Geophrey Sifani Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO-based Leopard Sports Academy president Melusi Nyoni is appealing to the public and well-wishers to assist them field a team in the annual Danhiko Paralympic Games in Harare that run from September 30 to October 4. The academy was formed in April to promote sporting activities for people living with disabilities in the city.

It has registered a four-member goalball team comprising Nyoni, Arnold Sibanda, Dominic Siyamukupa and Spencer Mukwena for the games as they could not raise registration fees for other disciplines on offer. Goalball is a sport exclusively for athletes with visual impairments and consists of two halves of 12 minutes each.

The objective of the game is to roll the ball into the opposite goal while opposing players try to block the ball with their bodies.

Bells inside the balls help orient the players, indicating the direction of the on-coming ball, so complete silence is required in the venue while play is in progress to allow players to instantly react to the ball.

“We’re struggling as a team to secure funds. We’re in need of funding to help us participate in these games. We’re ready for the games, but at this point we’re at crossroads as we have no funds to travel to Harare as our academy is still young,” said Nyoni.

He said they were looking at a budget of about $900 to cater for their travelling, accommodation, tracksuits and food for the duration of their stay.

Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Baseball Association (ZBA) will soon embark on a countrywide “back to basics” trainers’ coaching programme following the failure by local players to impress at the Major League Baseball (MLB) trials held in Bulawayo and Harare. MLB consultant Mike Randall and South African-based baseball coach Americo Juma conducted the trails at Hamilton High School and Harare last week to select players for an elite camp to be held in Cape Town in December.

Players that make the grade in the trials held across Africa will play against European, Asian and American teams at the end of year festival in Cape Town.

Morris Banda, acting ZBA president, said Randall indicated that local players had the potential, but there were a number of fundamentals about baseball that they still needed to learn.

“According to the report we got, our players are athletic but they need to be taught and understand the fundamentals of how to throw the ball, how to catch the ball, how to hit the ball and how to run,” said Banda.

“The potential is there and what we need to do is teach the coaches the basics. We have already had one training clinic and we hope to do more so that players grasp the fundamentals.

“MLB have even offered to hold coaching clinics for us and we shall be advising participants in due course,” he said.

In his report, Juma said lack of game time affected the Bulawayo-based players.

“The challenge for these players is that they do not get enough matches, proper coaches, coaching courses, equipment and funding. The players are good athletes and have the potential and with practice, more games and knowledgeable coaches, they can make it,” said Juma.

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
RUNAWAY leaders Bulawayo City are now just 360 minutes of football away from the Premier League after cruising to a comfortable away win over Hwange Under-20 on the same day that their closest rivals Bulawayo Chiefs slipped to a shattering defeat across town on Saturday. City hammered Hwange Under-20 3-0 at the Colliery Stadium to take their points tally to 55, nine clear of Chiefs, who lost 0-1 to ZPC Hwange.

City can now claim the sole ticket to the country’s flagship league if they win four of their remaining six games in the Zifa Southern Region Division One League. They can celebrate even earlier if Chiefs fail to collect maximum points in the process.

Chiefs can only end the season on 64 points, provided they win all their six remaining matches.

Philani “Beefy” Ncube’s City collected maximum points through three well taken goals by veteran Simba Sithole, Mkhululi Ncube and steady skipper Xolani “Scara” Moyo in a match watched by a sizeable crowd that included City chairman Jerry Sibanda and Matabeleland North Zifa boss Dennis Chuma.

City’s display was that of a well polished outfit hungry for a win. The defence was well marshalled by veteran Innocent Mapuranga, with young Lewis “Rambo” Ncube putting up a five star performance from the right-back position.

Another veteran, Ndodana Sibanda, was again at his usual best in goal and justified why City have only conceded five goals in 24 matches.

In a double header across town at Chakona Stadium in Ingagula suburb, the day belonged to home sides Makomo and ZPC Hwange, who both registered identical 1-0 wins over Bulawayo sides Bantu Rovers and Chiefs.

It was Tshintsha Guluva who first lost to a Tapera Ngwenya goal as Makomo collected three priceless points that pushed them away from the relegation zone.

Playing at a fast and exciting pace, the two teams went into the break tied 0-0, but were separated by the former Highlanders’ striker’s goal in the second half.

Justice Kaunda was the hero for ZPC Hwange with his goal that handed Chiefs their fourth defeat of the season and in the process dent their chances of narrowing the gap on City.

The Zifa Southern Region Musa Mandaza-led board resolved to have the two championship chasing sides playing their matches at the same time to avoid any pre-match calculations or match-fixing.

Results:

Makomo 1-0 Bantu Rovers, ZPC Hwange 1-0 Bulawayo Chiefs, Hwange U20 0-3 Bulawayo City, Casmyn 1-0 Ntabazinduna, Nust 3-0 Technosphere, Indlovu Iyanyathela 0-1 Amagagasi, Trumus 1-0 Mpumalanga

Jonathan Mashingaidze (left) and Cuthbert Dube

ZIFA president Cuthbert Dube, in a desperate bid to save his job, is likely to fire his chief executive Jonathan Mashingaidze this week after the misappropriation of funds of the Warriors/Guinea Nations Cup match three weeks ago. Dube faces a revolt from councillors who want to revoke his mandate on October 3 when an extraordinary meeting is due to be held at the Zifa Village.

That meeting comes hot on the heels of the reports that almost $12,000 is unaccounted for from the Afcon match with reports that board members paid themselves $4,000 from the game. Board member Tawengwa Hara, a Bulawayo lawyer, has confirmed he was paid $400, which he claims were for his travel expenses.

An audit is being carried out by the Sports Commission at the direction of the Ministry of Sport and Recreation and the outcome was expected yesterday after which heads are expected to roll at the beleaguered national association. The ministry is now led by Makhosini Hlongwane after Andrew Langa was fired last week.

