Monoz: A cunning fox?

BY GRACE CHIRUMANZU
Zimbabwean champions, Monomotapa, travelled to Malaysia for a friendly match against their hosts’ national team, last Sunday, to be beaten 4-0, as they prepare for their MTN Caf Champions League tie against Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel, this weekend.
It has emerged Monoz duped Malaysia into believing they were playing a national team, Zimbabwe, as reports from Malaysia flashed headlines of a youthful side beating the Warriors of Zimbabwe.
It was a good challenge for Monoz who are preparing for a tough assignment in the African Safari. But a burden for the Malaysians who had previously refuted to host Liberia because they were not in a position to send their national side for the FIFA recognized international friendly.
Zifa have since been criticized for passing the league champions to travel as the national team, as much as the Malaysian soccer board will face criticism from their fans for not checking the truth about their opponents as they did with Liberia.
“Just because there was FIFA recognition does not mean both teams are obliged to field their 'best' teams,” said a football fan from Malaysia.
“Zimbabwe could easily use the excuse that they are trying out some new faces. As for Malaysia, they simply didn't exercise due diligence in checking on their opponent, hardly a FIFA-punishable offence -although admittedly hilariously stupid.”
Although some reports from Malaysia have recognized Monomotapa as the premiership champions representing Zimbabwe, the Malaysia football governing board made it clear that they were duped into believing Zimbabwe sent a national team.
FAM's Datuk Azzudin Ahmad said, “as far as we are concerned it is the Zimbabwe national team. The acceptance letter even bore the letterhead of their national association (ZIFA).”
Zifa CEO Henrietta Rushwaya told The Zimbabwean she was on leave at the time Monoz travelled to Malaysia. But Malaysia’s media organization, Mailsport, learnt that Rushwaya, in both a letter and an email to FAM, confirmed that Zimbabwe would be sending their national team.
The misrepresentation was said to have costed FAM a bomb, according to some reports in Malaysia. Flight tickets from Harare to Singapore for the team of 20 were estimated at about RM200, 000. The bus ride from Singapore to KL is about RM1,200, thus making it RM2,400 for a return journey. The team stayed at a hotel. The stimulus room package sees a double occupancy room costing RM280 per night. That translates to RM11,200 for 10 rooms over four nights. So, this would have cost FAM about RM215,000.
But FAM has denied having funded for Monomotapa’s expenses while ZIFA continue to claim that the Malaysian football board has taken care of Monoz. The trip has a lot of questions as it is yet to be established who funded the league champions’ tour.
Monoz were in a desperate situation in need of a challenging friendly match as they prepare for their continental encounter, on Sunday (July 19), had everything to benefit despite losing a humiliating 0-4 defeat, away from home.
It was a good experience for the reigning league champions. But it is yet to be established if Monoz who played in the national colors, connived with Zifa to trick Malaysia or they innocently represented the inactive national team with FAM’s knowledge.

Off the field with Willard Katsande

Former Highway midfielder Willard Katsande (pictured)- who changed camps to join Gunners FC during the midseason break -- told The Zimbabwean on Sunday’s Grace Chirumanzu in an interview last week of his burning ambition to be among the best on the local scene and to, hopefully, one day make a break into one of the big leagues abroad. Excerpts:

Grace Chirumanzu (GC): The first question obviously is about that incident when you were still with Highway and you were playing Dynamos when a group of DeMbare supporters threw some traditional snuff at you. What really was that all about?
Willard Katsande (WK): They had this crazy idea that I was using juju and all of a sudden they threw that stuff on my face. But I was never affected by what they did during the match and I continued to give my best performance. I have put it behind me and it has not affected my perception of Dynamos as a team.
GC: Why did you leave Highway for Gunners?
WK: They (Gunners) were impressed by my performance and they approached me and I chose to join them. I also received offers from Dynamos and Caps United but I chose Gunners because I like the fact that they are supportive of players who are fortunate to make the grade at bigger foreign clubs. I had no problems with Highway, I respect Highway because they made me into who I am today. It was when I was with Highway when I made my premiership debut, this year.
GC: What will you miss most about Highway?
WK: It was like family, there was no element of looking down upon each other and the club officials were so organized.
GC: The two weeks you have had to adapt and fit into the playing style of your new team seem so short, tell us, how has been the going so far?
WK: I believe the two weeks I have had are quite adequate. The players have welcomed me well and I think I will make a good combination with Ramson (Zhuwawo).
GC: And on the soccer pitch, which player would you say is or has been your toughest opponent this season?
WK: I would think it is Lionel Mtizwa of Caps United who gave me the toughest time in game we played them when I was still with Highway. We lost the match 1-0.
GC: How about the game in general, what misgivings do you have about the local game?
WK: It should be understood that the local game does not pay that much and soccer players can never really dream of buying fancy houses and cars after retiring from playing football. Maybe one day it will change for the better. It would be unfortunate were things to be allowed to continue the way they are.
GC: Who is your favourite local player?
WK: Highway captain Hebron Mukukutu. He is good. I used to watch him play when I was still playing in Mutare’s division 2 league and never thought I would one day play alongside him in the same team.

