DeMbare go to SLIZ school
THOSE who witnessed past heroics hope this is the day he will redeem himself and live up to the hype as well as the yesteryear stories he will tell his kids and grandchildren. The younger generation looks at the giant’s old and tattered robes, written Battle of Zimbabwe, and accuse their elders of going down the hyperbole lane each time they talk of previous match ups.
A Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clash dubbed the Battle of Zimbabwe must bring the country to a standstill, everything and everyone should stop and bear witness to heavyweight football battle, right? Ideally yes. However, this world has no room for sympathy, if it’s not on it’s just not on and the people will show their approval or disapproval on social media.
In years gone by, a Highlanders versus Dynamos clash was a showstopper, a blockbuster that was talked about weeks before match day and years after the final whistle.
Sadly this once colossal clash has degenerated into a clash of two old clubs, a battle of football attrition steeped more in history than quality.
As Dynamos make the trip to Barbourfields, this afternoon’s clash is not trending, there are bigger stories being liked and attracting comments on platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.
President Mnangagwa’s hole in one — to borrow a golf term — of appointing Kirsty Coventry into Cabinet is what people are liking, tweeting and retweeting.
Chapungu in Chibuku cheer
Chapungu ................2 Mutare City . . . . . .......... 2 (Chapungu progress 5-3 on penalties) AIRFORCE side Chapungu booked their place in the first round of the Chibuku Super Cup with a battling penalty shoout-out elimination of Mutare City at Ascot yesterday.
The match had ended 2-2 after regulation time and needed penalties to decide the winner.
Chapungu’s five takers converted Osborne Mukuradare, Edmore Muzanenhamo, Xolisani Ncube, Maxwell Mavuto and Tapiwa Kumbuyani converted their efforts.
Kumbulani Njovo missed for Mutare City while the trio of Jeffrey Takunda, Piniel Gumbo and Brian Chinhoyi converted.
Before the penalties Vialli Tadzoka and Jeffrey Takunda scored for Mutare City while the duo of Brighton Mugoni and Muzanenhamo was on target for the airmen.
Chaoungu will now meet THERE is a school of thought which says winning in sport starts in the office, an argument that suggests that a team is as good as its administration.
In Zimbabwe, Dynamos Football Club is always used as an example of how poor administration can choke a sports outfit.
But DeMbare are doing something about that reputation.
The club is set to send officials to this month’s International Continued Education Sports
The Warriors’ visit to Congo Brazzaville for an Africa Cup of Nations clash has also overshadowed this once gigantic clash. Even the PSL chairmanship elections, set for the capital this morning, have their shadow towering over a clash that may see Kingstone Nkhatha making his DeMbare debut.
But maybe, just maybe, this must be the soundtrack to this match up, a low key build up that gives its latest cast the room to express themselves.
The pressure, the history of this clash
IT’S a sorry sight, a giant who used to bring the whole country to a standstill coughing and limping back onto the scene with very few people taking notice or caring.
league FC Platinum in the next round and their coach Rodwell Dhlakama said his charges will push hard to win the cup competition.
“I am happy we managed to book a place in the next stage of the tournament, what delights us even more is that we gave other players a chance and they did well. Now we face FC Platinum in the next round and history has a tendency of repeating itself. We beat them last year and can beat them again this year,” said Dhakama. Teams
Chapungu: T Garayi( T Shumba 69’), T Kumbuyani, R Bota, R Matutu, C Mativenga, E Muzanenhamo, M Mavuto, P Mutsetse(,E Chirape 82), B Mugoni, O Mukuradare, X Ncube.
Mutare City: A Chiname, P Gumbo, L Mangaira, K Bingala, J Takunda, K Njovo, J Chitavira, B Vheremu, V Tadzoka, H Zvakavapano( B Chinhoyi 68’), T Kabanda. Management Course.
The course, being held by the Sports Leaders Institute of Zimbabwe (SLIZ) in collaboration with America’s West Virginia University, runs from 24 to 25 September at Old Hararians Sports Club.
“We have about 80 confirmed participants from various institutions, including local football clubs like Dynamos, administrators from volleyball, netball, Government, council and private schools, while uniformed and the iconic club badges, have in recent times appeared to saddle both sets of players.
On a stage where players like Melusi Nkiwane, Claudius Zviripayi, Mercedes “Rambo” Sibanda and Tauya Murehwa used to look like football oracles, the latter day players are looking like fraudsters trying to steal a living as footballers. However, it does not look all gloomy. The presence of such players as Dynamos goalkeeper Simbarashe Chinani and Highlanders right back McClive Phiri
Nine years on Del Potro
ARGENTINE Juan Martin del Potro will compete in his first Grand Slam final for nine years after defending champion Rafael Nadal retired from their US Open semifinal.Third seed Del Potro, 29, was leading 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 when Nadal quit because of a knee problem.
Nadal, the top seed, twice needed medical attention before conceding.
“It was difficult for me to keep playing. I was in too much pain,” said the 32-year-old Spaniard.
