Bukhosi Mangena Sports Correspondent
THE National Youth Education through Sport (YES) Games will make a return to the national sporting calendar in December after a year’s absence during which they made way for the 2014 AUSC Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games held in Bulawayo last December. The 2015 edition of the YES Games will be held from December 5-8 in Chinhoyi and promises to be a huge event as the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) have doubled the number of participating teams from 25 to 50 teams.

Each province would be required to field two football teams, two volleyball sides and one netball team.

The host province, Mashonaland West, has already assembled a local organising committee (LOC) to spearhead the games’ preparations.

All provinces are set to start preparations for the games next month by holding district qualifiers followed by provincial qualifiers in November.

SRC development officer Martin Dururu said all was in place for the event and said that a sponsor had come on board.

“The games are back and we’ll be having them in Chinhoyi in December. We’re planning something big this time around as we’ll be having 50 teams. We’ve a new sponsor on board, Plan International, who’ve confirmed that they’ll partner us,” said Dururu.

“The hosts have already started their preparations by setting up committees that will make sure that everything goes smoothly,” he said.

The YES Games were introduced by the SRC in 1999 with the mandate of imparting life skills to youths through sports and the games have been held annually, except last year when they had to make way for the Region 5 Youth Games that were held in Bulawayo.

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
TOP-ORDER batsman Sean Williams has turned his back on the Matabeleland Tuskers Cricket Franchise and joined Harare-based Mashonaland Eagles for the 2015-16 domestic season. A bold and dynamic left-handed batsman, Williams last year played a significant role in Tuskers’ fourth Logan Cup win since the franchise cricket system was introduced in 2009.

Tuskers started preparations two weeks ago for the new season set to start on the first weekend of next month.

Tuskers’ coach Wayne James said: “Williams will not be playing for us this season. It appears he has made up his mind and looks set to join Eagles. We’ll miss him because he was a valuable member of our squad, but I believe his departure could be a blessing in disguise because this means one of the guys who was in the B side will make his way into the team. As a franchise, we appreciate Williams’ contribution and we wish him the best wherever he goes.”

Williams and other Tuskers’ senior players John Nyumbu, Christopher Mpofu, Brian Vitori, wicketkeeper Richmund Mutumbami and Luke Jongwe haven’t set foot at the Bulawayo-based franchise as they are training with the national team.

Tuskers’ chief executive officer Stanley Staddon said they have no intention of bringing in new players for the 2015-16 season.

“I think we’ve the best crop of players capable of withstanding the demands of franchise cricket. The coach hasn’t indicated the need to bring in new guys, which means we’ll be promoting from within our area. There are a number of players that have shown potential and we hope to see them developing through this franchise,” said Staddon.

Left-arm spinner Aisley Ndlovu, Tafara Mupariwa, Steve Chimhamhiwa and Cunningham Ncube are some of Tuskers’ fringe players expected to push for regular places in the team.

Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
The Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final draw will be held this afternoon in Gweru. In keeping with their pledge to spread the tournament around the country Delta Beverages and the Premier Soccer League will stage the draw at Mkoba Six’s Zaire Bar. Chibuku Super Cup is in its second year after returning to the local football radar last year.

After the first round clashes, eight teams made it through to the quarter-finals and they will be paired at today’s draw.

Defending champions FC Platinum, who beat Harare City in last year’s final, are still in the race for a second title while the Sunshine Boys who were the biggest first round winners will also be in the hat.

To get to the quarter-finals FC Platinum got the better of Dongo Sawmill 2-0 at Mandava while Harare City thrashed Buffaloes 4-1 at Rufaro.

How Mine who needed a 4-3 penalty shootout win over Highlanders are also in the reckoning as are Gweru air force side Chapungu who dismissed Flame Lilly 2-1.

ZPC Kariba also pulled through to the last eight after beating former Cup Kings CAPS United 4-1 on penalties after the two sides had finished 2-2 in regulation time.

Kelvin Kaindu’s Triangle also managed to negotiate the first round jitters via a penalty lottery when they beat Tsholotsho 3-0 in the shootout following a 2-2 draw in normal time.

Premiership log leaders Chicken Inn however did not need penalties as they saw off Hwange 2-0 and giants Dynamos will complete the quarter-finalist list after they reached the stage by winning their match against Whahwa through a Ralf Kawondera late strike.

The quarter-finalists

Chapungu, Chicken Inn, Dynamos, FC Platinum, Harare City, How Mine, Triangle United, ZPC Kariba.

Geophrey Sifani Sports Reporter
VETERAN Denis Streak leads the national team that leaves the country today for the Africa States Bowls tournament that starts in Lusaka, Zambia, tomorrow. The nine-day event will see about six countries participating in the bowling disciplines, trips, pairs and single. Matabeleland Bowls Association president Olly Baker said the team was prepared as they took part in some competitions that allowed them to hone their skills.

“We’re sure the teams will provide good competition and make the nation proud,” said Baker.

She said they were hoping the men’s side will give a good account after a poor performance at the International Quadrangular and seniors’ series bowls tournament that was held last month. The women’s team fared better by winning gold at the event.

Streak has vast experience having represented Zimbabwe at various international competitions over the years.

The men’s team will also consist of Clive Robertson, Terry Bowes, Mike Eaton and Tom Cravin, while Kerry Cravin, Jane Rigby, Derby Robertson, Ally Dale and Mary James form the women’s side.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Champion of Champions club tournament will kick off in Kadoma and Chegutu.

Baker said the women’s event will be held in Kadoma while men will play in Chegutu.

Sports Reporter
ZIFA high performance committee vice-chairman Gibson Homela has given his vote of confidence on Warriors coach Callisto Pasuwa and noted that the former Dynamos gaffer had done his best so far with the national teams despite working under adverse conditions. Homela, a veteran coach who has previously taken charge of the Warriors and his beloved Zimbabwe Saints yesterday gave his verdict of the senior team’s 1-1 draw against Guinea in an African Cup of Nations Group L qualifier at Rufaro last Sunday and felt the hosts had played well.

The Warriors had to fight from behind to snatch a point after seasoned goalkeeper Washington Arubi’s howler gave the visitors a second minute lead before Knowledge Musona’s equaliser ensured there would be a point for Pasuwa’s men. Zimbabwe have the same number of points — four — as the surprise leaders Swaziland after just two rounds of matches in the qualification marathon that will stretch into next year.

