Zifa clears air on UEFA boss’ visit
ALTHOUGH the just-ended decade was another mirage of the wonderful moments of yesteryear crafted by legendary greats like George Shaya, Bruce Grobbelaar, Ernest Kamba, Max Tshuma, Joseph Zulu, Moses Chunga, Stanford Mutizwa, Stanley Ndunduma, Joel Shambo, James Takavada, Willard Mashinkila-Kumalo, Madinda, Adam and Peter Ndlovu, Alois Bunjira and Stewart Murisa, local football fans still revelled in the high-class entertainment created by some heart-stopping league title photo-finishes during that period.
For example, on both occasions in 2013 and 2014, CAPS United “returned the favour” that had been done for them back in 2005 by their No. 1 Enemy — Dynamos — who beat title favourites and then log leaders Masvingo United 2-1 on the last day of that season on a rain-soaked Mucheke Stadium pitch to enable the Green Machine to lift the title despite losing 1-3 to Black Rhinos at the National Sports Stadium — after they beat the Blue Army’s strongest challengers for the league crown — Harare City and ZPC Kariba — again on the very last days to enable DeMbare to land the crown. We then witnessed another lastgasp finish, once again involving the Green Machine, in the just-ended season but sadly this time, they failed to do themselves a favour when they were edged by FC Platinum 1-0 and bowed out in tears at the same giant venue where they had played second fiddle to Chauya Chipembere 14 years ago.
But the most amazing achievement in the last 10 years was surely DeMbare’s astounding, four-year triumph as league champions from 2011 to 2014 under head coach, Callisto “Manabhun” Pasuwa.
The only two other coaches who won the grand prize on two occasions were Norman
“Muchina Wemajuzi” Mapeza (FC Platinum in 2017 and 2018) and Joey “Mafero” Antipas (Motor Action, 2010 and Chicken Inn, 2015).
The saddest spectacle was that since 2010, when Gunners’ top marksman, Norman “Lumumba” Maroto, scored 22 goals in that season, no other striker has managed to harvest the same haul.
The plummeting strikers’ ordeal aside, there were various players who managed to rise above the surface with some eye-catching displays over those 10 years and for me, the following is My Team of 2010-2019 (in a 4-4-2 formation), including their seven substitutes and coach:
GOALKEEPER
Ariel Sibanda (Highlanders): Undoubtedly the most consistent shot-stopper over the last decade. A marvel to watch during penalty kicks where he has mastered the art of saving and also scoring them. An able leader who has matured with age and has been unfortunate not to have established himself as the Warriors No. 1 goalkeeper.
Always urges the Bosso fans to rally behind their team when the chips are down. Nicknamed “Umangoyi” (The Cat) for his agility.
DEFENDERS Hardlife Zvirekwi ( Gunners/ CAPS United): One of the finest examples of sheer determination and the zeal to conquer adversities after he came back from a harrowing motor vehicle accident that claimed part of his right arm through amputation. “Nairobi” has been the heart and soul of “Makepekepe” for a large part of the past decade and was deservedly voted the Soccer Star of the Year in 2016. Loves to overlap from the right wingback’s position to float in perfect crosses for his strikers and is a cunning dead ball artist. Was a regular member of the Warriors until two years ago.
Ocean Mushure (Monomotapa/Dynamos): An attack-mined wing-back who thrilled us with his cultured left foot when delivering crosses or executing deadly freekicks. Was the driving force of some of the Dynamos attacks in that amazing four-year
ZIFA yesterday said they were fully behind UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin’s meeting with the Government though they couldn’t be part of the historic occasion since they had not been invited.
The UEFA boss, who is in the country for a private visit with his family since Christmas, on Monday paid a courtesy call on Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Sibusiso Moyo.
The 52-year-old Slovenian was accompanied by former ZIFA boss and current COSAFA president Philip Chiyangwa.
Minister of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation Kirsty Coventry also attended the meeting.
But, it is ZIFA, who have been in the news for all the wrong reasons in recent days, who were conspicuously absent at the event, raising strong suspicions they might have deliberately snubbed the moment due to the apparent friction with Chiyangwa.
It was Chiyangwa who facilitated the meeting.