Fact File

Full names :Willard Katsande

D.O.B :15 January 1987

P.O.B :Mutoko

Nickname :Bute

Jersey number :17

Position :Central midfielder

Previous Clubs :Frontier Steel (2002-05), Feruka (2006-07), Highway (2007-09)

Current Club :Gunners

Zim hopes to upstage Tigers

HARARE – Zimbabwe national cricket captain Prosper Utseya (pictured)hopes his side will dig deep into their reserves to upstage Bangladesh in the five One Day International series set for August 7-19, at Bulawayo’s Queens Sports Club.

Zimbabwe face Bangladesh or the Tigers, as they known, after a six-month drought of international action, having last played Kenya in February.

Utseya acknowledged that the lack of international experience will continue to handicap the southern Africans but hoped their participation in the local league will give them the much needed match fitness.

“Of course we are lacking international experience but we have been playing a lot of competitive local games in the Logan Cup and also the Twenty20 and that should help us in match fitness,” said Utseya.

“This is our second net session in the 2009/2010 season and the boys look fit for the match. By next week (this week) we will be starting training more as a team and we have enough time to work on different areas of the game.”

Queens Sports Club has not been a favourite hunting ground for Zimbabwe. Statistics show that they have in recent years won more matches at Harare Sports Club than Queens, in Bulawayo. While recognising that the Bulawayo wicket has not been favorable to the team, Utseya pointed out that “we won most of our games here at Harare Sports Club because most of the players are from Harare and are accustomed to the wicket here”

Asked whether he was not worried of being visitors on their own pitch when they take on Bangladesh at Queens in all the five matches, Utseya told The Zimbabwean on Sunday that it will be an advantage to play the Tigers there.

“The ball turns as much at Queens and it will be better for us to play their (Bangladesh) spinners there,” he said.

The Zimbabwe skipper, who was part of the 2004-2005 side that used to give Bangladesh torrid times on the crease, said he did not envy the Tigers, who have since moved one place ahead of Zimbabwe on the International Cricket Council rankings. Bangladesh is ranked number eight ahead of ninth placed Zimbabwe.

“Bangladesh’s structures have produced a wide base of players for national team selection; unlike us they haven’t lost a number of players to other countries. That has been our biggest challenge; I think we have lost about three teams in a space of four years. They have greatly improved and gained the much needed experience as a team,” said the off-spinner.

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/

Glamour Boys continue to shine

BY GRACE CHIRUMANZU

Former league champions, Dynamos, are sailing with determination towards the 2009 championship title removing all skepticism of their quest to reclaim their pride lost to Monomotapa, last season.
A 4-0 victory over struggling Beitbridge side, Underhill, at Rufaro stadium was enough evidence that DeMbare will not be out for any compromise, which will put them under pressure of claiming the title, come end of season.
But the pressure appears inevitable and will not be shaken off just by their winning streak alone, as a stubborn second placed Gunners continue to keep track of them, with victories each week.
Moses Chunga’s charges have remained consistent in the race for the prestigious title, giving Bambo all the reason to boasts of his side.
They beat Bulawayo giants, Highlanders, 1-0 in week 16 of the top flight football at Gwanzura stadium, last Saturday. Their newboy, Willard Katsande, acquired from Highway displayed some entertaining football the rest of the afternoon together with midfielder Tapiwa Mangezi and Ramson Zhuwawo.
Zhuwawo scored the solitary goal that rapped a bad week for the Bosso team, which was still mourning the death of their junior coach and former player, Themba Nkiwane.
Goalkeeper, Tafadzwa Dube, must have frustrated Bosso strikers who did all they could to attack for an equalizer as he continued to Gunners’ goal brilliantly, the rest of the afternoon.
Gunners are four points behind the league leaders and if both teams are not to drop points any time soon, Bambo and his charges will need to keep their winning form until week 29, when they face Elvis Chiweshe and his charges.
But for now, any compromising performance of the top two teams will see them lose their position to other competing teams, which will certainly not be left out in the battle for honors.
Caps United won 1-0 against Hwange at the Colliery, as the three points guaranteed them a third place ahead of Lengthens who were into a goalless draw against Black Rhinos.
Former Kiglon captain, Tawanda Nyamandwe, announced his arrival at Caps United with a goal that gave Lloyd Chitembwe’s team a good toss for the long tiresome journey back to the capital, from Hwange.
Their former player, Limited Chikafa, turned out for Shooting Stars, last weekend as his new side won 1-0 against Kiglon.
Reigning champions, Monomotapa, appear to be losing hope of successfully defending their title. They appear to be shifting their attention more to the African safari as their performance together with their position on the log table give much skepticism than confidence that they will successfully defend their title, this year.
They did not fulfill their week 16 fixture, against Highway last weekend as they travelled to Malaysia for some friendly matches, in preparation of their MTN Champions league match against, Etoile Du Sahel, in Harare, this weekend.
Psl secretary general, Kennedy Ndebele, revealed that they did not give them the green-light to skip their match and so Highway may be lucky to be awarded the three points.
Motor Action saw their twelfth draw of the season against Eagles, in a goalless encounter both coaches, Jostein Mathuthu (Motor Action) and Bigboy Mawiwi (Eagles) were out to give their new sides a taste of victory. Bantu Rovers won 2-0 against Njube Sundowns, at Barbourfields stadium.

