Chidzambwa and Antipass for national team

By Nkanyiso Moyo

SUNDAY Chidzambwa will have a second dance with the Zimbabwe national soccer team after he was unveiled as the Warriors’ new coach on Thursday.
The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) announced it would not be renewing current coach Jose Valinhos’ contract when it expires on December 31.
Chidzambwa, formerly known as Marimo, will be assisted by Shooting Stars coach Joey Antipas.
The two coaches were unveiled to the media at ZIFA House in Harare on Thursday.
With Brazilian Valinhos waiting to see out his contract, Chidzambwa and Antipas are expected to take charge of the Zimbabwe team that will host South Africa on November 30 in the Africa Nations Championships – a tournament designed for players from domestic African leagues.
The Brazilian, who was expected to be the architect of Zimbabwe’s qualification to the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa and continental showpiece, the Africa
Cup of Nations finals in Angola, failed at the second of three hurdles for the two tournaments.
He flopped when he could only finish third behind Kenya and Guinea in the group qualifiers and a 4-2 drubbing by Namibia was the final straw. Zimbabweans were clear about that they had had enough of him and ZIFA.
Chidzambwa’s resume speaks for itself having won virtually everything on Zimbabwean soil as a player and years later as Dynamos coach. He was capped over 40 times for the country before and after Independence.
As Dynamos coach, he wrote himself a piece of history when he qualified for the African Champions League final in 1998 and in 1999 he was back in the business guiding the Harare outfit to the mini league stage of the same competition.
On his way to guiding his country to a first appearance in the Africa Cup of Nations finals played in Tunisia in 2003, Chidzambwa had won the country’s second COSAFA Castle Cup the previous year.
This year Chidzambwa was involved in the Dynamos structures as the most popular Zimbabwean team reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in the capacity of technical director to a team coached by David Mandigora a teammate during the team’s magnificent run of 1980-1983 a period in which they won four consecutive titles.

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Mapeza disqualified

MONOMOTAPA mentor, Norman Mapeza, was chopped out of the coach of the year award nominees as the Sports Writers Association of Zimbabwe, gathered for the selection in Kwekwe, on November 15.

Despite taking over an average team to save it from relegation, last season, to inspire it into topping the table having outwitted champions, Dynamos, Highlanders and Caps United, Mapeza still was stripped off of the tag –coach of the year.

SWAZ Marketing director, Charles Mabika told reporters before they could hand over their nominees ‘Monomotapa was sanctioned for not playing the CBZ FA Cup semi-final and Mapeza precipitated the violence –we are condemning violence in the strongest terms.’

‘So for this reason Mapeza is out,’ Mabika added.

For a coach who has been outstanding with his leadership and coaching skills, Mapeza was with no doubt, the man for the title despite being a reserved character to the media, therefore failing to share his vast knowledge of the game with the people.

He has passionate love for football that drives him to be very vocal and critical of the referees, hardly sitting on the bench, during his matches.

A man who would certainly react to any kind of provocation such as the incident at Sakubva stadium, a fortnight ago.

That is the character of the former national team skipper –and starving him of a well deserved coach of the year award meant overlooking his achievement so far to focus on an incident any human would have reacted the same way.

There were mixed feelings among the panel of selectors in Kwekwe, last weekend, as some sports writers felt that ‘Mapeza had been treated unfairly’

Standardsport’s veteran sports editor, Lloyd Mutungamiri, told The Zimbabwean ‘that criteria is embarrassing on our part, my position is, whoever shall be awarded, should do the right thing and hand over the award to the person who deserves it; who in this case is Mapeza.’

‘I have known Mapeza since his days at Darryn-T and he will never point a finger at anyone,’ Mutungamiri added.

The decision left eyes focused on Dynamos head coach, David Mandigora and Njube Sundowns’ Philani Ncube.

Mandigora has been in charge of the Glamour Boys during their campaign in the MTN Caf Champions League, in which De-mbare emerged one of the top four teams on the continent.

He has a good record of discipline on and off the field.

But the shoes for the coach-of-the-year are simply big for Yogie.

Dynamos is one of the teams, if not the only team with talented players from the first eleven, right through their bench, a team that can afford resting stylish midfielder, Justice Majabvi, Edward Sadomba, goalkeeper Willard Manyatera –selected as 2008 CBZ PSL soccer stars of the year- and go on to win a match.

It is not to take away anything away from Yogie, but after the dubious substitutes during league matches, the surprising starting line-up against Al Ahly, at Rufaro stadium, he is one coach the nation can only admire for his character and determination but not trust as coach of the year.

