing together.
“Our fans love to see us together and this
go,” said Murwira.
“It’s good we are playing a team like Chicken Inn; it’s a big game. It will help us gauge where we stand as a group in terms of performance, and if we can manage to take a positive result against Chicken Inn, then we can fight for honours this season.”
Makepekep has also roped in younger players like Simba Delroy Guda from Jadel Academy, Tapiwa Rusenza from Come Again and Junior Bunjira from Golden Eagles. Bunjira is son to CAPS United legend Alois Bunjira.
“The younger players need to push and work hard so that whenever they are given the chance they play very well. This is CAPS United; game time is not given on a silver platter. You have to sweat for it. You have to work yourself into the team,” said Murwira.
Coach Lloyd Chitembwe said they have had a hectic pre-season. is what keeps us motivated, it is painful to see him on the side lines due to injury but at least he has a running contract which means he will be close by, cheering me on,” said Kelvin.
“However, playing together also gives us pressure to always be better than the other every day so this pushes us to work harder every day.
“Maybe this is what happened with Elvis, he wanted to force a quick comeback from an injury and I think it aggravated his injury.”
As Dynamos take on Highlanders in the league opening fixtures on Sunday, the Moyo brothers would have been back at “home” (Barbourfields), to rekindle the memories of their formative years.
“This is always a big fixture for me and my brother, even during our days at FC Platinum, we would travel and watch the two giants when they played,” he said.
“It feels great that now some people have to travel to come and watch us play too . . . our journey started in Bulawayo and playing there always brings back the memories.”Dynamos Head Coach Genesis Mangombe paid tribute to the defensive duo for an impressive duty for the Glamour Boys.
He notes that the pair have a clicking combination of pitch and excellent communication.
“They have a rare way of communicating, this is what any coach would want to work with,” he said.
“Sadly, Elvis will be away for long due to injury, however, he will still be close to his brother and us as a team until he bounces back.”
“I think as far as match readiness is concerned I am sure we are almost there and I’m quite happy with the progress that has been made as far as the factors of performance are concerned; that is the technical, physical, and tactical aspects.
“So, I am extremely happy. At the moment we find ourselves in a very good space. We started with the physical conditioning elements and in the third week we worked on the technical aspects.
“In the fourth and fifth, we were working on tactical work, and in the sixth week again we were working on the tactical and mental aspects.
“So, all in all, it has been a very hectic six-week programme and I am extremely happy about how we have gone about it. If there is anything that a coach is happy about is to see his players showing signs of happiness in work and that in itself gives me satisfaction,” said Chitembwe.
HAMILTON Masakadza has resigned as Zimbabwe Cricket’s director of cricket.
He cited Zimbabwe’s failure to qualify for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 as the main reason for his decision to step down.
“This decision has come about after careful consideration of the successes and failures of our cricket and my responsibilities,” Masakadza, a former Zimbabwe captain who assumed the director of cricket role soon after retiring from all forms of cricket in October 2019, said in his resignation letter.
“As much as there has been a lot of progress in my tenure, the fact remains that we are the only Full Member nation not participating in the next T20 World Cup after our shock loss to Uganda.
“This was indeed one of the lowest points of my career and I take full responsibility as director of cricket.”
Commenting on the decision, ZC managing director Givemore Makoni said:
“Hamilton’s status as a cricket legend is not in doubt and we are indebted to him for his immense contributions to the sport, on and off the field.
“After calling time on his playing career, he gave his all trying to ensure ZC has the foundations in place to identify, develop, and prepare the next generation of players.
“As he leaves his current role, as an organisation we take great satisfaction in knowing that, despite some crucial results not going our way, Zimbabwe teams and our cricket, in general, have made significant progress under his watch.
“I hope the game will continue benefiting from his knowledge and expertise.”
The highlights during Masakadza’s four-year tenure as director of cricket include Zimbabwe’s qualifying for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia where they reached the Super 12 stage against all odds.
Under his guidance, ZC introduced several new tournaments aimed at uplifting the standard of the game in the country, among them the National
FORMER Kaizer Chiefs defensive midfielder Willard Katsande has joined SA’s fourth-division side, Crystal Lake FC.
The SAFA Ehlanzeni Hollywoodbets Regional League outfit confirmed Katsande’s arrival at the club on Wednesday.
The club’s hierarchy at Crystal Lake is keen to achieve its ultimate goal of winning the league and getting promoted to the ABC Motsepe League, having acquired the services of the former Zimbabwe international.
“Crystal Lake FC welcomes the former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Willard “Salt and Vinegar”Katsande to the technical team,” reads the club’s statement.
Katsande was in attendance when Crystal Lake suffered a 6-0 defeat to the Soweto giants, Orlando Pirates, almost two weeks ago during the Nedbank Cup Round of 32 in Mpumalanga at Mbombela Stadium.
The Mpumalanga club currently sit fifth in the men’s Regional league with
Premier League and the Zim Afro T10 league for men as well as two women’s provincial competitions, the Fifty50 Challenge and the Women’ T20 Cup.
Masakadza also oversaw the successful staging of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2022 and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 in Zimbabwe.
He leaves at a time when he was already working on the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 that the country will co-host and he is keen to remain involved to help deliver the events or to continue serving ZC in another capacity.
“This decision was a very difficult one to make and I remain fully committed to Zimbabwe Cricket and would very much be interested in serving in a different capacity as the organisation looks forward to hosting the Men’s Under-19 World Cup in 2026 and the Men’s 50-over World Cup in 2027,” Masakadza said — ZimCricket. 38 points after 19 games.
Katsande has joined Crystal Lake as a technical team member. He will work closely with the club’s head coach, Magic Nyalungu. The ex-Amakhosi man worked for Sekhukhune United as Babina Noko’s ambassador after retiring from the beautiful game. Katsande comes highly recommended as he boasts both PSL and international experience.
The retired footballer played over 270 games in the SA elite league, scoring 18 goals and contributing nine assists in the process. Given his extensive experience, he will be expected to add value to the amateur side and help the club challenge for promotion to the ABC Motsepe League.
Katsande also represented teams such as Gunners Harare in Zimbabwe, Ajax Cape Town, and Sekhukhune United.
The amateur side’s next assignment is against Thaba Chweu Trouble Makers on Sunday, at Ximhungwe Stadium. — Far Post/Sports Reporter.