Dube has been accused of protecting Mashingaidze. The former Premier Services Medical Aid Society boss says charges against Mashingaidze should be tabulated and brought to him to take action. “I’ve heard that I protect Mashingaidze, but why should I? I’m saying it in his presence. If he’s found to have embezzled money, he’ll be fired.

“I’ve no reason to protect him and I’ve said to the board members please document incidences where Mashingaidze has done wrong so that we use that to fire him. “We can’t just fire him without a valid case against him,” Dube told a media conference in Harare on Saturday. Mashingaidze attended that media conference.

The pressure on Dube comes against a background of reports, emanating from a forensic audit of PSMAS, which show that the Harare business executive might have abused his position, as head of the organisation, to pay himself obscene allowances and related earnings.

The forensic audit appears to suggest that Dube used PSMAS funds for Zifa business and our sister paper The Sunday Mail questioned whether the Harare executive was right to keep singing his song that he put in a fortune, in personal funds, into the association.

Zifa reported gate takings of over $88,000 but then declared a loss of $12,000 amid revelations that four board members paid themselves $4,000 from the day’s gate takings at Rufaro on September 6. A donation of $20,000 from Prophet Walter Magaya was not reflected in the books while Zifa said it paid $3,000 to Herentals College for buses for both Zimbabwe and Guinea, yet the institution claims it was not paid.

A Harare businessman also offered $12,000 for the purchase of tickets for the Warriors’ foreign-based players and, according to the books, he has been reimbursed, but he claims he has not received the money. However, the Zifa income/expenditure statement released by the association last week showed that the money was paid.

A Zifa extraordinary meeting is set for October 3 at Zifa Village in Mt Hampden and the “revoking of Dube’s mandate” is top of the agenda. A supporters’ group, led by Bulawayo-based businessman Eddie Chivero and aligned to some of Dube’s strongest critics, has laid fraud charges against the national association following the Guinea match. — Sports Reporter/Agencies

Tirivashe Nheweyembwa

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
THE Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) yesterday submitted its audit report of the African Cup of Nations qualifier between Zimbabwe and Guinea to the Ministry of Sports and Recreation. Former Sports Minister Andrew Langa last week ordered the SRC to audit Zifa books following allegations of financial irregularities after the national association had claimed the match generated a loss of over $12,000.

There were also allegations that four Zifa board members paid themselves $1,000 each, but that payment did not reflect on the income and expenditure statement released by the association. Board member Tawengwa Hara has already publicly admitted that he received $400 as reimbursement for costs he “incurred” for attending the match.

He received the money in the dead of night from fellow board member John Phiri, but his payment too doesn’t reflect on the Zifa income and expenditure statement. SRC spokesman Tirivashe Nheweyembwa last night said the commission had completed its task and had submitted its report to the Sports Ministry.

“We’ve managed to produce our preliminary report and submitted it to the Ministry today (yesterday), that’s all I can say at the moment,” said Nheweyembwa.

Mirriam Sibanda

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter—
DISCIPLINARY hearings for the three suspended Zifa board members will commence next week, according to the association’s chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze. The three officials — vice-president Omega Sibanda, board member for finance Ben Gwarada and women’s football boss Miriam Sibanda — were suspended in July on various charges.

“Hearings will commence next week. The disciplinary committee has already been appointed, but unfortunately I can’t reveal the names of the members involved for ethical reasons,” said Mashingaidze yesterday. The three board members were vocal critics of Zifa boss Cuthbert Dube’s leadership, resulting in their suspension from the board.

Omega and Gwarada face three counts each, while Miriam has to answer to 10 charges. Omega and Gwarada stand accused of contravening Article 1:15 of Schedule One of the Zifa rules and regulations of 2015. Count One says Omega and Gwarada both unlawfully and intentionally attended and chaired an unconstitutional Zifa extraordinary meeting called specifically to remove a lawfully elected Zifa president and board members, realising that there was a real risk or possibility that the gathering had not been sanctioned by the Zifa board in terms of the Zifa constitution.

Count Two reads: “In that during the month of May 2015 at Cresta Oasis, Harare, the respondents Omega Sibanda and Bernard Gwarada, one or both of them unlawfully and intentionally, without authority from the Zifa board spoke to the Press on diverse occasions and rubbished and uplifted the suspension of Miriam Sibanda, the chairperson of women’s football that had been duly imposed by the women football league’s assembly.”

According to count three, in June 2015, Omega and Gwarada unlawfully and with no approval from the Zifa board, leaked or caused to be leaked some Zifa board resolutions to the media after both had been suspended from the Zifa board on June 15, 2015.

It is not yet clear whether the trio will attend the hearings jointly or individually, but the timing of the cases has raised eyebrows as they come a few days before a crucial extraordinary general meeting that is likely to endorse the ouster of Dube as president, paving way for the sacking of Mashingaidze. The Zifa extraordinary meeting is set for October 3 in Harare.

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
CHICKEN Inn and FC Platinum said yesterday that they are not losing sleep after being knocked out of the Chibuku Super Cup at the weekend. The two sides said their focus was now on winning the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title. Chapungu sprung a shocker on Saturday, knocking out favourites Chicken Inn 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 stalemate in regulation time.

FC Platinum failed to defend their title after losing their quarter-final encounter 6-7 to Dynamos on penalties following a goalless draw in normal time. Dynamos will now face Chapungu in the semi-finals while ZPC Kariba, who thrashed How Mine 3-0, will battle it out with Harare City for a ticket to the final.