Ncube of Sundowns has done a commendable job in leading his team into the top three teams on the table, with his charges remaining consistent in the league.

He is potentially a 2008 coach-of-the-year after Mapeza’s expulsion.

Cup Semi-final mess

The CBZ FA Cup semi-final was a dismal failure last weekend with the rival match between Dynamos and Caps United never reaching the final whistle.
In Mutare, the two teams Monomotapa and Eastern Lions never took their battle to the park, but Mapeza and his charges left for Harare, following the former national team captain’s assault.
Mapeza was assaulted by a named member of Eastern Lions’ supporters committee who gave hit him in the face, giving him a cut on top of his left eye. He was treated and given two stitches before he left Mutare, but some officials in the football circles have argued that, Mapeza ‘should have at least played under protest.’
‘Sometimes it is of no use to complain, when you know your complaints will not be considered. I can not risk my players in any way,’ Mapeza said.
Meanwhile, referee Tendai Bwanya was unfortunate to be in charge of the whistle during a period when local referees have been criticized for dubious officiating, a time when Dynamos supporters were hungry to watch their team revenging Caps United of the ABC Sup8r semi-final victory.
‘We would rather be beaten by schoolboys, Prince Edward than be outplayed by Dynamos,’ a Green Machine follower said.
There was tension, but Bwanya handled it fairly. He didn’t fall for Edward Sadomba’s professional dive in the box, 19 minutes into play and the only blunder of the day was when he did not award the reigning league champions a penalty, when in the 35th minute, defender David Kutyauripo handled in the box.
He certainly could not have made a remedy by awarding Justice Majabvi a penalty after a foul by Method Mwanjali, just outside the box.
Unfortunately without a replay of the action, the infuriated Dynamos supporters in the terraces could not forgive Bwanya and started throwing things on the pitch. The match was abandoned with the Green Machine leading 2-1.

Last throw of the dice for Warriors

WARRIORS skipper Benjani Mwaruwari has missed his own October 2 deadline to return to action and has been ruled out of Saturday’s World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Namibia in Windhoek.

An 18-man squad left for Windhoek on Thursday.

Mwaruwari has missed the start of the English Premiership for Manchester City and his absence deals a cruel blow to Brazilian coach Valinhos who is looking at one last great leap in the campaign after last month’s 0-0 draw against Guinea at home.

The Warriors are third and should group leaders Kenya beat Guinea and Zimbabwe beat Namibia, the Warriors might be still in with a chance.

Benjani’s absence and that of defender Noel Kaseke and midfielder Justice Majabvi through injuries was confirmed by manager Sharrif Mussa.

Gilbert Mushangazhike of Orlando Pirates, Quincy Antipas who plays in Denmark and Cuthberth Malajila are the remaining strikers in the team as Dynamos striker Edward Sadomba has reportedly gone AWOL.

Method Mwanjali is back in the team with Pride Tafirenyika, goalkeeper Willard Manyatera and Ovid Karuru are also in the squad together with regular David Kutyauripo of CAPS United, among other local-based stars.

The rest of the team is unchanged -- Obert Moyo, Onisimo Bhasera, James Matola, Zvenyika Makonese, Esrom Nyandoro, Joel Luphahla, Tapuwa Kapini, Energy Murambadoro, Tinashe Nengomasha.

The Warriors need to win the match against Namibia and hope that Kenya beat Guinea and they will then enter FIFA’s complex mathematics of qualifying for the next round, where eight best losers will join the 12 group winners.

The 12 teams ranked first automatically qualify for the third round. For the eight teams ranked second, the following system will be adopted to rank fairly teams ranked second in the current groups of four or three teams: For teams in groups of four, a new classification will be made for teams ranked second. Only their results with teams ranked first and third in their respective groups (home and away) would be taken into account. Results of matches with the team ranked fourth will not be taken into consideration.

For teams ranked second in groups of three, all their matches will be taken into account.

The teams will then be put on a table and classed based on the number of points, the goal difference then the highest number of goals scored.

The eight best losers based on this classification will be added to the 12 group winners, and the teams would be through to the nest round of qualification.

If teams ranked eighth and ninth are equal on all those measures, a playoff match will be organised next month.

The 20 countries that qualified for the third round will be drawn in five groups of four teams and the first three teams in each group will qualify for the final tournament of the 2010 CAN along the organising country (Angola).

For the group of Angola, in case Angola qualifies for the 3rd round, the other three teams in its group will qualify automatically for the CAN 2010. The ranking of
this group will be done to determine which team will qualify for the World Cup.