The Warriors’ bright start under Pasuwa has given this nation hope that skipper Willard Katsande and his troops could secure only Zimbabwe’s third appearance at the Nations Cup in 35 years of Independence. Homela believes they are on track but wants Pasuwa to identify more creative midfielders in his side and also urged the coach to continue fusing more Under-23 players who can be blended with the more experienced players.

The veteran coach said there was need for resources to be availed to the Warriors and the HPC in order for Zimbabwe to realise the dream of reaching the Gabon Nations Cup tournament.

Homela, who was at Rufaro in the company of fellow HPC member Benedict “Grinder’’ Moyo also outlined some of the shortcomings he said he had observed in the side that faced Guinea at Rufaro.

Homela said the Warriors lacked balance in attack and were devoid of creativity in the midfield following their 1-1 draw with Guinea in a Group L Africa Cup of Nations 2017 qualifier at Rufaro on Sunday.

He said the Warriors, who played with a double defensive midfield partnership of Chicken Inn’s Danny Phiri and skipper Willard Katsande, needed a playmaker to complement their movement forward as the strikers Nyasha Mushekwi and Cuthbert Malajila suffered from a lack of clean supply of balls.

“When a coach selects his squad, he has in his mind the type and quality of players that fit in his game plan. In this case, his selection was good but I thought we somehow lacked the balance going forward. “The defenders gave a good account of themselves except for some mistakes here and there. I also thought they had instruction from the coach not to venture forward too much. But I look at them as a formidable defensive line.

“Our two defensive linkmen were solid but again there was no movement. In the end our strikers didn’t get enough clean supply of balls,” said Homela. “Personally, I would have loved to see someone like Ronald Chitiyo in that midfield. We needed a player creative enough to get through that middle.

“The coach did well to look for substitutions to buttress that area but I thought it didn’t address the problem well. In fact, I felt some of the substitutions took away the sting from our attack. ”The three guys in the middle Deco, Katsande and Malajila tended to duplicate roles at times and I think that the anchorman’s role should have been confined to one person and the other two should have been link cum strikers so that we would still have more numbers offensively and defensively.

“Versatile midfielders should be able to cause problems for the opposition but it’s a pity that in our Premier League we don’t have the creative midfielders in the mould of Joel Shambo, Ronald Sibanda or Stix Mtizwa and I think it’s a challenge to the PSL teams to look for those creative midfielders around the country

“There’s need for creative midfielder who can constantly supply the clean ball and maybe we should find one.” Homela said Pasuwa has done the best he can under adverse conditions after leading the team to a promising start in the qualifiers.

Zimbabwe beat Malawi 2-1 away in the opening match and are currently second in Group L with four points, same as surprise leaders Swaziland who they face in back-to-back fixtures in March next year. “Our coaches have done well to date. They’ve been working under difficult conditions and personally I think Pasuwa has given his best.

“But each and every game is different. It’s important to understand your opponents as well. It’s a must to have first-hand knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of your opponent. “The coaches need support in that area. It’s a must in terms of modern football to spy on your opponents so that you plan well,” said Homela.

Homela said it was important that Pasuwa did not lose sight of the need to have more Under-23 players within his Warriors ranks. “I understand some of the best Under-23 players are in Congo for the African Games but I still feel there is plenty of them of them out there and I would have wanted a few more of them to have been in the squad that played Guinea so that they’re blended with the foreign-based players and I think that worked well for us against Malawi in Blantyre’’.

Homela also maintained that HPC was an organ that was set up to share experiences with the national coach and exchange views with him.

Serena Williams

Serena Williams overcame her sister Venus at the US Open to move within two victories of her first calendar Grand Slam. The world number one held her nerve to win 6-2 1-6 6-3 and reach the semi-finals in New York. Serena, 33, will play unseeded Italian Roberta Vinci in the last four today. The American could become the first player to win all four majors in the same year since Steffi Graf in 1988.

Venus, 35, was playing in the fourth round at Flushing Meadows for the first time since 2010, but threatened to derail her sister’s grand ambitions. The 23rd seed battled back to force a final set, only to see younger sister Serena capitalise on an early service break and claim her 33rd straight win at the Slams. The Williams sisters had played each other 26 times on the professional circuit, but their 27th contest was as highly anticipated as any.

Serena might already hold all four Slam titles, but her bid to win them all in the same year has elevated tennis in the US sporting headlines. A lengthy preceding match meant Tuesday’s night session was delayed, and expectancy rose outside Arthur Ashe Stadium as 23,000 spectators waited to take their seats for the night session.

The early excitement was tempered by Serena’s excellent start, but Venus gave a reminder of why she is a seven-time major champion by taking it to a final set. “She’s the toughest player I’ve ever played in my life and the best person,” said Serena. “It’s going against your best friend and the greatest competitor, for me, in women’s tennis, so it was really difficult for me today.”

Venus said: “Losing isn’t fun, but probably the most gratifying part is I’m still very excited to see Serena have an opportunity to win the four majors.” The six-time champion began and ended the match in clinical fashion, dropping to her knees and screaming “Come on!” as she earned a match point and moments later firing down an ace.

After the first 33 minutes, Serena had succeeded in bringing a hush over the huge stadium as she began to dismantle her sister’s game. Venus came out swinging but her younger sister made the breakthrough at 3-2, and would hit 15 winners and just two errors in a high-class opening set. Serena has looked understandably on edge throughout her time in New York, however, as she closes in on a landmark achievement.

A double fault saw her slip 3-1 down in the second, and she looked upset as the crowd gave their backing to her underdog sister. Venus broke again for 5-1 and came though a testing service game to force a final set that had seemed highly unlikely half an hour earlier. Serena had prevailed in 10 final-set deciders at the Slams already this year though, and survived a tense opening game to then break with three blistering backhand winners.

There was plenty more huge hitting as Venus strained to recover the break, but Serena would not offer up another break point and clinched victory with her 12th ace after one hour and 38 minutes.— BBC.

Wayne Rooney said it was a “dream come true” to break Sir Bobby Charlton’s England goalscoring record and set his sights on adding to his total. The 29-year-old Manchester United striker’s penalty in the 2-0 win over Switzerland in a Euro 2016 qualifier took his tally to 50 goals. “It’s a great feeling,” he said. “I’ve been close for the last few games and it’s a dream come true.

“I’ve got a lot of football in me for England. I hope the goals don’t stop.” The spot-kick was awarded late in the game when Raheem Sterling was fouled in the area by Granit Xhaka. Rooney, who scored his first England goal against Macedonia in 2003, told BBC Radio 5 live: “It’s a very special night for me and my family. A night I’ll never forget.