Chicken Inn and FC Platinum’s coaches were quick to accept defeat and focus on their next assignments. “We lost on penalties and you really can’t put the blame on anybody. The guys did well building from the back and bringing it into the midfield, but I think there wasn’t much creativity in the final third. But I’m proud of the boys and now we’re shifting focus to the league,” said Norman Mapeza, FC Platinum’s coach.

The Zvishavane side is second on the league table with 44 points, five behind pacesetters Chicken Inn, after 23 matches. FC Platinum have been in terrific form going on a 14-match unbeaten streak in the league.

They might be out of the Chibuku Super Cup, but they are closing in on Chicken Inn in the league. After whipping Dynamos 3-1 in a league encounter in Zvishavane last week, their cup clash was bound to be a tricky affair as the Harare giants were out to avoid defeat at all costs. DeMbare rectified their defensive blunders that cost them three points at Mandava Stadium with aplomb.

Their backline managed to thwart FC Platinum’s raids in the opening quarter where Young Warriors’ winger Marshal Mudehwe, Obrey Chirwa and Brian Muzondiwa took turns to harass the defenders. FC Platinum will be hoping to put the disappointment of the cup loss behind them by beating Tsholotsho FC, whom they face in their next league encounter.

Travelling to Bulawayo to face the Zhwane Boys will not be easy for the Zvishavane side as Tsholotsho FC equally need maximum points to survive relegation. FC Platinum are aware that dropping points at this stage could either see them lose second place to Dynamos or allow Chicken Inn to widen the gap.

Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas, whose side takes on Dynamos in the league, blamed the Chapungu loss to fatigue. “Without taking anything away from Chapungu, I think the midweek trip to Triangle took a toll on my boys. However, this defeat is water under the bridge and I think this gives us purpose to fight on in the league. With uninterrupted concentration, we’re hoping to bounce back to winning ways in our next league game,” said Antipas.

The Gamecocks came from a goal down to force a draw and take the Chapungu game into a penalty shootout. It is that ability to come from behind that makes Antipas believe in his troops. “To be honest, cup games are tricky but the fact that we never lost hope and fought back speaks volumes about the calibre of players we have. The guys gave their all and I’ve seen their determination to win games at all costs in the last two matches that we’ve played. Against Triangle we came from a goal down to win the match 2-1,” Antipas said.

How Mine were given a 3-0 hiding by ZPC Kariba. A brace by Raphael Manuvire and Protasho Kabwe powered the electricity generators into the semi-finals.

The gold miners continued their pathetic show even after the departure of Luke Masomere, who resigned last week. The defeat to ZPC Kariba wasn’t a good start for stand in coach Jeremiah Makota and he spoke of the need to concentrate on the league as they are slowly slipping into the relegation zone.

“We’re in the relegation zone and our main aim is to avoid going down. Against ZPC Kariba, we were testing one or two things and we hope to get things right when we play our next league game,” Makota said. How Mine’s next league match is away in Gweru against strugglers Whawha. It will be a repeat of the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-finals when Harare City welcome Triangle United at Rufaro Stadium for a league match. Harare City beat Triangle 5-0 in the Chibuku Super Cup.

Chibuku Super Cup quarter-finals results

Saturday: Chicken Inn 1-1 Chapungu (Chapungu won 5-3 on penalties), Triangle United 0-5 Harare City

Sunday: How Mine 0-3 ZPC Kariba, FC Platinum 0-0 Dynamos (Dynamos won 7-6 on penalties)

Chibuku Super Cup semi-finals draw

Chapungu v Dynamos, Harare City v ZPC Kariba

Castle Lager PSL Week 23 Fixtures

Chapungu v Buffaloes, Dongo Sawmill v Hwange, Harare City v Triangle United, Chicken Inn v Dynamos, Flame Lily v ZPC Kariba, Whawha v How Mine, Caps United v Highlanders, Tsholotsho FC v FC Platinum

                                   P W D L F A  GD  Pts

Chicken Inn          23 15 4 4 35 16 19 49

FC Platinum          23 13 5 5 43 19 24 44

Dynamos               23 11 9 3 28 17 11 42

Triangle United 23 10 7 6 36 18 18 37

Harare City         23 8 10 5 24 18 6 34

Caps United        23 8 10 5 16 16 0 34

Chapungu             23 8 8 7 20 21 -1 32

How Mine          23 8 7 8 25 26 -1 31

Hwange              23 6 11 6 24 23 1 29

Highlanders      23 7 7 9 26 23 3 28

Buffaloes           23 5 10 8 18 30 -12 25

ZPC Kariba      23 5 9 9 28 30 -2 24

Tsholotsho       23 4 9 10 14 25 -11 21

Flame Lily       23 3 10 10 17 29 -12 19

Whawha            23 4 7 12 13 41 -28 19

Dongo Sawmill  23 3 8 11 13 28 15 18

Makhosini Hlongwane

Eddie Chikamhi Harare Bureau—
The new Minister of Sports and Recreation, Makhosini Hlongwane, says those with questionable corporate governance records have no room in leadership positions in Zimbabwean sport and wants those in charge of Zifa to clean up their act. Hlongwane, who was recently appointed by President Mugabe, yesterday told our Harare Bureau that sport, especially football, has the potential to become a big industry which employs many people in line with the country’s economic policies. However, the game has not been able to realise its full potential because of administrative shortcomings.

“Our approach as a ministry is that football, like any other sporting discipline, is an industry. It’s an industry that needs to be nurtured and to be developed so that investors can find their space in that industry as well as dividends being declared and profits being made by those that invest in football,” said Hlongwane.

“But beyond that football must be able to attract sponsorship. “Therefore, to that extent as a ministry, we think that our intervention at the level of policy is on dealing with the governance and compliance issues as far as the running of sport in the country is concerned. “This is an issue that’s very high on my priorities. Good corporate governance in sport is very key to the success of Zimbabwe as a footballing nation.