For the group of South Africa, in case South Africa qualifies for the 3rd round, there will be two separate rankings. The other three teams will be ranked within the group in order to determine which team will qualify for the World Cup (this ranking will not take into account the results of these teams with South Africa).

Another second ranking will be carried out with the four teams taking into account all the group's results to determine the three teams that will qualify for CAN 2010. South Africa must be at least amongst the top three to qualify for the Nations Cup.

Squad:
Goalkeepers: Tapuwa Kapini (Platinum Stars, SA), Energy Murambadoro (Bidvest Wits, SA)

Defenders: David Kutyauripo (CAPS United, Zim), Onismor Bhasera (Kaizer Chiefs, SA), Zhaimu Jambo (Gunners, Zim), Zvenyika Makonese (Santos, SA), James Matola (Free State Stars, SA), Obert Moyo Pretoria University, SA), Method Mwanjali (CAPS United, Zim)

Midfielders: Esrom Nyandoro (Mamelodi Sundowns, SA), Tinashe Nengomasha (Kaizer Chiefs, SA), Joel Luphahla (Platinum Stars, SA), Ovidy Karuru (Gunners, Zim), Pride Tafirenyika (Shooting Stars, Zim), C Matawu (Motor Action, Zim)

Strikers: Cuthberth Malajila (Highlanders, Zim), Gilbert Mushangazhike (Orlando Pirates, SA), Quincy Antipas (Blokhus FC, Denmark)

Group 2 Log:

	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts
1	Kenya	5	3	1	1	6	2	10
2	Guinea	5	2	2	1	6	3	8
3	Zimbabwe	5	1	3	1	2	2	6
4	Namibia	5	1	0	4	3	10

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Chawaguta confident of cricketers

The Zimbabwean cricket team will face Sri Lanka, in a one day international series on October 10, before facing the host, Canada, on October 11, in a four-nation Twent20 tournament.
This will be Zimbabwe's second international outing after the tour of Pakistan in January.
Despite missing the services of potential hard-hitting batsmen Vusi Sibanda, Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams, the inconsistent but talented national team boasts a handful of experienced young players.
Among them is all-rounder, Elton Chigumbura, wicket-keeper/batsman, Tatenda Taibu, Stuart Matsikenyeri Hamilton Masakadza and off-spinners, Raymond Price, captain Prosper Utseya and Graeme Cremer.
National team coach, Walter Chawaguta, is confident that the new kid on the block, Cephas Zhuwawo (pictured), who has impressed as an opening batsman, will use the tour to boost his confidence.
"Vusi is an attacking opening batsman, replacing him will be difficult but we have young and promising stars. Zhuwawo has been doing well in local super leagues and the tour of Canada and Kenya should put him where he should be," Chawaguta said.
Zimbabwe will play Pakistan on October 12, in Toronto.
Chawaguta hopes that history will repeat itself after their surprise victory over Australia in the Twenty20 World Cup, held in South Africa last year.
"We have been playing a number of competitive Super leagues, which were in the form of twenty20 cricket and they have helped the boys prepare for their assignment," Chawaguta said.
After the last match in Canada, on October 12, Chawaguta and his troops will tour Kenya, for the tri-angular series featuring Ireland, Zimbabwe and the hosts.
The eight-day tournament will be played at the Nairobi Gymkhana club, where the three countries will play a round robin series before a final.
Despite Zimbabwe's suspension from next year's edition of the Twenty20 global showpiece in England, the countries involved in the tour of Canada and Kenya have been reported to be "comfortable with playing against Zimbabwe."
Squad: Prosper Utseya (captain), Regis Chakabva, Chamu Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura, Graeme Cremer, Keith Dabengwa, Tymcen Maruma, Hamilton Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Chris Mpofu, Tawanda Mupariwa, Taurai Muzarabani, Raymond Price, Tatenda Taibu, Cephas Zhuwao. Coach- Walter Chawaguta, Manager- Givemore Makoni.