Interestingly, the ZIFA secretariat last week wrote a strongly-worded letter to him demanding equipment, reportedly donated to ZIFA by FIFA before his election defeat in December 2018 to Felton Kamambo.
ZIFA’s action was prompted by former vice-president Omega Sibanda, who questioned why the association had donated gear which was meant for rural grassroots development to established teams, including those in the top-flight.
ZIFA responded by writing stinging letters to the former administrators.
That tiff, the latest in a longstanding battle between Chiyangwa and the under-pressure ZIFA board, was increasingly suspected to be the reason why the former had decided to snub the landmark occasion.
But, it has since emerged that no invitation was extended to ZIFA with Chiyangwa yesterday fuming no one had business telling the association of the UEFA boss’ visit.
“The UEFA president (Ceferin) is on a private visit and who was supposed to invite ZIFA to that occasion?
“I have no business (of) inviting the association to attend a meeting between the Government and someone on a private visit. I am not the one who hosted the UEFA president. He was hosted by the Government and what role do I have to play in inviting ZIFA to a Government event?” said Chiyangwa yesterday.
ZIFA spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela said the association was in full support of the meeting between the Government and Ceferin and they respected the fact that the UEFA boss’s visit to the country was a private one.
“The UEFA president (Ceferin) was on a private visit in the country. We couldn’t impose ourselves on him when he had not invited us,” said Gwesela.
“But, should he ask to see the Zimbabwe successive league triumph’s spell and had his best season two years ago and many felt that he was “robbed” of the Soccer Star of the Year award after he finished third behind the FC Platinum duo of winner Rodwell Chinyengetere and first runner-up Kelvin Moyo. A roving left wing- back who left the country last year to ply his trade in Zambia. Popularly known as “Ngoda” (Gold) because of his rich crosses and finishes.
Kelvin Moyo (FC Platinum): Like his nickname, “Super Glue”, always sticks to his man like glue and formed a rock-solid centre-back partnership with his twin brother Elvis at Pure Platinum Play for the bulk of the just-ended decade. Has been called up for junior and senior national duty a couple of times. An intelligent defender who is a marvel to watch when he springs airborne to outwit his opponents for a clearance and loves to join in the attack. Moved recently to South African top-flight side Chippa United to continue his partnership with Elvis where they were joined this year by their former FC Platinum boss, Mapeza.
Partson Jaure (Dynamos/Ngezi Platinum/Manica Diamonds): A pebble on the beach when it comes to clean tackling and sweeping clearances. Aptly nicknamed “Minister of Defence” because of his uncanny ability as a precise rearguard enforcer. Quiet and unassuming off the pitch but readily transforms into a bull terrier once he steps onto the green turf which is more like home to him. An astute commander on the pitch who also loves to join the attack especially at corner kicks where he has scored a few times for the clubs he has featured for.
MIDFIELDERS Devon Chafa (Kiglon/Dynamos/CAPS United/FC Platinum): A hard grafter who covers every blade of grass and is in the same industrious mould of yesteryear great, David “Yogi” Mandigora. Is the only player in local football history to win a total of seven championship medals with three different clubs (Dynamos, CAPS United and FC Platinum). A menacing man-marker and exceptional ball
Football Association board or any individual member of the board, we are more than ready to oblige. But, we cannot in any way impose ourselves since it is a private visit.”
Gwesela said ZIFA was thankful that Ceferin chose to visit Zimbabwe out of a host of other African countries.
“But, we have no any objections to him meeting Government officials or marketing destination Zimbabwe. In any case, we would like to deeply thank him for choosing to visit Zimbabwe.
“I am very sure he will testify that Zimbabwe has outstanding hospitality to its guests. We feel privileged as Zimbabweans to have such an important guest in our country. That is a sign that we are a good country and we offer good hospitality to visitors.”
Meanwhile, ZIFA vice-president Philemon Machana maintained that they would use their protocol to follow up with UEFA and see how best they could tap into the European body’s winner, “DC” has been one of the deadliest dead ball specialists we have seen during the past decade. Was a Warriors regular until two years ago but is destined to reclaim his place as the 2021 AFCON and 2022 World Cup qualifiers roar into life soon.