“If we don’t deal with governance issues, if we don’t launder out right now issues of good corporate governance, we’ll find ourselves continuing to dance in circles and lines and we don’t want to do that.” However, Hlongwane faces a huge test as the nation awaits to see how he is going to handle the crisis at Zifa. The football mother body is the main problem child in his new portfolio.

His predecessor Andrew Langa was often criticised for the way he treated the issues at Zifa which have now deteriorated into a disaster. The association’s books are in the red with its debts ballooning to over $6m in the last five years. The football mother body has been tormented by numerous problems which have affected participation in international events and stifled results.

Zimbabwe this year faced the humiliation of being kicked out of the World Cup after failing to settle a debt to former coach Valinhos. The board itself has also been rocked by divisions and some members have been sacked without being given a chance to defend themselves as should be the case in such circumstances.

The crisis has led the Sports Commission to set up a commission of inquiry into the affairs of the association. The investigation has since been completed and the report, which says the main problem at Zifa centres around its president Cuthbert Dube and chief executive Jonathan Mashingaidze, will be discussed this week.

Hlongwane was also furnished with the audit into the recent match between Zimbabwe and Guinea which looked into allegations of financial misconduct. The minister said a solution has to be found for football and hinted that a clean-up was needed at the Zifa House to get the game back on its feet. A meeting is scheduled this week with stakeholders and on Thursday the minister is expected to make his first statement on the issue.

“One of the issues is obviously to launder out issues at Zifa and make sure that Zifa has a sparkling clean image that’s capable of attracting investment into the game of football,” said Hlongwane. “That’s very important. “So we’re going to be working on that. I’ve a meeting on Thursday morning with the Sports and Recreation Commission to discuss the report that has been put together by the Commission as directed by the ministry to investigate issues at Zifa in respect of such issues as the match between Zimbabwe and Guinea as well as the general inability of Zifa to make football a winning sport in Zimbabwe.

“On Thursday I’m going to be issuing a statement in respect of how we’re going to be proceeding with regards to issues of Zifa but of course the SRC is the organisation that’s supposed to be dealing with those matters. “They’ve done a report and that report is ready. It’s going to be brought to us and we’re going to interrogate it on Thursday. Several recommendations are going to be put on the table. We’re going to act on the basis of those recommendations that’re going to be put on the table.”

But while football tops the list because of its popularity, the minister said he wants to see Zimbabwe transform into a winning nation in various sports codes. He said it was important to look at ways to improve funding of sports from grassroots level, stakeholder engagement and harnessing the corporate world. He said, besides the sports policy which is now at advanced stages, Zimbabwe needed to come up with a national strategy for sports.

“We’re going to make sure that all sports are equally visible. We don’t want any sport to be referred to as a minority sport. “Of course, football is the flagship, one would say at the present moment, but we must allow competition of the various disciplines that enables the evolution of other disciplines to occupy the centre stage as far as sport is concerned in Zimbabwe.

“We’ve disciplines like chess for example, it’s a very important sport. We’ve tennis, we’ve cricket in Zimbabwe which is a very big sport. “We want to see how we can assist, to value add the processes that are happening as far as cricket is concerned. “We’ve rugby, we want also to interrogate that and say how do we assist the development of rugby in the country. But I can assure you we also want to look at traditional games.

“How do you make intsoro an important part of the sporting fraternity in our country, an integral part of the sporting fraternity instead of leaving those traditional games of ours out there in the periphery?” said Hlongwane.

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
ABOUT 10 men’s and women’s teams will battle it out in the Hockey Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) Cup set for Kumalo Hockey Stadium in Bulawayo on Saturday to mark the end of the season. Defending men’s champions Hippo Valley are favourites to retain their title having been instrumental in Masvingo province’s win at the HAZ Inter-Provincial finals held in Bulawayo in July.

HAZ vice-president Humphrey Chigwedere said eight men’s teams have confirmed their participation and they expect at least three women’s sides to compete for silverware.

Hippo Valley will have to overcome Rams from Masvingo, Western Knights of Mashonaland West, two Harare clubs Eradicators and Enthusiasts as well as two Bulawayo teams and one Midlands side if they hope to defend their men’s title.

In the women’s category, defending champions Bulawayo Athletic Club (BAC) are expected to play against Hippo Valley and either Drifters or Scorpions from Harare.

“In as far as preparations for the tournament are concerned, everything is set. It’s only in the women’s category where we’re told that one of the Harare teams has withdrawn meaning that there’s a high possibility of having three sides competing in that category,” said Chigwedere.

“Each team will pay a participation fee of $200 and all the participating clubs should get the rules and regulations of the tournament before Friday.”

After the tournament, HAZ selectors are expected to name the final men’s and women’s squads that will compete at the African Olympic Qualifiers (AOQ) to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from October 21 to November 1.

“The HAZ Cup will give the selectors a final assessment of the national teams. We expect a tight competition as players will be hoping to make it into the travelling party.

“Each team will have 18 players,” said Chigwedere.