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.zw/

Muripo kick the power out of World top fighters

WORLD CHAMPION... Third dan black belt Zimabwean karateka, Sensei Samson Muripo (middle) won the World middleweight championship title, in Osaka Japan, on June 30. Shihan (Master) Bas Van Stennis, who was awarded with the seventh dan black belt in appeciation of his karate works in Africa lauded Muripo's achievement saying Zimbabwe and Africa should be proud for producing their first World Champion. -By Grace Chirumanzu.

One on One with The Axe

Young and talented Zimbabwean Motorsport racer, Axcil Jefferies, who is well known in this field as “The Axe” has got all who know of him and those who have heard about him, agree that his future shine so bright. Jefferies (15) won his first championship title in 2001at the Zimbabwe Cadet National Championships when he was just six, racing against drivers double his age. Since then, victory has been his life. In an exciting interview with Grace Chirumanzu, he tells The Zimbabwean on Sunday of his dream to become the youngest Formula One champion, in years to come.

GC: How did you start your racing career and how did people appreciate you at that young age?
AJ: Well, when I was 2 years old, I watched a video of a karting race and I just got hooked on motorsport. At 5 years old I begged my dad to buy me a kart which he did for my 6th birthday and when I first drove it, it just seemed natural for me. I started out at Donnybrook where I won two national championships, then raced in South Africa and won three championships there. I got fortunate enough to besponsored by Toyota and Castrol South Africa. I then went on to race for two years in Europe where I also won many races... I enjoyed it and everyone there was just surprised along the way to know I was from Zimbabwe.
GC: Who is Axcil in personality and what has given you the motivation along the way?
AJ: Well, I am just an ordinary guy like most guys of my age. I wish I had it all. I just work very hard and want to succeed in my dream. I have been lucky, but it’s because I believe I can make it… So I guess I make my luck.
GC: (Smiles) Formula One is widely considered to be the pinnacle of motorsports, how do you take it considering you are much into Kart-racing?
AJ: All formula one drivers started their careers in karting. It is like the primary school of motorsport. So like all of them, my goal is Formula one. The basics of driving are very similar; karting is a down scale of F1… Lots of fun.
GC: What makes you nervous before a race?
AJ: Honestly, I don’t get nervous anymore; I leave that to my Mum andDad. I have had a few accidents, but the sport is really safe these days, so fortunately no injuries. It is much safer than driving on ordinary roads.I just love the excitement that comes with the race, the challenge, the professionalism, the speed; I just want to be the best. I love this sport, if I’m not racing, I will rather be fishing just to relax.
GC: Your team manager from Eurasia Motorsport, Mark Goddard, always speak so highly of you, Suhail, has been there for you and even other racers such as Leeroy Poulter , who won the 2008 Rotax DD2 World Championship believe your future shine so bright. Poulter once said, "If any driver in South Africa has the ability to make it on the international scene, its Axcil Jefferies."
AJ: Yes I am very grateful; I believe God blessed me with the talent and a family that have faith in me. As long as I keep working hard and being true to myself, I think the future is bright. I love sharing it with everyone. I hope to be in Formula one in 4 years time and break many records in the next 10 years. I want to be the youngest F1 world champion.
GC: How have you manage to balance school and sport?
AJ: I am home schooled because of all the travelling. But I made a deal with my dad that I will always work hard at school and do my best. I study a lot at airports and on the plane.
GC: Tell us of the race that you have enjoyed most?
AJ: There are plenty races that I enjoyed, of note was winning in France in the wet weather and my recent in Malaysia, which was my first Formula BMW race. I just wished my mum and sister were there.
GC: What are the challenges you have faced so far?
AJ: I have to be really fit, always. So I work out 2 hours a day in the gym and run 5 kilometers every day. Most of the time I can’t be with my friends and sometimes I see the sacrifices my family make for me. One day I will repay them.
GC: How is it like working with the Eurasia Motorsport team?
AJ: They are so professional, I feel special knowing that a team of 20 men are all there just for me. They are great, they are always there for the motivation and guidance, and I have learnt a lot from them.
GC: With the difficult economic situation in Zimbabwe, it’s impossible to be in motorsport without financial aid. Who are the people behind your success?
AJ: I have been lucky, the last 3 years Toyota/Castrol South Africasponsored me, and this year BMW Germany have come in with sponsorship. But I am most grateful, Pioneer Corporation Zimbabwe have come on board and are nowsponsoring me as well. It is all thanks to these people I am able to race.
GC: What’s your favorite car in the sport?
AJ: I love Ferraris, one day I hope to buy one for myself.
GC: Just something to make us laugh, what is the craziest thing “The Axe” has ever done?
AJ: (Laughs) I have done a few crazy things so far; but I think one of them was travelling to South Africa alone for a race when I was only 8 years old.