“I was very nervous stepping up to take the penalty. I knew it was such a big moment for me and my career. “The players said to me afterwards it was like being at a concert because there were so many flashes from phones in the crowd. “It’s a huge honour because Sir Bobby Charlton is an England and Manchester United legend. I know Sir Bobby will be extremely proud that a Manchester United captain has broken the record.”

The striker was handed a commemorative England shirt by boss Roy Hodgson in the dressing room after the match, and made a speech in front of his colleagues. “Nights like this you don’t forget,” he added. “When you create a bit of history it’s a great feeling. It was really nice of the players and the manager to present me with a shirt afterwards.”

England coach Roy Hodgson praised Rooney’s achievement, and said the former Everton forward could possibly reach a tally of 65 goals. “You would like to think we’re on about 10 games a year and maybe if we ever did very well in a tournament a bit more – that’s at least to 2018,” he said. “So you’re talking 20, maybe even 30 games, so it could be like 10 to 15 goals.

“I know he’s really delighted. He’ll tell you what a proud moment it is for him and his family. I also know, as a team man, he’ll be thinking ‘how can I help England become a better team?’, ‘can I make certain – like Bobby Charlton – I end up as a winner in a tournament or help England do very well?’

“You can’t do much better than be number one in the goalscoring list, but I still want to say a word for Bobby Charlton. He’s obviously a legend and one of the finest players I ever saw and I don’t think we’ll diminish or debase Bobby’s legendary status.

“With him and Wayne Rooney we’re talking about two of the finest football players in England and I’m lucky enough to have one still playing and that I can use him.”

Hodgson handed Rooney the captaincy in August 2014, and the coach said the striker had repaid his faith in him. “His maturity has impressed me, the way he has accepted the captaincy,” he continued. “I don’t think it has surprised me because I gave him the captaincy. I believed in him and trusted him and I’m really pleased with the way he has taken on the extra burden.

“The other thing that impresses me is his constant passion and enthusiasm in every training session, meetings and in games. “He’s not thinking ‘I’ve got 50 goals, I’m a legend’. He’s still out there working as hard as a young 19-year-old, who is playing his first game in the team. “The FA made a presentation of a shirt with a number 50 on and the players greeted him with great delight and when the shirt was given to him I provoked him into giving a speech.

“It was a very good speech, but fairly short. But the one thing I can tell you, and what struck me, was how proud he was to achieve that and how determined he is not to stop at 50 goals.”— BBC.

Floyd Mayweather

Floyd Mayweather remains adamant that his fight against Andre Berto in Las Vegas on Saturday will be his last. American great Mayweather is unbeaten in 48 professional bouts and victory over Berto would see him equal Rocky Marciano’s career record of 49-0. Many believe the 38-year-old will not be able to resist attempting to break Marciano’s mark, but Mayweather says his health is more important.

“If you stick around too long, anything can happen,” said Mayweather. “I’m not really worried about losing, but I want to have a sharp mind. You can make a lot of money, but you still want to be able to walk and talk. Number 49 is my last fight.” Mayweather’s unbeaten streak goes back to 1996, when he joined the paid ranks after winning a bronze medal at the Atlanta Olympics.

And the five-weight world champion, who will defend his WBC and WBA welterweight titles against compatriot Berto at the MGM Grand, says he does not need to fight on to prove his greatness. “People said throughout the years I was a coward, I was scared, I couldn’t beat Manny Pacquiao,” said Mayweather, who beat Pacquiao in the richest fight in history in May.

“They gave him so many accolades, called him an all-time great. But all these people had to eat their words. “If he’s an all-time great, then what does that make me? If they’re saying he’s the fighter of the century, what does that make me? “I’m going to be ‘The Best Ever’ until the day I die.”

Two-time world champion Berto, 32, goes into the fight as a big underdog but Mayweather, perhaps wishing to bolster disappointing ticket sales, claims he has a genuine contest on his hands.

“He feels like he has nothing to lose, and when you’ve got a guy that’s put in that situation, it makes him work that much harder because he’s got a chance to be one of the top guys in the sport when I’m through,” said Mayweather. Meanwhile, British boxer George Groves says taking on the WBC super-middleweight champion Badou Jack could be his last chance to gain a world title.

Groves, 27, was twice beaten by fellow British super-middleweight Carl Froch and brushed off criticism from the now retired former champion before the fight against the 31-year old Gambian-Swedish boxer, which is on the Mayweather undercard. After Nottingham’s Froch said Groves was “more or less finished” following their last contest in 2014, Londoner Groves told the BBC: “I don’t think he was the fighter he once was after that fight because he retired!

“I don’t care what he says, he’s not a fighter any more, there is no rivalry. He’s a pundit now and his opinions need to be interesting. “It’s a must-win fight. I’ve had two attempts at a world title and fell short so I will leave nothing to chance. This time round maybe I won’t get any more chances so I’ve got to make it count.”— BBC.

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
HARARE City FC are wary of Highlanders whom they play this Saturday at Rufaro Stadium in Harare following the appointment of a new Bosso technical team. The Sunshine City Boys will employ a cautious approach in their eighth league meeting with Bosso since being promoted into the topflight in 2012. Harare City are yet to lose to Highlanders at Rufaro Stadium and have declared their intention of keeping that record intact. In their first encounter in the capital in 2012, the Sunshine Boys played to a goalless draw and followed it up with a 4-0 clobbering of the Bulawayo giants in 2013. Last year Harare City beat Bosso 1-0.

Harare City assistant coach Mkhuphali Masuku yesterday said they were wary of Bosso following the appointment of a new technical team led by Amini Soma-Phiri. Soma-Phiri replaced Bongani Mafu last week after the club’s leadership and supporters became agitated by the lack of positive results.

The former Bosso striker will be hoping to get a victory in his debut as a PSL coach. “Saturday’s game won’t be easy because of the technical changes they’ve made. Obviously the new guys want a win and their strategies may be different from what we were used to. We’re aware that they are dangerous because of the developments that happened at Highlanders last week but we are ready for them. We want to keep our unbeaten home run against Highlanders intact by collecting three points,” Masuku said.

The ambitious Harare club go into the match smarting from a 0-1 away defeat to Hwange and are fifth on the table tied on 31 points with Bulawayo side How Mine. Highlanders also go into the game having succumbed to a last minute 2-3 loss to Chicken Inn, a result which marked the end of Mafu’s stay at the helm of Bosso.