Provisional Zimbabwe squads

Men

Tinavo Mushavi, Richards Michael, Pritchard Matambo, Cydreck Starch, Tapiwa Mafi, Kanyiwe Tapfuma, Neil Davidson, Tamsy Moyo, Prosper Sithole, Rowland Rixon Fuller, Donald Mutupo, Tendayi Maredza, Kudzanai Tembo, Takudzwa Mangwendeza, Keith Kachambwa, Michael Banda, Trethowan Peter, Edwin Tholanah, Matthew Williams, Ranga Mungwiniri, Arnold Mpofu, Warick Ullrich, Phillip Machaya, Gift Chomunorwa, Takudzwa Chipuma, Leecon Hadaga, Dion Wardley, Esau Mufandaedza, Dominic Ashley, Ben Muchedzi, Craig Bonethrone, Sibo Mangena, Rangarirai Museki, Stuart Murinda and Brad Hauer

Coaches

Collin Williams and Tongayi Mukwewa

Women

Jordyn Clipstone, Jaime Hasbroek, Christina Kondos, Nicky Hiripis, Cara Ross, Bridget Riley, Sarah Evans, Jenna Palmer, Mary Campbell, Bridget Hoard, Sarah McMillian, Natasha Hess, Stephanie Campbell, Kelly Kaulback, Aimee Nativel, Chantelle Zietsman, Jessica Dollar, Jessica Bray, Briony Bray, Pauline Ndlovu, Kristina Manolios, Roxy Viviers, Jessica Hilton-Barber, Chantelle Williams (nee Dexter), Melissa Sibanda, Natalie Dexter, Kirsten Godfrey, Michelle Williams, Sarah Burgess, Bridget Hatton, Rashmi Bhagat, Simone Karim, Audrey Mangwende, Runyararo Chadzinya, Melissa Warambwa, Chiyevo Chingoka, Tariro Nyamudeza, Tariro Dziso, Matiwana Madamombe, Iman Johnson, Harmony Johnson, Kelly Diplock, Anotida Chimuka, Beatrice Chada and Allison Shumba

Coach: Eddie Chitinga

Geophrey Sifani Sports Reporter
MAISON Nic say they will not be intimidated by leaders Railstars when the two clash in a Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Darts Association League match tonight. Railstars have virtually cruised this season and lost just one match out of 20. They also have had more than a week to prepare for this match as they were inactive last week.

Railstars sit on 19 points from 20 matches while Maison Nic are third on 17 points from 21 outings.

A lot is at stake in today’s match with Railstars looking to collect maximum points to continue their march towards the title.

Second placed Archers would be hoping Maison Nic can halt Railstars’ charge and they win their game to close the gap and boost their chances of retaining the crown.

Archers won last year’s championship but have largely played second fiddle to Railstars this term.

Archers will play Bellevue while struggling Parkview Khanka face bottom of the table Queens.

Fixtures

Bellevue v Archers; Bosso v Zim School of Mines; How Mine v ZRP Bulawayo; Khami v Support Unit Fairbridge; Maison Nic v Railstars; Parkview Kanka v Queens

P W L F A D PTS

Railstars 20 19 1 561 219 342 19

Archers 19 17 2 526 216 310 17

Maison Nic 21 17 4 473 346 127 17

Parkview lions 20 13 7 423 339 84 13

Bosso 20 13 7 392 388 4 13

Supp Unit Fbrdg 20 11 9 394 368 26 11

Zim Sch of Mines 20 11 9 386 394 -8 11

Bellevue 20 7 13 332 413 -81 7

ZRP Bulawayo 20 6 14 301 444 -143 6

Khami 20 6 14 308 400 -92 6

How Mine 20 5 15 314 448 -134 5

Parkview Kanka 21 3 18 317 503 -186 3

Queens 21 3 18 276 525 -249 3

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
FRANCHISE cricket bosses meet in Harare this afternoon to plan for the 2015-16 season whose kick-off has been pushed back to November due to a tight international cricket schedule. Zimbabwe Cricket has advised the four franchises, Matabeleland Tuskers, Mashonaland Eagles, MidWest Rhinos and Manicaland Mountaineers that the new season will now start on November 4 instead of October 6.

“We’ve been called for a meeting in Harare to plan for the new season. We’ll also be briefed about financing of franchises. It’s at this meeting where we’ll get the calendar for the coming season because the initial programme has been revised due to a tight international programme,” said Stanley Staddon, Matabeleland Tuskers’ chief executive officer.

The busy international schedule starts with Pakistan playing two Twenty20 games and three one-day internationals (ODIs) against Zimbabwe.

Pakistan are expected in the country this week and play their first T20 match on Sunday and the second on Tuesday at Harare Sports Club.

The ODIs are set for October 1, 3 and 5 at the same venue.

After Pakistan’s departure, Ireland will arrive for three ODIs to be played between October 9 and 15 in Harare.

International cricket will then move to Bulawayo’s Queens Sports Club for the limited overs’ series against Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

Afghanistan, who last toured Zimbabwe in 2014, arrive in Bulawayo on October 13 for a three-week visit.

Dates for the Afghanistan one-day matches are October 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24.

Afghanistan will then have a two-day rest before playing the first T20 game on October 27 and wrap up their visit to Bulawayo two days later with the last T20 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 ODIs and two four-dayers.

Bangladesh will play the first of three ODIs on November 3. The next ODI will be played two days later, with the last set for November 7.

After playing the ODIs, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh will battle it out in two four-dayers to be played from November 10-13 and November 17-20.

Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
AN eight-member Zimbabwe cycling team, the Flying Eagles, has embarked on an 800KM cross-country cycling tour as part of campaigns to raise awareness on climate change. The Flying Eagles joined cycling teams from eight other African countries in the climate for justice campaign. The Flying Eagles started their two-week tour at the Plumtree Border Post, and the team’s captain Thomas Classen said the campaign was being held jointly with Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

Classen said each of these countries’ cycling teams was expected to complete their course before handing over the baton stick to their neighbouring country.

“We officially took the baton stick from our Botswana counterparts, Team Jonmol Cyling Club, who cycled throughout their country. Our cycle tour is from the Plumtree Border Post to the Chirundu Border where we will hand over the baton to Zambia,” said Classen.

“Along the way, our team will be disseminating information on climate change related issues and planting trees at institutions such as schools as well as collecting petitions from community members.”