“It was one player playing and one on the other side of the court. I hate retiring - but to stay one more set out there playing like that is too much for me.”
Del Potro, the 2009 champion, will face Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in tonight’s final after the 13-time Grand Slam winner beat Japan’s Kei Nishikori in straight sets.
Nadal had problems with his right knee during his third-round win over Russian Karen Khachanov.
The 17-time Grand Slam champion insisted it was not a major problem and won forces are also expected to be part of this,” said SLIZ president Russel Maradza.
The respected administrator added that the latest course is a sign of how SLIZ is strengthening its relationship with West Virginia University with whom they recently signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding.
“It’s another jewel in our crown,” said Maradza.
“Conducting the course will be Dr Floyd Johns as well as Professor Sean Bulgar and Denise Johns, gives the neutrals hope of a good game. Both Chinani and Phiri epitomize the state that both the Battle of Zimbabwe protagonists are in — a state of hope. Deemed not good enough by Yadah Stars, the 22-year-old Chinani has risen to become the DeMbare number one and while he needs to work on his footwork, he looks like a decent goalie, the best Dynamos have had since Tatenda Mkuruva.
The way Chinani saved Godknows Murwira’s explosive free kick when Ngezi gruelling matches against Nikoloz Basilashvili and ninth seed Dominic Thiem to reach the last four. But the knee injury which has caused him problems throughout his career came back to ruin his seventh US Open semi-final.
Nadal said he was not feeling any issues during practice on Thursday nor before Friday’s match.
He started to feel pain at 2-2 in the first set, called for the trainer during the changeover at 4-3 and then again at 2-1 in the second.
Although the three-time US Open champion continued until the set was complete, the inevitable decision came after another chat with the medical man.
“I was trying to hope it would improve but it was not to be,” said Nadal.
“I waited as much as I could. It was very difficult for me to say goodbye before the match finished, but at some position you have to make a decision,” he added. — BBC a Sports Management Masters holder.
“We first engaged West Virginia in Nigeria in 2016 and later in Kenya that same year and it all culminated in them holding their first seminar last year. We also had our sports leaders going to West Virginia in February this year.
“Our relationship is growing from strength to strength and such, a development can only be good for Zimbabwean sport.”
Maradza commended Government for taking sports Platinum edged Dynamos 1-0 on July 22 this year at Rufaro oozed of class and served as confirmation that DeMbare stumbled on gold.
“Playing for Dynamos is not an easy job. There’s a lot of pressure that comes with the responsibility of being the last man in the DeMbare defence but I am working hard. If I get to play against Highlanders, I intend to put in another shift,” said Chinani.
Phiri was also rejected by Ngezi Platinum Stars but has since transformed
Ronaldo’s black eye
CRISTIANO RONALDO was all smiles when training with Juventus this week, despite looking like he’d gone a few rounds with Mike Tyson.
The Portuguese star, who has stayed with his club instead of reporting to Portugal during the international break, sported a rather painful black eye as he limbered up and went through the usual drills alongside his Nerazzurri teammates in Turin.
Rather than any extra-curricular boxing activity, Ronaldo suffered the bruise in a collision with Parma defender Simeone Iacopini during Juve’s last match.
The 33-year-old has been omitted from the Portugal squad for the international break to allow him to focus on fully recovering his fitness and hopefully arresting his threegame goalless drought at club level.
Ronaldo made his big move from Real Madrid in the summer in search of a new challenge but so far he’s found it tough in front of goal, although he seems to be enjoying life in Italy.
Strike partner Mario Mandzukic development seriously.
“Our programs run under the national sports development network and we work hand in glove with the Sports and Recreation Commission, they are very supportive. The Zimbabwe Olympic Committee also come with their expertise.
“We believe in team work and are calling for more networking because sport has become a business and it can fund itself, we are confident of a great future for Zimbabwean sport,” Maradza said. himself into one of consistent performers.
Every match in the black and white of Highlanders is a blessing for a player they said is not of platinum quality in Mhondoro. “I am one of those kids who dreamt of playing for Bosso and I wear the Highlanders jersey with pride,” said the 25-year-old Phiri.
At BF, the giant has a chance to dress himself in new robes and live up to the Battle of Zimbabwe name. Here he comes! Bosso’s most tweeted a picture on Friday with Ronaldo and his new pals, together with the caption: “WINNING TEAM.”
And while that may be strictly true with Juventus enjoying a 100 percent start to the season -- they face Sassuolo next on Sep. 16 (9 a.m. ET, ESPN+) -- we’d wager Ronaldo will be itching to stop his struggles in front of goal.
At least he’s firing in training, though. Andrea Barzagli has said he has been astounded by Cristiano Ronaldo’s hunger and desire.
“He’s scoring all the time in training and I’m sure when he also starts doing so in games, he’s not going to stop. He’s an incredible professional and it’s a pleasure for me to train with him because he transmits energy and great desire to work,” he said. Serie A, you have been warned! — ESPN