Harare City, whose target is a top six finish, will be without the national Under-23 duo of Tatenda Munditi and Munyaradzi Nyenye-Diro who are representing the country at the African Games in Congo Brazzaville. They are also fretting over the availability of skipper David Kutyauripo, who started training at the beginning of the week after an injury layoff.

Kutyauripo missed the two sides’ game that ended in a 1-1 stalemate at Barbourfields Stadium in May. Harare City took a first half lead through a headed goal by William Manondo, but Bosso salvaged a point courtesy of an eight minute injury time, which allowed Gabriel Nyoni to equalise from the penalty spot.

Some of the players expected to lead Harare City’s hunt for maximum points include Arnold Chiveya, Crispen Dickson, Themba Ndlovu, Samanja and James Jam. They also have Benson Maglasi, heavily built striker Francisco Zikumbawire, Manondo and Martin Vengesayi to bank on.

Highlanders will be without the trio of Knox Mutizwa, Teenage Hadebe and Nqobizitha Masuku, who are with the Young Warriors, and will pin their hopes on Obidiah Tarumbwa, King Nadolo and Nyoni to lead their attack. Simon Munawa, Rahman Kutsanzira, Godfrey Makaruse, Edmore Muzanenhamo and Tendai Ngulube will all be vying for the three midfield slots while Erick Mudzingwa, Peter Muduhwa, Bruce Kangwa and Felix Chindungwe will form the back line.

Cuthbert Dube

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter—
A ZIFA official has made sensational claims that the beleaguered association cooked up its income and expenditure statement from the Afcon 2017 qualifier between Zimbabwe and Guinea at Rufaro Stadium to cover up for the $4,000 some board members allegedly paid themselves soon after the match. Zifa insist that no board member was paid from Sunday’s gate takings.

The Zifa income and expenditure statement, which a former finance committee member has described as a sham, reflects a total loss of $12,481 from a gross of $88,542. However, a Zifa worker who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, declared that the figures were “cooked”.

“We expected to see the $4,000 figure paid to four board members reflecting on the expenditure statement, but it’s not there. All the list has are hugely inflated figures, which are obviously meant to cover up for the $4,000,” said the employee. The four board members (names supplied) are alleged to have paid themselves from the gate takings.

The expenditure statement contains huge figures compared to the association’s income and expenditure statement for the Olympic qualifier between Zimbabwe and South Africa at the same venue last month. From Sunday’s statement, Zifa claim $3,000 was used to hire a bus for the team, which Chronicle Sport, however, understands was availed free of charge by Herentals College. The Zifa worker also confirmed that the bus was donated for national use.

Even Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela’s Press statement thanking the generality of Zimbabweans for rallying behind the Warriors and various organisations for donating generously to the national cause seemed to acknowledge that the bus was not hired.

“The Premier Soccer League, Joma, Tanganda Private Limited, Herentals College, Daisy Lodge, Prophet Magaya and his partners all contributed generously towards the successful staging of Sunday’s match,” read Gwesela’s statement issued on Monday.

The $3,000 bus hire is extremely exorbitant compared to the $900 Zifa used to hire a bus for the Young Warriors last month.

According to Zifa’s expenditure statement released after the Young Warriors’ game against South Africa, the association hired a bus from Joel Tours for $900.

An official from Joel Tours said they hire out a bus for $150 per day without fuel and $175 on a full tank.

Gwesela was at pains to justify the $3,000 bus hire figure on the statement, claiming it was meant to offset arrears they incurred with an unnamed transporter for previous national team matches. “The $3,000 was for a transporter the association owed for previous matches,” he said declining to elaborate. That figure has, however, never appeared in the Zifa books.

Reminded that the Warriors have played two home matches against Comoros and Guinea; the Young Warriors have hosted Cameroon, Swaziland and South Africa while the Mighty Warriors have only played one match against Zambia in Harare, Gwesela could still not pinpoint which matches Zifa owed this unnamed transporter. The expenditure list also indicates that $2,350 was paid to cashiers, who Zifa claimed were 25 with each receiving $94.

However, a cashier said they were 20 in total and were each paid $100. “Cashiers’ fees are standard and it doesn’t matter whether it’s an international match for juniors or seniors.” The expenditure list shows a car hire of $300 for match officials, $300 for the match commissioner and then $600 for referees. Again, Gwesela claimed the expenditure list included money that Zifa owed some match officials for a previous game he could not name.

Another former finance committee member queried the $1,400 figure listed under competitions, saying it was an astronomical figure. “Under competitions, you are talking of people who will be ushering VIPs, those seconded to heads of departments, and the number can certainly not be more than 10. “If they were 10, it means those ushers would have received $140 each, which is $40 more than cashiers who are paid more,” he said.

Questions have also been raised about the $750 paid to the finance committee since Zifa presently operates without such a committee after the one led by Bernard Gwarada was dissolved. Gwarada was also suspended for allegedly belonging to a clique opposed to the Cuthbert Dube’s leadership. Board member Fungai Chihuri is the acting board member for finance.

Wayne Rooney has set his sights on stealing the spotlight from Manchester United new-boy Anthony Martial when England’s freshly-crowned record goalscorer returns to Premier League action in Saturday’s clash with bitter rivals Liverpool. Rooney passed Bobby Charlton as England’s most prolific marksman when he netted his 50th international goal with a powerful penalty in Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Switzerland at Wembley.

It was a much-needed jolt of confidence for Rooney, whose only goals in United colours this term have come in a Champions League rout of Club Brugge.

The 29-year-old hopes his memorable milestone provides the springboard for a dynamic display against Liverpool at Old Trafford, and ideally an end to his 10-match goalless run in the Premier League that stretches back to April.

“To achieve what I have, I would be lying if I said it didn’t put a spring in my step and make you want to carry on (scoring),” Rooney said.

“I’m very happy and grateful. Now I’ve to get back into training and start focusing on Liverpool.

“Hopefully getting two goals in the last two games will mean I continue scoring.”

United manager Louis van Gaal could do with a sustained run of influential performances from Rooney as he looks to ease the weight of expectations on new signing Martial.

The 19-year-old was lured from Monaco on transfer deadline day for a £36 million fee that could rise to £58 million.

The vast sum is a major gamble on the raw French forward’s untapped potential and even Van Gaal, who needed an additional threat to pep up a spluttering attack that has scored only three goals in four league games, has described the fee for Martial as “ridiculous”.