The secret behind Monomotapa

HARARE - Eemerging Harare giants, Monomotapa Football Club, have enjoyed life on the top of the CBZ premier soccer league, log standings for several months.
There is debate about whether the champions, Dynamos, will catch up or if the Glamour Boys will watch the cup slipping away, with Monos' every win fueling the debate.
With the players' hunger for victory, the dedication and passionate love of football by the head coach and the commitment of the team sponsors, Monomotapa will claim a place among the big three of Zimbabwean football: Caps United, affectionately known as The Green Machine, Dynamos and Highlanders, also known as Bosso.
What has made Monomotapa tick this year?
They certainly did not take advantage of The Green Machine's low form this season, neither will their power over Bosso in the first half of the season, be related to the team's blunder of firing a loyal and tactful coach, Methembe Ndlovu, nor was their dominance over De-mbare due to David Mandigora's typical challenge of reading games.
They are all football can ask for from a good quality team.
The team headed by Mapeza, consists of assistant Rodwell Dhlakama, team manager Clayton Munemo, and lady medic Loveness Mangena.
On several visits to the team's training sessions at Alex Sports Club, The Zimbabwean witnessed a strong bond between Mapeza and his charges. He has been described by captain, Mthulisi Maphosa, as a coach very good in motivating his troops.
Mapeza, 36, the youngest coach in the premier league, has been described by other football analyst as being "too serious", hardly relaxing on the bench even when his team is in control of the game.
"I'm serious because I want to win, people have to be serious in everything they aim to achieve in life, I hate losing," Mapeza said.
Mapeza has always made sure he doesn't get too close to his team off the field.
"If players get too close to the coach, they tend to lose their respect for him," he said.
Monomotapa do not train twice daily, but they do train 24 hours before a match, a day most coaches prefer to rest their players for the big game.
All the credit for the club's remarkable performance so far, will not be hailed to the technical team alone. The boys have shown a lot of maturity and have plunged into their battles with the team at heart.
Among them is Daniel Zokoto, Maphosa, Charles Chiutsa, Godfrey Mangove, Tendai Samanja and Luckmore Simango.
"We have players who are not mercenaries, players who have been there for the club since division one and players who have the team at heart. Though we did not struggle to the point of fighting relegation in 2005, the loss of experienced Malawian based players, Peter Mponda, Robert Nga'mbi and Patrick Nyasulu back to their countries due to the country's economic challenges affected us. But we are happy we survived and the coach has managed to share his experiences as a player with the team," Club Secretary, David Makombe said.

KOBA outwit Volleyball giants

HARARE - The Kutama Old Boys Association outwitted volleyball heavyweights, Bulldogs, 3-2 in the Cransburg's Super 8 tournament on October 4.
Bulldogs, who had never tasted defeat on the local scene, got a surprise when KOBA came from behind to grab the title in a tightly contested last set.
National team player and best spiker of the tournament, Tatenda Mapigoti, powered Bulldogs to a 2-0 lead with his powerful jump serves and attack, giving KOBA's experienced players Karlee Chiware, captain Tawanda Sithole, Kudzi Chironga and Everisto Mupukuta, a tough time.
But Chiware and Mupukuta turned the tables in the last three sets leading the attack as Sithole mounted a strong block.
Despite Bulldogs setter, Tawanda Pamire's splendid second balls that were met with a strong finish by Tendai Mupingu, KOBA had faith in Tendai Mugamu who scooped the best setter award.
"We could see it coming because we had so much prepared for this tournament, now I can say we are the team to beat," Sithole said.
Meanwhile, Gweru's Railton Cats won the women's edition of the Super 4 showdown.
They outwitted Dolphins and Jewel Sisters as Thobekile Mswazi and Patricia Muzokomba won the best spiker and most valuable player respectively.
Dolphins' Maceline Ngosi, was awarded the best receiver.
Jewel Sisters' Portia Chiwetu was dubbed the best blocker as the best setter award went to Eunice Mutede of J.S Harare.

Picture caption: Dolphins' Grace Chirumanzu volleys a fish ball behind J.S Harare's block. J.S won 3-2 over Dolphins.

GOLDEN GIRL

Zimbabwe's swimming sensation, Kirsty Coventry, 24, collects a gold medal in the 200m backstroke in the 2008 Beijing Olymics. Coventry also won three silver medals in the Individual medleys.

Latest CBZ PSL Log standings

TEAM		Played	Won	Drew	Lost	G/F	G/A	Points
1	Monomotapa	16	11	1	4	27	21	34
2	Njube Sundowns	16	9	1	6	27	20	28
3	Highlanders	16	7	6	3	24	10	27
4	Motor Action	16	9	2	5	18	17	27
5	Dynamos	15	7	6	2	17	11	27
6	Chapungu	16	6	5	5	21	14	23
7	Kiglon	16	5	7	4	17	15	22
8	Shooting Stars	16	6	3	7	15	17	22
9	Lengthens	16	6	2	8	20	22	20
10	Masvingo United	16	5	5	6	14	21	20
11	Underhill	16	5	4	7	24	33	19
12	Gunners	16	4	4	8	18	21	17
13	CAPS United	16	4	5	7	17	21	17
14	Eastern Lions	16	4	5	7	13	18	17
15	CAPS FC	16	3	6	7	16	20	15
16	Lancashire Steel	15	3	4	8	15	24	13

