Leopards discipline Cavaliers

BY GRACE CHIRUMANZU

VARSITY Leopards humiliated Kingdom Cavaliers in both the women and men ‘A’ matches of the Harare Basketball League’s week 22, played at the University of Zimbabwe, last weekend.
Leopards men beat Cavs 71-46 to power themselves of 34 points on position three of the log table. They trail with two points behind leaders JBC with both teams having a game in hand. Sigauke sits on second position with 36 points in 19 matches.
Spencer Nyamadzawo’s charges, the Cavaliers women may have been whipped 39-61 by Leopards, but the loss did not deprive them the luxury of enjoying life at the top of the table.
With Leopards winning the match for two points for a total of 26, their opponents, the losers of the day had 26 points before the match but led the pack with a point, earned from fulfilling their fixture, which is the lovely part of basketball.
Stormers are on the bottom of the pack with 15points from 14 outings. They suffered a humiliating 10-91 loss at the hands of Raiderz (23 points) who are in the race for the championship titles. Raiderz women are on position four, behind JBC (26 points), Leopards and leaders Cavaliers.
They stand a chance of reducing the deficit in their two games in hand.
Meanwhile unbeaten JBC enjoy life at the top of the log table in Harare Basketball’s ‘A’ league, with a total of 36 points amassed from 18 matches.
The national champions showed no mercy to Golden Spurs when they silenced the passionate but inexperienced side 117-57.
JBC share the same points with second placed, Sigauke but the later have two loses to their record from the 19 matches played.
Despite suffering a heavy blow last weekend, Spurs refuse to be the tail of the pack and ironically, the Gentlemen’s Association and South Central both with 21 points are on position 13 and 14 of the 14-team log table, respectively.

Warriors date the group leaders

BY GRACE CHIRUMANZU

THE Zimbabwe national soccer team will be set to make a comeback from a disappointing 2-all draw against Ghana, last Monday, as the Warriors date the group leaders, Democratic Republic of Congo, in a group B match of the inaugural African Nations Championship (CHAN), set for the Stade de la Paix, Bouaké, on Thursday (26 Feb 2009).

The Warriors shared points with the Black Stars of Ghana having opened a two goal lead in the 36th minute courtesy of Ovidy Karuru and Philip Marufu’s scores.
But once the Black Stars found their first threw midfielder Ibrahim Ayew, the first son of Ghana football legend Abedi Pele, hell broke a series of unfortunate events untangled the Warriors of Southern Africa.
Willard Manyatera who had been outstanding the whole of the hot afternoon, commendably clearing threatening crosses form the opponents’ strike force, forced Ayew’s shot into the nets in what seemed to had been a poor judgment of a not-so-tricky ball by the Dynamos goalkeeper.
He might have blamed himself for the second one but he will not shoulder the blame for the sharing spoils with the Black Stars. The Warriors strike force was not convincing upfront save for Philip Marufu who appeared to have been fighting a lone battle.
Pride Tafirenyika is an impressive attacking midfielder when he features for his side Shooting Stars, now Caps United, but he failed to deliver for the Warriors as he was being played out of position.
He was dropped to the position of central midfielder by head coach, Sunday Chidzambwa, and little if not none of his electric displays were seen for the Warriors’ advantage. Chidzambwa appeared to have concentrated on the defense more than on the strike force.
Despite inevitably watching the first ball of their opponents slipping past them, straight to the nets, defenders Thomas Sweswe and Captain Gilbert Banda did justice to keep it tight at the back.
Zimbabwe will be hoping to pull a win against DRC today as the Chidzambwa’s men seek three points to lead the group for a chance to progress to the next stage of the competition, designed only for players plying their trade in the local leagues.
Their opponents today beat Lybia 2-0 to collect all points consequently leading the group. But if the Warriors’ last performance is anything to come by, this time they won’t escape with a point and they will sadly end their assignment in the group stages just as at the 2004 and 2006 Africa Cup of Nations.
In another Group B match to be played on the same venue, today, Lybia take on Ghana, as both teams seek their first victory of the showpiece.

Group B Log Table
Team MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
RD Congo 1 1 0 0 2 0 2 3
Ghana 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 1
Zimbabwe 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 1
Libya 1 0 0 1 0 2 -2 0

Black, Huber at it again in Paris

TRIUMPHANT: Liezel Huber and Cara Black hold their trophies after defeating Kveta Peschke and Lisa Raymond during their doubles finals match of the Paris Open tennis tournament in Paris February 15, 2009

Cephas Chimedza interview

24-year old former Dynamos and Caps United midfielder, Cephas Chimedza, tells Grace Chirumanzu in an interview that he would not miss Belgium if ever he is going to leave.