The cycling tour is the brain child of the “We Have Faith Pan African Campaign for Climate Justice” that is spearheaded locally by the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC).

Zimbabwe joined other African countries in petitioning their governments to show commitment towards mainstreaming climate change agendas ahead of the United Nations’ Climate Change Conference to be held in Paris, France, in December.

During the campaign, youths from Africa are expected to cycle through their countries from border to border.

ZCC acting general secretary Gabriel Manyangadze said the campaign sought to mobilise communities across the African continent, raise awareness on climate change and support their engagement through collecting one million petitions.

“We want African youths and faith leaders to influence their national governments’ position towards climate change issues. This will be done through collecting petitions and during the process, communities or petitioners will also be encouraged to plant a tree and take maximum care of it,” said Manyangadze in a statement.

“A million trees will be planted at identified ‘green zone areas’ in nine African countries, which will mainly be at different public institutions and churches.”

Manyangadze said the cycling tour was a symbolic event to demonstrate practical action that people could adopt practices to reduce carbon emissions in the transport sector.

He said bicycles were a safe mode of transport that was harmless to the environment.

The cycling tour started from Maputo, Mozambique, on August 31 and will end in Nairobi, Kenya, on November 8.

Ellina Mhlanga Harare Bureau
ORGANISERS of this year’s Handball Presidential Trophy have revealed that preparations are underway with teams already registering for the event slated for the weekend at Houghton Park Primary School. The annual tournament is set for Saturday and Sunday with men and women’s teams from across the country expected to fight for honours.

Chairperson of the organising committee for the tournament Joan Takafuma said at least 20 teams from Masvingo and Harare have already confirmed their participation.

“Masvingo have already confirmed they’ll be sending 10 teams. Last year we had 20 teams and the two provinces we’ve so far, Masvingo and Harare have already surpassed that number. I don’t know how many teams the other provinces will send. We also have four schools, private colleges and universities that have confirmed, so we expect more teams this year,” said Takafuma.

Last year the event featured teams from Mozambique, who won the men’s event and the women’s title went to Danhamombe, who are expected to defend their title this year.

However, Takafuma said they are not certain if they will have any foreign teams coming for this year’s edition.

“Last year Mozambique’s men were number one and number two. Thunderbolt, a team based at Churchill were third. Malawi wanted to come but they changed plans, South Africa were promising to come but I didn’t do a follow-up because I wasn’t sure if we were going to succeed to host the tournament. But then we had clubs last week and at the weekend confirming their participation.

“Danhamombe have been the defending champions for women even for schools competition and they’re coming. Girls High were second.

“This is the third year we’re having the presidential trophy. The standard is high with teams like Danhamombe and Girls High. Remember they’ve travelled the world over for international games in countries as far as Sweden, Germany and Italy, so these players are now skilled. It’s good that we’ve both best teams and those that will be coming for the first time because it shapes the competition. The tournament has been helpful in the development of handball,” said Takafuma.

The teams will pay $50 participation fee and Takafuma said registration will be open until the day of competition.

Willard Katsande

KAIZER Chiefs’ reinforcer Willard Katsande admits his side is downbeat following the MTN8 final loss to Ajax Cape Town yet feels his side has the mental strength to bounce back immediately. The Glamour Boys were unable to defend their Top 8 title in Port Elizabeth, going down 1-0 to the Urban Warriors who lifted their first trophy in seven years.

Katsande says his side was disappointed with the loss, but backs his side to hit straight back in their next League fixture. “Champions always bounce back,” he told his club’s official website. “It was upsetting, especially because we wanted to keep the trophy,” said Katsande. “However, we’ve learnt from our mistakes and our focus is now on defending our Absa Premiership trophy. Unlike a cup, which is a sprint, the league is a marathon.”

Chiefs face 15th placed University of Pretoria today, yet Katsande is not underestimating the Tshwane outfit. “We respect Tuks. They’re a good side, but we’ll be ready.” The Zimbabwean thanked the Khosi faithful for their support despite the loss and aims to repay their backing with a good performance against Tuks.

“Our supporters were great. They didn’t boo us. Instead, they gave us full support until after the game, despite the disappointing result. “That’s also why we want to come up with a positive result on Wednesday. We want to reward our fans for always being behind us. They give us so much motivation and they always inspire us to do better.”

Following their match-up against Tuks today, Chiefs will look to avenge their MTN8 final defeat when they take on Ajax in a league encounter at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday morning. — Kick Off

Stephen Mangongo

THE Zimbabwe Cricket board has appointed former Zimbabwe coach Stephen Mangongo to take charge of the national Under-19 side. Mangongo’s immediate task is to work with the provisional Under-19 squad in preparation for the International Cricket Council Under-19 Cricket World Cup, which will be in Bangladesh from January 22 to February 13 next year.

He takes over from interim coach Walter Chawaguta, who has been appointed to the national selection panel together with David Mutendera. Both Chawaguta and Mutendera are not newcomers to the panel. Chawaguta, a former Zimbabwe coach, was national selector in 2004 and Mutendera, a former Zimbabwe international, who earlier on in his career had been one of the first students at the Zimbabwe Cricket Academy, sat on the panel five years ago.

Chawaguta and Mutendera join national coach Davenell Whatmore and captain Elton Chigumbura on the national selection panel that is chaired by convener Kenyon Ziehl. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Cricket have joined the international community in mourning the late president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Jagmohan Dalmiya.

Dalmiya passed away on Sunday evening, three days after being admitted into hospital complaining of chest pain. In his message of condolence, ZC chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani said that his board, life presidents and life vice-presidents, the franchises and provincial associations, management, players and other staff all extended their heartfelt condolences on the passing away of Dalmiya.