TOP GOAL SCORERS:

PLAYER & TEAM	GOALS
Evans Chikwaikwai (Njube Sundowns)	15
Cuthberth Malajila (Highlanders)	12
Edward Sadomba (Dynamos)	10
Nyasha Mushekwi (CAPS United), Daniel Zokoto (Monomotapa)	7
Tawanda Nyamandwe (Kiglon), Douglas Zimbago (Highlanders)	6
Simon Chipunza (Lancashire Steel), Charles Chiutsa (Monomotapa)	5
Thanks Tengwe (Gunners), Patrick Tom (Sundowns), Kudakwashe Musharu (Underhill)	4

Mapeza remains humble

Former Warriors defensive midfielder, 36-year-old Norman Mapeza, may not be promising the title for Monomotapa players but his charges have learnt a lot from their head coach. Off field Mapeza is a down to earth gentleman, in contrast to the short-tempered and vocal head coach usually seen at Dzivarasekwa stadium.

 

G.C What has been the secret behind Monos’ success?

N.M In football there are what are called the three ‘D’s, that’s discipline, determination and dedication. Discipline on and off the field comes first and it is something I brought to the club, my boys know what I tell them about going to the refs when one is not a captain, I’m against that. There is also unity; I have a good relationship with my assistant and the team manager.

G.C Speaking of referees, how have you find the standard of refereeing in Zimbabwe, would you say there was a time Monos was robbed of a victory due to poor refereeing?

N.M One thing we should understand is referees are human and they do make mistakes at times, they need us as much as we need them. Its pointless for teams to complain about referees when they would have not even made any attempts to score, they should score 10 goals and watch the referee call them all off and then everyone would know they have been cheated.

G.C You had a false start of the season, losing your first four games. What was the problem then?

N.M We were really playing well in those first games, it was only that luck was not on our side.

G.C Normally when a team is not doing well, they risk their coach’s job. How were your bosses taking it? Did they give you any conditions?

N.M No, it never was like that. They were appreciating that the boys were doing their best and like I said it was a matter of not being lucky enough.

G.C You helped Monos survive relegation last year and this season the boys are enjoying life at the top of the log. Do you believe you are the man to help Monos win the title this year?

N.M It is still too early to talk of the championship. There are still about 45 points at stake and every team is still in with a big chance; even if Lancashire is to win their remaining matches they will make it.  We are taking each game as it comes and our main aim is to win all our matches.

G.C You hardly sit on the bench when your team is playing, even when you are winning. Many have seen you to be too serious as a coach.

N.M Yes I’m a serious coach because I want to win, I hate losing that’s why. Just like in everything we do in life, if we want to achieve anything we have to be serious. I have time to make jokes but if it is during a match or training, I’m always serious.

G.C There were issues of you exchanging words with Valinhos during a national team training,  the reports never featured your voice, what is your side of the story?

N.M There wasn’t anything like that; those people don’t know what happened. I don’t have a problem with Valinhos; there wasn’t anything like exchange of words. I still have respect for him.

G.C Tell us of your dream Norman?

N.M My dream is to win titles as a coach. I have done well as a player, winning medals, shields and trophies but I have not yet achieved titles as a coach.

G.C Which young players do you see with a promising future in Zimbabwe?

N.M Aah..! It is really difficult to tell these days. You see the problem in Zimbabwe is that we don’t have junior leagues where you can easily identify talented youngsters. I think clubs should have a strict junior policy where they will have U/14, U/16 and U/18 teams using the right players in the correct age groups. Back in my days we used to play in the junior leagues and we knew each other with the likes of Lloyd Chitembwe and different players from the other clubs. We had a consistent national team from the juniors to the seniors and it was easy to identify young and talented players.

G.C How do you feel seeing your former club, Caps United, struggling in the league?

N.M I had a good time when I was at Caps United. When a big team struggles it affects everyone who is associated with it, but it is something that happens in football. I hope things will be well for them.

G.C Tell us of your memories in the national team?

N.M It was when we beat Cameroon at the National Sports Stadium in 1993; we won 1-0, Agent Sawu scored. It was my first game with the national team at home; of course my international debut was in Zambia. Cameroon had all their best players in the team and they had previously participated in the 1990 World Cup in Italy.