Grace Chirumanzu (G.C): How long did it take for you to settle in Sint Truiden, Belgium? Have you now reached a point where you are comfortable there?
Cephas Chimedza(C.C): It did not take me long because I knew what to expect having played for a Belgian team before.
G.C: What was your dream when you were a child?
C.C: I wanted to have a good job like being a doctor but it all changed as the years went by.
G.C: What do you think you would have done if you had not become a footballer like you didn’t become a doctor? Did you have a plan B?
C.C: After I joined Dynamos juniors in 1999 and eventually got promoted to the first team in 2001 all I ever wanted from that time was to be a footballer, so I never had a plan B.
G.C: What is your attitude towards racism in football and has it ever affected u at one point?
C.C: It’s really a bad thing but it is so difficult to curb because one can’t really change someone’s opinion on things, something they believe in but personally I haven't been affected.
G.C: Your team is currently not playing in the premier league (Jupiler League), are u comfortable playing in the lower league?
C.C: Sint Truiden has always been in the top flight league until the relegation at the end of last season, but right now we are on top and look likely to be promoted.
G.C: If you are to leave Belgium, what would u miss about the country?
C.C: I won’t miss anything I will be happy to finally leave, because of the weather, it is very bad, the culture too.
G.C: How are foreigners treated at your club and in Belgium at social levels?
C.C: Usually as a foreigner you just have to work harder than the local guys I think that is how it is everywhere, but other than that everything else is the same.
G.C: Tell us of some moments u had on your first days at the club that u always remember with laughter or sadness?
C.C: It was when I stayed in my new apartment without a television set and no hot water for 2 weeks, I really felt unwanted.
G.C: Having played for a club outside Zimbabwe, where can u say the problem of our football lies? And what should be done to improve it?
C.C: I think it is poor administration and the solution is just to put people with the football knowhow in office.
G.C: I understand Dutch, French and German are the three official languages spoken in Belgium; how have you handled the language barrier?
C.C: Quit fortunately for me, they are now learning English also. So all the time it’s English, it only becomes a challenge when you go to French speaking regions where you will be forced to speak French if you want to communicate.
G.C: What are the challenges you have faced so far?
C.C: Just being lonely.
G.C: What is the craziest thing you have ever done in your career as a footballer?
C.C: Walking out of my 2 year contract after just 6 months.
G.C: Which player are u closest to at your club?
C.C He is from the Czech Republic and has played for Hearts in Scotland and he speaks good English.
G.C: Which player in Zimbabwe would you say has a good future and would do wonders in foreign clubs?
C.C: They are quite a number of players coming through; I think the players who will be a success in foreign clubs are the likes of Zhaimu Jambo and Ovidy Karuru. It is just to mention a few.
G.C: What are the remaining ambitions in your career?
C.C: My ambition is to play in a major league because my team is currently playing in the lower division.
G.C: Zimbabwe had its own great players such as Francis Shonhayi, Wilfred and William Mugeyi but hardly anybody has emulated them. Are you prepared for a time when you might be considered Zimbabwe's greatest player?
C.C: All I just have to do is keep working as hard as I can but I have never thought of being among the greatest.

also published on http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/

Cheetahs in IRB World Cup opener

BY GRACE CHIRUMANZU

ZIMBABWE’S Rugby Sevens will be looking at proving a force to reckon with at the international stage when they take on Wales, in an opening match of the 2009 IRB Sevens World Cup, when the tournament explodes into life in Dubai, on March 5.The Zimbabweans who are also known as “The Cheetahs” are in Pool F. They are pooled with heavyweights Argentina, who recently won the San Diego sevens tournament, which ended in USA, last weekend.
According to a source, the San Diego sevens, “the last major event before the Rugby World Cup kicks off in Dubai produced even more intriguing results, with Argentina taking the Cup honours for only the second time in IRB Sevens World Series history.”
The Cheetahs will not only face Argentina who will be bubbling with a morale-booster, they were awarded in America but also face an equally competitive Uruguay in their pool fixture.
Uruguay team manager, Felipe Puig, was full of praise for The Cheetahs, telling thie reporter, “Zimbabwe Sevens Team is rated as a second level team, immediately after the top class teams (NZ, Fidji, England etc). In a good day, Zimbabwe can beat a first class team.”
““Uruguay is ranked fourth in the pool, so Zimbabwe stands a good chance of qualifying ahead of us,” he added.
Puig however remains optimistic that his team has the ability to pull a win, on a bright day.
“We think that if we are lucky and perform well on the day, we can give Zimbabwe and Wales a good challenge.”
The Cheetahs will however not be taking any team for granted especially after Uruguay turned down regional powerhouse, Kenya, in San Diego, last weekend.
The Cheetahs head coach Liam Middleton is very positive of the global showdown, believing it to be a lifetime opportunity.
““If we had not qualified for the World Cup it would be something that held us back from our progression, because whatever you say it’s a huge thing, it comes around once every four years and some players only experience it once in their careers. Qualifying for this World Cup is a milestone in the country’s real development in Sevens.”

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.

www.newzimbabwe.com

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

www.newzimbabwe.com

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.