FACTfile

Fullnames: Axcil Jefferies

D.O.B: 19 April 1994

P.O.B: Slough, England

Nickname: The Axe

Team: Eurasia Motorsport

www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Bangladesh to tour Zim

BY GRACE CHIRUMANZU

Bangladesh Cricket side is set to tour Zimbabwe for the scheduled five One Day International matches set for August 7-19.
The first match will be played on August 9 followed by fixtures on 11, 14, 16 and 18, in Bulawayo.
National team coach, Walter Chawaguta, was not surprised by Bangladesh’s confirmation of touring the country last week, after other cricket nations have followed the trend of cancelling their tours of Zimbabwe sighting security reasons.
He told The Zimbabwean on Sunday that the Asian team, which is expected to land in the country on August 5, often visits the country and has a picture of the security they will have.
“The other time we decided to tour Pakistan after they assured us of our safety despite reports on violence and the tour went on well. So the Asian countries understand us, they understand the situation well and they know they will always be safe,” Chawaguta said.
Zimbabwe last played an international match against Kenya away from home, in February. The previous month they had faced Sri-Lanka and Bangladesh in a tri-nations series held in Bangladesh.
Since then, the senior side has missed the opportunity of playing against internationally experienced players as teams remained reluctant to visit the country.
Zimbabwe was scheduled host Canada last March as well as New Zealand next month. But the tours disappeared into oblivion after the two nations cancelled their trips.
The Prosper Utseya captained side was also to play host to a Triangular One Day series featuring India and South Africa, next month, but as the nation awaited their neighbors’ confirmation, India put their visit on hold.
Chawaguta hopes to make use of the chance that will come with the tour of The Tigers.
“We have a couple of new players who came out of the domestic league who we want to try and work with as we expose them to a competitive international match,” Chawaguta said.
“We are not playing as much international matches as we want to play but we will have to utilize on what we have. There are other outstanding international matches ZC is trying to push for with talks with the involved countries and we keep hoping that we will play them.”

