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.

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