“When we heard that he had been admitted to hospital on Thursday we all expected that he would recover and get back to running the game that had become an essential part of his life. Alas, it was not to be. “Zimbabwe Cricket benefited immensely from the support and guidance it received from Mr Dalmiya as your president and also during his tenure as the International Cricket Council president,” said Mukuhlani in the message to the BCCI secretary, Anurag Thakur.

Describing Dalmiya as having been “a leading cricket administrator and an astute businessman,” Mukuhlani added that he had the rare ability of mixing with both the high and mighty and the common man. The ZC chairman bemoaned the passing away of Dalmiya, saying the cricket world had lost “a veritable fountain of knowledge”.

l The Zimbabwe national team continued with their preparations for the upcoming tour of Pakistan when they played their last practice match at the Harare Sports Club yesterday. Convener of selectors Kenyon Ziehl said the Zimbabwe camp is happy with the progress. “I believe we’ve done thorough mental and practical preparations and what’s now left is for the guys to perform.

“Thankfully, we don’t have any injury problems and hopefully the situation remains like that,” said Ziehl. Pakistan are expected to arrive tomorrow. They will play two Twenty20 matches and three One Day Internationals starting this Sunday. — Zimcricket/Sports Reporter

Moses Chunga

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter—
THE survival fight for the bottom seven Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clubs continues this weekend with each of them facing a tricky encounter. Highlanders, Buffaloes, ZPC Kariba, Tsholotsho FC, Flame Lily, Whawha and Dongo are all involved in must-win matches to move away from the drop zone.

Bosso, who sit 10th on the league table with 28 points, could find themselves equal on points with 11th placed Buffaloes, if they lose to Caps United at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday and the soldiers beat airforce side Chapungu. The Bulawayo giants are in an unfamiliar position on the league table and should brace for a taxing game against a Caps United side that beat them 1-0 at Barbourfields Stadium in the reverse fixture in May through a strike by defender Stephen Makatuka.

Both clubs go into the match with a bit of confidence following 1-0 wins after going four games without a victory. Highlanders edged Flame Lily at Barbourfields while Caps United beat Hwange at the Colliery. What makes the two giants’ meet even more exciting is that they are both competing for different goals. Caps United are fighting for a top four finish, while Highlanders are trying to avoid the axe.

A slip by Highlanders will give Buffaloes a chance to draw level in the event that they collect maximum points at Chapungu on Saturday. Buffaloes are on 25 points, a point above ZPC Kariba. The electricity generators are three points ahead of Tsholotsho, who are 13th. Tsholotsho, Flame Lily, Whawha and Dongo Sawmill occupy the four relegation slots.

By this time last season, Black Rhinos, Shabanie Mine, Bantu Rovers and Chiredzi were in the red and the four failed to escape the chop. It remains to be seen whether Tsholotsho, Flame Lily, Whawha and Dongo Sawmill would be able to collect as many points as possible to save themselves from returning to the unfashionable Division One League after just a season in the topflight.

The Zhwane Boys are confident of surviving relegation despite their remaining tough fixtures. On Saturday, Tsholotsho welcome high-flying FC Platinum at White City Stadium. The platinum miners have gone on an unbeaten run of 14 games in the league, making them one of the most feared sides.

Following their defeat by Dynamos in the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final on Sunday, FC Platinum will be hoping to recover against Tsholotsho. “We’re in a precarious position where every point matters. We’re not worried about how our opponents are playing because this is a new ball game altogether. As a club, we’re confident of surviving relegation and what’s required of us is to collect as many points as possible. It won’t be easy, but the boys are giving their best and it’s evident with their performances,” said Tsholotsho coach Lizwe Sweswe.

After registering their first home victory of the season a fortnight ago when they beat How Mine 2-1, the Zhwane Boys are eager to make FC Platinum their next victims. The platinum miners come to Bulawayo without suspended ex-Tsholotsho midfielder Gerald Takwara, who joined the Zvishavane side in July. Takwara has been an integral part of FC Platinum’s central midfield, protecting the back four alongside Winston Mhango.

His unavailability could be a blessing for Tsholotsho as most players tend to give their former paymasters a hard time. Tsholotsho should be on the lookout for FC Platinum’s attacking trio of Obrey Chirwa, Brian Muzondiwa and Marshal Mudehwe, who have been terrorising most PSL defenders. The home team will bank on veteran Joel Luphahla, defensive midfielder Butholezwe Ncube, skipper William Stima and playmaker Ocient Ncube to lead their quest for maximum points against the Zvishavane side.

It will be a battle of relegation contenders at Rufaro Stadium on Saturday when Flame Lily take on Sunday Chidzambwa’s ZPC Kariba while Whawha are at home to troubled How Mine on Sunday. Dongo Sawmill take on Hwange at Vengere Stadium in Rusape.

Fixtures
Saturday: Tsholotsho v FC Platinum (White City), Flame Lily v ZPC Kariba (Rufaro, 1PM SuperSport), Harare City v Triangle United (Rufaro, 3PM SuperSport), Chapungu v Buffaloes (Ascot)

Sunday: Caps United v Highlanders (National Sports Stadium, 3PM SuperSport), Whawha v How Mine (Ascot), Dongo Sawmill v Hwange (Vengere), Chicken Inn v Dynamos (Barbourfields)

Suspended PSL players: Passmore Bernard (Chicken Inn), Peter Muzondo (Triangle United), Vimbai Gibson Madamombe (Whawha), Livingstone Genti (Whawha), Gerald Takwara (FC Platinum)