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/

Zimbabwe rugby’s bright future fading

BY GRACE CHIRUMANZU
Rugby has been one of the major sports in Zimbabwe, in recent years, but its future teeters on the verge of demise.
The country has proved a force to reckon with in the continent, with the national rugby sevens team emerging the only African side to win a silverware, at this year’s edition of the International Rugby Board World Cup.
It is currently ranked 54 in the world and 10 in Africa. But just as tennis fell apart and cricket was crippled by the departure of experienced players, it is feared rugby may soon disappear into oblivion, due to lack of funding.
Zimbabwe Rugby Union president, Themba Sibanda, admitted to The Zimbabwean on Sunday that “the Union cannot do anything” to save the sport from falling apart “without the help of the corporate world.”
“In the whole world every sport is heavily funded by the corporate world,” he said.
“The current economic situation has heavily affected us; companies are not interested in taking part in such activities. As ZRU we are faced with a difficult situation where we are not sure whether to fund one team and forget about the rest or should we continue with the development.”
The Cheetahs failed to travel to Morocco, for the Tangiers Sevens Tournament, held this month after the Union fell short of funds for the trip.
Ironically, the sevens side were out to seek IRB recognition to regularly play as one of the core nations, which takes part in the competitive sevens circuit –a series of tournaments played all year round by the ten best performing sides of the world- by impressing in the Hong Kong Sevens.
According to Sibanda, ZRU is not financially equipped to fund the national teams to participate in such high profile tournaments.
It has been due to this lack of sponsorship that has seen the influx of talented Zimbabwean rugby players into neighboring South Africa and other foreign lands.
The loss of talented and experienced players has also been triggered by a local league devoid of competition and professionalism and the national players’ limited exposure to international matches.
The South African rugby leagues have since benefited from the country’s problems at the expense of local competitions.
Zimbabwe lost talented players such as Tonderai Chavhanga, speedy winger, Wes Mbanje, fullback Cleopas Makotose, Tendai "Beast" Mtawarira, wingers Tangai Nemadire and Gerry Sibanda.
A raging debate is often discussed within the rugby fraternity whether Zimbabwe will be able to retain its players for national duty and back into local leagues.
But just as it is an insurmountable task for ZRU to retain them, Sibanda reveals that it is inevitable to stop those moving as the country’s rugby governing board has nothing better to offer.
“We lose players to foreign clubs on a weekly basis and there is nothing much we can do to stop that at the moment,” he said.
“The players will continue moving as they seek to play the sport professionally. The league here is played more like a hobby; they are not paid for it. Until we can be able to offer players at least $US500 per month then we can start thinking of retaining them.”
Sibanda told The Zimbabwean on Sunday it is not up to them to tell when the future of rugby in Zimbabwe will shine bright as it is all dependent “on the economy and the participation of the corporate world.”


http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/

Bantu Rovers aim to make amends

BY GRACE CHIRUMANZU
Bulawayo-based side, Bantu Rovers, who have been competing with bottom placed Underhill, for the tail of the pack, will be looking at using their win against Eagles, last week as a pace-setter, in the premier soccer league match against Shooting Stars, at Gwanzura, today.
Head coach, Gift Lunga, hopes that “lady luck” will smile on them today and in the matches to come, as he admitted to The Zimbabwean that “we have put ourselves under pressure.”
“It was not a matter of not performing, I believe we have just been unlucky,” said Lunga.
Bantu Rovers, a side formed out of Mutare’s Eastern Lions franchise, this year, has managed to collect seven points off nine matches. The Bulawayo side together with Underhill has suffered six defeats to be the teams with most defeats in the 16-team competition.
Though Underhill is yet to win a match, Bantu Rovers have tasted victory twice and drew once.
The team generated a lot of expectations from the local football fanatics. Some anticipated a stubborn rival of Highlanders in the Methembe Ndlovu owned club, as others appeared to have found a new team to support after a disappointing season by the Bulawayo giants, last year.
But Bantu Rovers have since failed to live up to the expectation. The club needs to pick some points in the following matches to reduce the pressure of fighting against relegation towards the end of the season.
Lunga who is well aware of the difficult situation his charges are hopes his troops snatch some points away from home against a side he respects.
“I admit it is a good side (Shooting Stars) and we are going to put our effort as we have been doing. The better team of the day will win,” he declared.
Shooting Stars picked a point in their last away match; they drew 1-1 against Njube Sundowns at Pelandaba Stadium, last weekend.
They have so far amassed 13 points from their nine matches.

www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

SA karate camp hosts Zim athletes

BY GRACE CHIRUMANZU

A total of 165 fighters convened for an annual international kyokushin karate camp, in Stellenbosch, South Africa, last weekend. Three Zimbabwean karatekas took part in the training camp, which also hosted athletes from Zambia and other South African Provinces, which include KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Free State, Limpopo, Boland, Eastern Cape including Transkei and Border The three were Sensei Tendayi Marange, Tawanda Mufundisi and Sydney Veremu who according to reports in South Africa, performed “exceptionally well.”
According to one of the African karate masters, Shihan Hennie Bosman,karatekas had an opportunity to use such a competitive event to prepare for the World Karate Champs to take place in Hungary, later this year.
“Yes, the world championship is obviously the highlight of each year and we are giving everything in our preparation. Our top fighters such as Siyabonga Tyandela, Barry Gelderblom and Roger Williams have participated previously at the championships.
“They have gained tremendous experience and know what to expect, and they will be up to the task come October,” said Bosman.
Zimbabwean fighters have proved a force to reckon with regionally, in recent years. But lack of sponsorship to global events, which will boost their experience has been their barrier to their success.
Mufundisi and Veremu are full-time instructors at Shihan Hennie Bosman’s Dojo, in South Africa’s port city of Cape Town.