Both United, 2-1 losers at Swansea, and Liverpool, shocked 3-0 at home by West Ham, were beaten for the first time this season in their last matches before the international break, raising doubts about their ability to fight for the title.

Liverpool’s Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva, likely to start against United with Jordan Henderson and Joe Allen struggling with injuries, admits the outcome of Saturday’s match will have a significant impact on how both clubs fare this season.

“The two teams arrive in a similar situation with a lot of new players, a lot of new signings,” Lucas said.

“It’s probably one of the biggest games of the season. I think if you get a good result there it can give you a lot of belief and confidence going forward.

“It’s a good opportunity for us to put the result against West Ham behind us and start again.”

Leaders Manchester City will face a stern examination of the top tier’s last remaining 100 percent record when they travel to in-form Crystal Palace.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side have won all four of their matches in swaggering style, raising hopes they can wrestle the title away from Chelsea.

But the Eagles won’t be push-overs after climbing to second place on the back of three victories, including a stunning 2-1 win at Chelsea in their last match.

And Palace boss Alan Pardew has warned City that his team have nothing to lose when they face the league superpowers.

“It’s an unusual position for us and something we probably can’t sustain for a long period, but in the short term we can enjoy it. We deserve to be there after four games,” Pardew said.

Champions Chelsea are marooned in mid-table after a miserable start and can ill-afford a third defeat of the season when they take on Everton.

The main focus of attention at Goodison Park will be Everton defender John Stones, who failed in his attempt to force through a move to Chelsea after his club rejected his transfer request and snubbed the Blues’ offer of around £30 million for the England international.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez expects Stones to cope with the scrutiny.

“John has gone from strength to strength in a period of high pressure and has used it in the right way, taking the support of everyone at the club and has performed with incredible maturity and composure,” he said. — AFP

THERE was a time Hartsfield Ground was the ceremonial home of rugby in Zimbabwe and it was the dream of every schoolboy that played the game to have a run on the lush green turf of the then well maintained and revered venue. In fact, it was not just the rugby playing boys that dreamt of playing at Hartsfield, but Bulawayo schoolboys and girls back then looked forward to a Saturday afternoon outing at the ground.

Smartly dressed in their school uniforms, the pupils provided an electrifying atmosphere at the ground nestled between Amazulu Ground and Parkview suburb that made rugby the most supported schools’ sport in the city. It was a privilege for a schools’ fixture to be staged at Hartsfield, especially when it was a curtain raiser to an international game involving any of the Zimbabwe national teams.

Different schools’ war cries reverberated across the ground as the schoolboys sought to out-chant each other to spur their schools to victory. Yes, schools chanted war cries wildly and proudly to inspire their teams on the field, and having been among those that used to chant the Milton High School war cry, I know what I am talking about. The war cry instilled a great sense of pride in both the players and pupils and it’s an embarrassment that an individual at my former school has now ashamedly banned it in his vain attempt to erase the school’s rich century old history.

Anyway, that’s a topic for another day. The issue was that the schoolboys gave the national teams the vocal support that was usually complemented on the field of play with positive results.

Even the grounds outside the main pitch were strictly used for rugby, unlike today where they have been turned into a music concert venue and a weekend shisanyama (braai) spot.

Gone are those days when schoolboys competed in chanting themselves hoarse in support of rugby. Rugby is dead in Bulawayo, and that’s a fact. There’s no league in the home of the former dominant national champions Old Miltonians, who have been reduced to “have beens”.

The once popular schools’ war cries have long gone silent and all those lively Saturday schoolboys’ outings are now just distant memories.

All national team matches are staged in Harare and Hartsfield Ground now just sits there. The weekend war cries have been replaced by loud music and braai smoke. Hartsfield is not the only sports venue being underused. The Queens Sports Club cricket ground almost lies derelict except for the few Logan Cup matches it hosts.

But was the ground refurbished only for Logan Cup games? The ground hosted some Cricket World Cup matches in 2003, but Zimbabwe Cricket shockingly condemned the venue a few months ago as not meeting international standards while explaining the absence of international cricket in Bulawayo.

How a venue that hosted some international matches in 2014 suddenly fails to meet acceptable standards remains a mystery. Renovations have now been done at Queens Sports Club and the good news is that international cricket will return to Bulawayo once again despite the city not being given the big guns. I hope the matches won’t just end with the forthcoming Afghanistan and Bangladesh series.

Bulawayo cricket lovers also want to watch cricket’s premier sides India, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and others in the City of Kings.

The same goes for Zifa. When will the senior national soccer team play at Barbourfields Stadium? Yes, Zifa are broke, but their coffers are empty largely due to mismanagement and corruption as compared to the economy.

If Premier Soccer League teams are surviving on a shoestring budget and fulfilling all their fixtures in all parts of the country, then surely some Warriors’ games, which are few and far between, can also be staged in Bulawayo.

Bulawayo-based sports fans are not children of a lesser God and it must be understood that geographical distribution of games would not only bring unique atmospheres to our national team fixtures, but also allow real fans up and down the country to watch their national sides.

Yes, Harare is our capital, but its location represents a challenge for fans from other parts of the country. It’s unfair to expect a fan from Victoria Falls to always make the long journey to the capital for international matches, be they cricket, rugby or soccer.

What these respective national associations need to understand is that fans who never get to watch their national team playing at a stadium feel more disconnected than they do with their domestic clubs.

Most national cricket, rugby and soccer team fans feel slighted, or perhaps even a bit snubbed. This is not meant to offend Harare and fans there, but that’s the feeling of fans or those attempting to be national team fans that live in Bulawayo where there are standard facilities to host games of such magnitude.

The decision to play the majority of these international matches in Harare has alienated a lot of fans from the country’s second largest city.

Sharing international matches will help build support for the Zimbabwe national teams and return that feel good factor to the fans.

There is little point in having a good product at the price of isolating your consumers. Soccer fans in Bulawayo have also invested emotionally in our national teams and they are tired of always having to watch the games on TV or listening to radio commentary.

They also want that sense of belonging and national associations better heed these calls instead of continuing to build tombstones at Bulawayo grounds.