Clement Matawu (Motor Action/Chicken Inn): Undoubtedly the most consistent performer in the past decade and earned the nickname “The Naughty Flea” after legendary Chibuku Shumba and Black Aces linkman, the late David Muchineripi, for his “sticking strictly to business” attitude on the pitch. Was the engine room of the Gamecocks (2015) league championship triumph and although now 35 years old, is still going strong. A tireless and astute distributor from the centre of the park, he has also crafted magical ways of notching important goals in his long and outstanding career. Won the Soccer Star of the Year award back in 2006 and has also been a finalist four more times in the past decade.
Denver Mukamba (Kiglon/Dynamos/ CAPS United/Chapungu): We’ve all heard and read about the off-the-pitch lifestyle of the legendary Northern Ireland Manchester United’s brilliant and flamboyant midfielder, George Best. And Mukamba also comes from the same stable as the late Irishman. Undoubtedly the most talented and skilful player to parade his repertoire on the local stage in the just-ended decade, the lanky magician is an immensely gifted playmaker who was the “weapon of destruction” in that Dynamos’ mesmerising 2011-2012 blitz in the league and Mbada Diamonds Cup assaults and a scorer of many dazzling goals. If only “Mundikumbuke” can remedy his ways (hopefully, he seemed to have been doing that since he joined Chapungu in mid-season last year) then even the Warriors will have found the heir-apparent to Ronald “Gidiza” Sibanda to spray those breathtaking passes all over the pitch once more. Won the Soccer Star of the Year award in 2012.
Joel Ngodzo (Highlanders/FC Platinum/ CAPS United): An energetic and swashbuckling, attacking midfield entertainer who loves assistance.
“We will make a follow-up with UEFA, we would be happy to do so. We have never shied away from football assistance.
“We will give them our requirements and make those follow-ups. So we will follow protocol and procedure but we are grateful that they want to improve our infrastructure and our football,” he said. Machana says they had everything to gain from UEFA especially after the leader at the helm of such an organisation has expressed deep desire to assist local football.
“We are worlds apart in terms of football and we can only benefit from them. When there is talk about football development we will always get involved. We are all under FIFA so we are one family,” said Machana. Ceferin said they have already started rolling out some assistance to African countries as a way of ploughing back to the continent.
“We know very well that African players are to roam upfield from the middle of the park with aplomb. Has been one of the stand-out performers for the last decade and eventually his star shone brightly when he landed the Soccer of the Year title last season. Has “outlived” his two elder brothers — Johannes and Zephaniah — in the game and has now decided to try his luck in Zambia. “Josta” is another impressive exponent of those special goals that are struck with mercurial ingenuity whilst on the run.
FORWARDS Norman Maroto ( Gunners/ Motor Action): A little gunslinger who scored 22 goals in 2010 following a great season at Gunners and later moved to Motor Action before hanging up his boots in 2015. He is probably still having the last laugh as he waits for someone to break his duck. Burst into the big time with Dynanos whilst doing his “A” Levels at Churchill High School in 2002 and immediately caught the eye. Undoubtedly the finest striker of the local game in the years 2010-2019.
Rodwell Chinyengetere (Hwange/FC Platinum): This guy is a midfielder but always outshines the so-called strikers of our game since his days at Hwange in 2011.
Defied a career-threatening leg injury that had ruled out of action for almost two seasons but relaunched his career at FC Platinum to grab all the headlines as he ended up as the country’s leading goalscorer for two successive seasons in 2017-18, by scoring 18 goals in each season and go on to win two successive Soccer Star of the Year titles in that period for his remarkable performances in the middle of the park and in and around the penalty box. He is nicknamed “Amla” after his idol, former South African international cricketer, opening batsman Hashim Amla,
SUBSTITUTES:
Tafadza Dube (Dynamos/ FC Platinum/ CAPS United/ Manica Diamonds), Gift Bello (Kiglon/Dynamos/ FC Platinum), Passmore Bernard (Motor Action/Chicken Inn). Charles Sibanda (Motor Action/ FC Platinum/Highlanders). Erick Mudzingwa (Highlanders), Murape Murape (Dynamos), David Kutyauripo (Dynamos/ CAPS United/Harare City).
COACH: Callisto Pasuwa (Dynamos). playing an important role in European football, so we owe something also to the other parts of the world, not just Europe.