Ricky Zililo
ZIMBABWE Cricket grounds curator Fungai Shanganya has declared Queens Sports Club ready for a busy schedule that will see the venue playing host to two international matches before the end of the year. Queens Sports Club, home to Matabeleland Tuskers Cricket Franchise will handle domestic matches as well. The franchise cricket season starts on October 6, a week before Zimbabwe takes on Afghanistan in five one day games and two Twenty20 matches at Bulawayo’s ceremonial home of cricket, Queens Sports Club.

Afghanistan who were in the country last year in July are scheduled to arrive in Bulawayo on October 13 for a three week visit to participate in limited-overs just like they did in the previous tour. Dates for the Zimbabwe and Afghanistan one day matches are October 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24.

Afghanistan will then have a two-day rest before playing the first Twenty20 game on October 27 and wrap up their visit to Bulawayo two days later with last Twenty20 encounter.

Soon after Afghanistan’s departure, Bangladesh are scheduled to arrive in Bulawayo for a three-week tour on October 31 which will see them competing in three One Day Internationals and two four-dayers.

Bangladesh will play the first of the three ODIs on November 3. Two days later they will play the second ODI with the last set for November 7. After playing the ODIs, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh will battle it out in two four-dayers which will be played on November 10-13 and November 17-20.

Shanganya said he is waiting for the national team to give him specifications on what kind of wicket they want. “Queens Sports Club has always been ready for international games and as it is we just finished laying fertilizers at the nets. We’re done with the wickets and now we’re waiting for the national team to let us know whether they want a fast or slow wicket. We’re also waiting for them to tell us whether they want a heavy field or not so that we know when to cut the grass,” said Shanganya.

Cabinets have been mounted in the dressing rooms as part of refurbishments done to meet international standards.

The ZC grounds curator said they are also rounding up work at the Bulawayo Athletic Club (BAC) which will be used for warm-up games.

Midlands Correspondent
A BLOOD and thunder encounter is in the offing at Dulibadzimu Stadium tomorrow as runaway log leaders, Border Strikers entertain third placed Tongogara who are still in the running for the region’s sole promotional ticket in a Zifa Central Soccer League fixture. Tongogara who have amassed 37 points could reduce the gap between them and the log leaders to six points if the Zifa disciplinary committee awards them the game against Shabanie Mine which was abandoned at Maglas Stadium due to crowd trouble.

The Battlefields based side who beat Border Strikers 1-0 in the reverse fixture would fancy their chances of reducing the gap between them and the “Vavheneki” to three points and keep their hopes of returning to the topflight league after more than a decade in the football wilderness alive  Ignatius Kapitapita, Tongogara coach said they were confident of becoming the first team to come out of the border town with maximum points.

“We’re ready for the big match and we know what awaits us there. The race for the championship is still on,we can’t afford to falter,” he said. Border Strikers coach Never Malunga is also wary of the army side and expressed caution ahead of the clash. “Tongogara is a good side and their position on the log is clear testimony.

“We’re ready for them but we need to be cautious since the stakes are high in this game,” he said. A win for Border Strikers will extend their lead on the log standings in the process extinguish any hopes that Tongogara might have about returning to the premiership.

Fixtures
Today: ZRP Beitbridge vs Shabanie Mine (Dulibadzimu), ZPC Munyati vs MSU (Munyati), Ivan Hoe vs Vumbachikwe (Amaveni)

Tomorrow: Mvuma Stars vs Chrome Stars (Mvuma Stars), Sable Chemicals vs FC Platinum U19 (Mbizo), Silo United vs Blanket Mine (Amaveni), Border Strikers vs Tongogara (Dulibadzimu), Gweru United vs ZETDC Southern Region (Ascot)

Ricky Zililo
A potentially explosive Southern Region Soccer League match is on the cards in Hwange this afternoon when Technosphere takes on fired-up Indlovu Iyanyathela. Both teams are having good runs, with Technosphere having gone for seven matches without losing while Indlovu Iyanyathela have a six-match unbeaten run.

Indlovu Iyanyathela will be hoping to complete a hattrick of wins inside eight days, after beating Makomo 2-1 last Saturday and Trumus 1-0 in a midweek encounter. Former Highlanders assistant coach Bekithemba “Super” Ndlovu, now head coach at Indlovu Iyanyathela said they are ready to trample on Technosphere.

“I think it’ll be a difficult game because they’ve been playing well. However, we’re ready for them and will give our best to make sure that we stretch our unbeaten run. We’re enjoying some good rhythm and the players seem to have gelled. “ They’ve put in a lot of effort to adapt to the demands of the system that we’re using,” said Ndlovu.

Indlovu Iyanyathela will bank on Nokel Security Top Goalscorer for August Alfred Mehlomakhulu and his striking partner Lynton Mathe, midfielders Anesu Nyathi and Mongameli Ncube. They also have Sydney Chigami who is a vital cog of their defence.

Indlovu Iyanyathela should be on the lookout for Vumani Sibanda, Bekithemba Nyoni and Nhlanhla Ndlovu. The Hwange side is targeting a top three finish and is wary of their opponents. Technosphere goes into the game oozing with confidence following last weekend’s 1-0 away win against championship favourites Bulawayo City.

“We need to win this game so that we stay on track for our top three target. Indlovu Iyanyathela are a dangerous side and we’re aware of their potential danger. We’re not taking them lightly,” said Try Ncube, Technosphere’s coach.

Agent “Ajila” Sawu’s Ntabazinduna will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways when they play host to Hwange Juniors this afternoon while Amagagasi are at home against Makomo in Victoria Falls. Tomorrow, City takes on Nust at Luveve Stadium while Bulawayo Chiefs have a tricky game against Black Boots at Hartsfield Stadium. The Hwange derby between Mpumalanga and ZPC Hwange completes weekend’s matches.

Fixtures
Today: Technosphere v Indlovu Iyanyathela (Hwange), Amagagasi v Makomo (Victoria Falls), Ntabazinduna v Hwange Juniors (Ntabazinduna), Bantu Rovers v Trumus (Fairbridge, 12PM), Old Nic Mine v Casmyn (cancelled)

Tomorrow: Bulawayo City v Nust (Luveve), Bulawayo Chiefs v Black Boots (Hartsfield), Mpumalanga v ZPC Hwange (Hwange)

Barry Daka

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
VETERAN former Highlanders coach Barry Daka has bounced back into the mainstream Zimbabwean football landscape after being appointed Mighty Warriors’ technical advisor following the sacking of the Rosemary Mugadza led technical bench yesterday. Daka, who has been coaching in Botswana for more than a decade, bounces back into national team structures 15 years after deputising his predecessor now, Misheck Chidzambwa when they convincingly won the 2000 Cosafa Cup, beating Lesotho 3-0 home and away for a 6-0 aggregate win.

“It feels great to be back,” said Daka when contacted yesterday following his appointment. Meanwhile, Zifa yesterday announced the dissolution of the Mugadza led technical team that included Hwange assistant coach Mebelo Njekwa, goalkeepers’ coach Ndega Matsika and kit manager Fungai Nyamutukwa.

Team manager Charity Mudzviti Munemo retained her team managerial role in the new look technical team. “Members of the Mighty Warriors technical team have been relieved of their duties with immediate effect. The decision is part of the Association’s administration structural review programme.

Head coach Rosemary Mugadza, assistant coach Mebelo Njekwa, goalkeepers coach Ndega Matsika and kit manager Fungai Nyamutukwa are no longer part of the senior women technical set up. The Association is grateful for the services they rendered to the nation,” said Zifa in a statement yesterday.

Bulawayo’s Inline coach Shadreck Mlauzi is now the Mighty Warriors head coach, assisted by Sithethelelwe ‘Kwinji 15’ Sibanda and Johanne Chikaola. Peter Masibero comes in as the goalkeeper’s coach while former Mighty Warriors goalkeeper, Onai Chingawo is now the new kit manager taking over from another national team star Nyamutukwa.

The new technical team is expected to produce team list by Monday for the game against Olympic qualifier Cameroon.

Joey Antipas

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
A bullish Chicken Inn FC coach Joey Antipas is confident that his side will collect maximum points against tricky ZPC Kariba who they play host to at Luveve Stadium this afternoon. A victory for the Gamecocks will keep their title hopes alive as defending champions Dynamos are heavily breathing down their neck, looking to close the four-point gap.

Chicken Inn are top of the table with 43 points and are aware that any slip up could cost them their dream of lifting the silverware. DeMbare take on championship dark horses FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium this afternoon, hoping to get the better of the Zvishavane side which seems to be unstoppable. FC Platinum are third on the table with 38 points. Antipas claims that he is not bothered about how Dynamos or FC Platinum play and demands maximum efforts from his players.

“What we need to do is control the controllable by winning our games. We mustn’t lose focus by worrying about other teams because competition is getting tight with every fixture being more like a cup final. What I want is for my boys to give me 100 percent on the field. We want three points. I know ZPC Kariba are in a precarious position which makes them dangerous but I insist, nothing other than maximum points is what we’re fighting for,” Antipas said.

Chicken Inn will have to do without suspended skipper Danny “Deco” Phiri, Young Warriors duo of Lawrence Mhlanga and Raphael Kutinyu who are on national duty at the African Games in Congo.

Brian Juru could play as a defensive midfielder, filling Phiri’s gap while Guide Goddard is likely to be handed a starting place partnering Moses Jackson at central defence in the absence of Mhlanga. Veteran midfielder Clemence Matawu is likely to be thrust in Kutinyu’s creative role.

Chicken Inn will bank on their reliable attacking duo of Edmore Chirambadare and Mitchell Katsvairo to get them goals with Elvis Chipezeze guarding the goal for the Bulawayo side. ZPC Kariba will not be pushovers and starring relegation, they will certainly give Chicken Inn a good run for their money.

Coached by ex-national team gaffer Sunday Chidzambwa, the electricity generators will pin their hopes on veteran forward Limited Chikafa to lead their attack while reigning Soccer Star of the Year Dennis Dauda will partner Thomas Sweswe at central defence. Philip Makanje, Russell Madamombe, Raphael Manuvire and Tawanda Nyamandwe are some of ZPC Kariba’s players to watch.

Meanwhile, Hwange will be hoping to get maximum points against relegation threatened Flame Lily at Lafarge this afternoon without head coach Nation Dube who is in Congo Brazzaville with the Young Warriors. Tomorrow, Tsholotsho FC will be hoping to pile more pressure on How Mine at White City Stadium as they continue with their survival fight. The Zhwane Boys desperately need maximum points so that they move out of the drop zone while How Mine need a victory to ease pressure on coach Luke Masomere.

Fixtures
Today: Harare City v Highlanders (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v ZPC Kariba (Luveve), FC Platinum v Dynamos (Mandava), Flame Lily v Hwange (Lafarge)

Tomorrow: Whawha v Triangle United (Ascot), Dongo Sawmill v Chapungu (Vengere), Caps United v Buffaloes (National Sports Stadium), Tsholotsho FC v How Mine (White City)

Kirsty Coventry

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
SWIMMER Kirsty Coventry completed a hattrick of gold medals when she won the 200m backstroke final at the African Games in Brazzaville, Congo, yesterday. The swimming sensation has now claimed all the three gold medals for Zimbabwe at the Games. “I did it-Triple Threepeat! 3x African Champion x3 events: 100m Backstroke, 200m Individual Medley & now 200m Backstroke. #Gold#History,” she tweeted after the race.

She had scooped her second gold medal on Thursday night. Coventry claimed gold in the 200m individual medley in a time of 2:16.05, adding to Tuesday’s gold medal in the 100m backstroke. The 32-year-old, who qualified to represent the country in the 100m backstroke in next year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has proved that age is nothing but just a number with her outstanding performance at the prestigious continental Games.

Coventry’s win on Thursday saw her claiming the 200m individual medley for the third consecutive time in the African Games having won it in 2007 and 2011 just like what she did in the 100m backstroke in which she made it three consecutive wins on Tuesday.

Zimbabwe also got another medal in swimming when the 4x100m medley mixed relay team claimed bronze after finishing third on Thursday in 4:00.78 behind winners Egypt and South Africa. Egypt’s team swam their way to gold when they came first in 3:56.04 and South Africa came second in 3:56.27.

Coventry, who is Team Zimbabwe’s captain, is leading by example and her victories are an inspiration to the team that has struggled in some of the sporting disciplines Zimbabwe is competing in. Of 22 sporting disciplines at the Games, Zimbabwe is fielding athletes in athletics, beach volleyball, cycling, football, gymnastics, judo, karate, taekwondo, tennis, swimming and sport for people living with disabilities.

However, it is Coventry, who has so far excelled in Brazzaville, claiming three gold medals. Fitness trainer Gerald Maguranyanga was among the first people to congratulate Coventry. “Well done Miss Kirsty! As usual, I am one of millions, zillions of loving, happy Zimbabweans, spread worldwide, that proudly rally behind you, Africa’s foremost swimming icon — ever,” Maguranyanga wrote on her Facebook page.