“And we are helping and I don’t know if we did something here yet, but I have already spoken to my people and I will connect with Philip Chiyangwa (COSAFA president), who is well known in European football and I think we can help quite a lot.
“Our principles are that we don’t send money anywhere, we send experts, we help in building infrastructure but we don’t just invest and, trust me, football wise this is the best organisation, that you can have, not because of me and not since I am here but because football in Europe generates 85 percent of all the football (revenue) in the world,” said Ceferin.
The UEFA boss observed that Zimbabweans were crazy about football and also noticed that they passionately follow the European league probably more than they do to local football.
Ellina Mhlanga
AS the National Senior Swimming Championships get underway this evening at Bulawayo City Pool, the CANA Zone IV team to represent the country at the regional event next month are taking this opportunity to polish up their build- up.
Zimbabwe named a strong team for the CANA Zone IV Championships to be hosted by Botswana from February 20 to 23 with the likes of Denilson Cyprianos, Donata Katai, Nomvula Mjimba, Saira Ramajan and Paige van der Westhuizen headlining the 35- member team.
Team manager Noe Cyprianos said the national gala gives them the ideal platform to finalise the events for the swimmers ahead of the regional competition.
“We are hoping that our swimmers have been training throughout the festive season because the swims that they going to be doing in Botswana are all going to be determined after the national gala starting tomorrow ( today).
“So it will be good as team manager to also see where the swimmers are, you can sort of predict how we are going to do in Botswana.
“At the moment we are not really certain ( of the events) because what we used is we used times for the galas that they have taken part in. But because the national ( competition) is l i ke the top gala for the season, so every swimmer brings in their A game. So after nationals that’s when we will be certain. Now we have a bit of an idea but it can change after this gala,” said Cyprianos.
Denilson Cyprianos, Katai and Van der Westhuizen were part of the four- member team that represented the country at the FINA World Junior Championships last August in Budapest, Hungary.
“This time around Zimbabwe is sending a very strong team. We have got some swimmers that have taken part in the highest competition in the world that are going for CANA, so we are very upbeat. I am sure we are going to do very well. We haven’t sent a very strong team like this one in many years.
“There is actually plenty ( of promising swimmers). We have got Paige van der Westhuizen and Denilson Cyprianos, they actually took part in the FINA World Juniors in Budapest in August and they are also going for the CANA.
“We have got senior swimmers, especially in the boys who have qualified to swim in South African Senior Nationals, they are also going for that tour. So we really have a strong team. We are hoping to bring back the Cup,” said Cyprianos.
The national event is running until Sunday and swimmers of different agegroups that have qualified for other events such as the South African Senior and Junior Championships are taking the chance to assess themselves and some are pushing for qualification.
Zimbabwe’s CANA Zone IV Team Girls 11/ 12: Tori Dawe, Peyton Wishart, Mikayla Makwabarara, Loyiso Mahobele.
Boys 11/12: Limbikani Kalipengule, Khaya Vimba, Sean Reilly, Kyle Heyns, Patrick Duff.
Girls 13/ 14: Timea Schultz, Mkhuseli Mahobele, Vhenekai Dhemba, Kiara Goodinson, Saira Ramajan.
Boys 13/14: Bjorn Mhlanga, Tichatonga Makaya, Tawanda Chisungo, Onesimus Ngwenya.
Girls 15/16: Paige van der Westhuizen, Riana Rollo, Nyasha Chinyani.
Boys 15/16: Cory Werrett, Callum Morgan, Jasper Mpofu, Jake Oostindien, Nathan Ngwenya.
Girls 17 and Over: Nomvula Mjimba, Siobhan Jones, Gemma Schonken, Courtney Brown.
Boys 17 and Over: Denilson Cyprianos, Quintin Tayali, Joash McKonie, Brett Jones, Tait Mills.
Tawanda Macheke is close to be snatched by the army side.
The team will also hold trials starting next week with a two-week training camp set for Kariba following up next as the ambitious new executive looks to make an immediate impact.
Black Rhinos are as well set to use Chinhoyi Stadium for their home matches this coming season as they want to build their own fan base outside the capital where the only two stadiums Rufaro and the National Sports Stadium cannot accommodate seven clubs from the city in the top-flight.