“I am privileged to know and understand the countless, lonely, painful sometimes, hours that you devote to purify your body with fire – turning it into a hot, unbeatable water torpedo. ”You are a bonafide Golden Girl! See you at Rio 2016! Love and Respect.” Motor racing ace Axcil Jefferies added: “Congratulations Golden Girl. Keep breaking records. A true inspiration.”

SPORT, Arts and Culture Minister Andrew Langa

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
ZIFA board member Fungai Chihuri signed for a total of $4,000 as board members’ expenses and Travel and Subsistence (T and S) claims soon after the Afcon 2017 qualifier at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday, it emerged last night. Chronicle Sport has it on very good authority that Chihuri, who also as the acting board member in charge of the finance committee, shared $750 (from the match revenue) with two other handpicked members of that committee.

He also signed for $2,800 as expenses for board members and $1,200 as travel and subsistence (Perdiems). “The board took that money at Rufaro Stadium; they must just own up and admit. The match reconciliation book clearly shows $2,800 was taken as board expenses and $1,200 written as T and S. Both these amounts were signed for by Chihuri,” said the source.

Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela yesterday said the association was no longer commenting on the Rufaro financials. “We’re commenting no further on that subject,” said Gwesela. The association has been consistent in denying any abuse of funds. Last night, Chihuri’s mobile phone was continuously busy while he did not respond to a text message sent to him.

Meanwhile, the government has said it will soon summon Zifa over the Rufaro Stadium financials that have been dismissed as fake by employees and former finance committee members. There have been further revelations that members of the association’s three-men finance committee each pocketed $250 from the match proceeds against a background of mounting debts.

The new finance committee is led by board member Chihuri with the other members being retired referee Gladmore Muzambi and Stanslous Nyachowe. The Zifa constitution says members of the committee must be five. The new committee came into office after the controversial sacking of the Ben Gwarada led committee.

Zifa declared the highly attended match a loss making game, declaring a $12,481 loss from a net of $88,542. “Explanations are definitely needed. Zifa must certainly account for the money to the last cent,” said the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Andrew Langa, yesterday. He said it was disturbing that after football fans used their hard earned cash to go and rally behind the national team, the money which was raised cannot be properly accounted for.

“We need to brief the nation accordingly, if people come in huge numbers like what happened on Sunday then certainly there’s a need to fully account for the monies, not what’s coming out now. My office will definitely summon them (Zifa) through our channels so that they can fully explain how these gate takings were used. There must never be an element of doubt,” said Minister Langa.

Meanwhile, Zifa has issued a statement dismissing what it said were ‘baseless claims that funds were abused’. “The Zimbabwe Football Association would like to inform the football fraternity and the nation that it did not abuse any funds generated from the Zimbabwe vs Guinea Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match. ZIFA would like to explicitly and categorically state that the income and expenditure report basically explains all expenses paid directly from income generated from the match,” reads the Zifa statement.

The Zifa finance committee, said Zifa, has powers to decide on creditors to be paid from match proceeds and such monies are accounted for on the income and expenses report of that particular match. “The ZIFA finance committee exercised due diligence in preparing the income and expenditure report,” said Zifa in the statement.

The statement also confirmed that transport was donated by Herentals College and the $3,000 bus hire fee on the income and expenditure report is money that was paid to another creditor who had provided transport services in the past and not Herentals College. However, the association is still to name the said transporter.

Amin Soma-Phiri

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter—
NEWLY appointed Highlanders head coach Amin Soma-Phiri has boldly declared he will collect 27 points from the remaining nine matches, starting with the away match to bogey side Harare City at Rufaro Stadium this afternoon. Speaking with the confidence of a veteran during a Press conference at the club offices on Thursday, Soma-Phiri, who is not a novice in coaching, said he leads Amahlolanyama into battle confident of a win, even though he was not underrating their opponents.

He said even during his playing days, he was never a loser and would want to impart that spirit to the boys. “I’m not looking for a loss (in the nine matches). I’m going to Harare to win and it’ll happen because there’s everything that a coach needs in terms of playing personnel,” said Soma-Phiri who was accompanied by technical director Cosmas “Tsano” Zulu.

He was nevertheless aware of the danger posed by Harare City but still said Bosso would come right, regardless of history being against the crest fallen giants. “We’re expecting a very tough game, they’ve good players and technical team but I’m not coming back home with a loss,” declared Soma-Phiri, deadly with headers during his playing days.

The two sides have met nine times since Harare City gained promotion into the elite league, both jealously guarding their home territory. In 2012 the two legs ended in draws,0-0 in Harare and 1-1 at Barbourfields. The following year, Highlanders won 2-0 at home before they were hammered 4-0 in the reverse fixture.

Last season, Highlanders posted a 1-0 win at home before losing by a similar margin in Harare. Highlanders go into the match sitting in an unfamiliar 10th position on the table with 25 points while their opponents are fifth and six points ahead. Soma-Phiri said he was glad he was taking over a well assembled side that was unfortunately not producing the desired results.

“I wonder why we were losing with the kind of players we have, I really don’t know where we were missing it. The guys assembled a very good side and we’re struggling with our selection because everyone wants to be in the team,” said Soma-Phiri. Meanwhile, technical director Zulu has attributed the team’s unfamiliar position on the table to the poor performance by the goalkeepers.

Tsano, who believes in the philosophy that strikers win games while goalkeepers win championships, is now in charge of the goalkeepers following the departure of another legend Peter ‘Captain Oxo’ Nkomo. “The goalkeeping department is one reason that has made this team to be where it is on the table. I’ve noted that the guys have no confidence of standing in between the posts but the response I’m getting from them at training is very encouraging,” said Zulu.

Highlanders have not had a regular goalkeeper this season with Ariel Sibanda and Njabulo Nyoni taking turns to guard the posts although Nyoni seemed to have charmed former coach Mafu. Fixtures: Today: Harare City v Highlanders (Rufaro Stadium), Chicken Inn v ZPC Kariba (Luveve Stadium), FC Platinum v Dynamos (Mandava Stadium), Flame Lily v Hwange (Lafarge Stadium)

Tomorrow: Whawha v Triangle United (Ascot Stadium), Dongo Sawmill v Chapungu (Vengere Stadium), Caps United v Buffaloes (National Sports Stadium), Tsholotsho v How Mine (White City Stadium)