P W D L F A GD Pts

Chicken Inn 23 15 4 4 35 16 19 49

FC Platinum 23 13 5 5 43 19 24 44

Dynamos 23 11 9 3 28 17 11 42

Triangle United 23 10 7 6 36 18 18 37

Harare City 23 8 10 5 24 18 6 34

Caps United 23 8 10 5 16 16 0 34

Chapungu 23 8 8 7 20 21 -1 32

How Mine 23 8 7 8 25 26 -1 31

Hwange 23 6 11 6 24 23 1 29

Highlanders 23 7 7 9 26 23 3 28

Buffaloes 23 5 10 8 18 30 -12 25

ZPC Kariba 23 5 9 9 28 30 -2 24

Tsholotsho 23 4 9 10 14 25 -11 21

Flame Lily 23 3 10 10 17 29 -12 19

Whawha 23 4 7 12 13 41 -28 19

Dongo Sawmill 23 3 8 11 13 28 15 18

The Highlanders luxurious Marcopolo bus

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
THREE months after taking delivery of a luxury bus imported from South Africa, Highlanders are yet to complete its registration formalities. Highlanders’ primary sponsors BancABC last month came to the rescue of the Bulawayo giants by paying import duty of the bus believed to be in the region of $22,000, but the bus is still grounded as they are facing more hurdles in the final registration process.

A source said Zimra has been holding onto the customs clearance certificate (CCC) that is required to get new number plates. “The club owes PAYE (Pay As You Earn) and they need to come up with a way of servicing it. Highlanders aren’t the only club that owe Zimra, but unfortunately they’ve to make some payment plan and deposit a substantial amount to show commitment before they get the CCC. Many clubs haven’t been remitting PAYE and they get caught when they want a tax clearance certificate,” said a source.

It could not be established how much the club owes Zimra in unremitted PAYE. Zimra held a workshop last year for all PSL clubs to educate them on tax issues. PSL chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele could not be drawn into commenting about the clubs’ standing with Zimra. “As a body, we encourage clubs to be compliant with relevant statutory boards. Most issues are discussed with the PSL governors and it’ll not be fair for the league to comment on confidential matters discussed at clubs’ meetings,” Ndebele said.

Just like Ndebele, Highlanders’ chairman Peter Dube chose to be diplomatic when quizzed about the hold up on the bus’ registration. He said the club was making frantic efforts to be “compliant with a relevant statutory board” so that they complete the process. “Just like any other company or football team, we’re faced with challenges because of the environment that we’re operating in. With all things being equal, the process of registration doesn’t take a long time but one has to be compliant with all relevant bodies. We’re in the process of conforming to the demands of the bodies,” said Dube, without naming the statutory body.

After Vice-President Emmerson Mnanganwa officiated at the official hand-over ceremony of the bus at Barbourfields Stadium in June, the general view among Bosso followers was that the club would use the bus to save on transport costs. However, the bus remains parked at the Bosso offices along Robert Mugabe Way in Bulawayo due to the registration hiccups.

The process of getting the bus compliant with statutory requirements in a normal setup takes about three weeks. Highlanders need to register the bus with Zinara through Zimra, who will give them a motor vehicle registration book and number plates, since the luxury coach is an import. To get the number plates, Bosso have to obtain a police clearance from the Vehicle Theft Squad after the cops have checked with their South African counterparts that the bus was properly acquired.

This process, according to sources, takes about 24 hours. Armed with a police clearance, the Bulawayo giants will then proceed to Zimra, produce a customs clearance certificate, motor vehicle insurance and other documentation needed by the taxmen before getting the number plates. Number plates cost $160. With all the documents in order, it should take just two days to get the plates.

The process that takes longer is the application for an operator’s licence, which takes up to two weeks. Bosso would have to attach passenger insurance to the operator’s licence when taking the coach to be examined by the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID), who will issue them with a road worthiness certificate if the bus has no defects.

The Bulawayo giants also need about five days to apply for a permit. Once Highlanders begin using their bus for away matches, they will make significant savings on their limited resources. At present, Highlanders have been spending at least $1,200 to hire a bus for away games.

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter—
STRUGGLING Castle Lager Premier Soccer League club Tsholotsho FC have roped in former Highlanders coach Bongani Mafu to assist Lizwe Sweswe in a bid to escape relegation. The Zhwane Boys, who are sitting precariously on 13th position, released Mighty Warriors’ assistant coach Sithethelelwe “Kwinji” Sibanda to make way for Mafu.

Tsholotsho seem to have seen some potential in Mafu, who was fired with his technical team consisting of Mandla Mpofu, Peter Nkomo and Netsai Moyo for poor results at Highlanders at the beginning of this month. Bosso wielded the axe on Mafu after leading the team to three consecutive defeats resulting in the team dropping close to the relegation zone.

He was fired when Bosso was in 10th place, a position they have remained on since his axing. Some Tsholotsho players said Mafu was introduced to them as the technical advisor to Sweswe by club chairman Mlamuli Phiri during their training session at White City Stadium yesterday.

“We were told that he’ll be with the team until the end of the season and he watched Sweswe taking us through our drills. It was just a light training session and in his pep talk, Mafu was blunt saying he wants to help us survive relegation. From his talk, you can tell that he means business and our guess is that he wants to prove a point that he didn’t fail at Highlanders,” said the player.

Tsholotsho benefactor Mandla Manyathela was also present when Mafu was introduced to the players. Phiri confirmed introducing Mafu to the players but said he would be in a better position to shed more light about the engagement of the former Bosso gaffer today. “At the moment I’m on my way to Tsholotsho where I’ll brief the whole executive about the decision. I’ve to make this formal and if you call me tomorrow, I’ll be able to give you more details,” said Phiri.

Tsholotsho are left with seven crucial games, four at home and three away. Mafu’s return to the dugout is a home clash against title contenders FC Platinum at White City on Saturday. Mafu infamously branded FC Platinum’s type of play as pathetic ahead of a home tie against the Zvishavane side while still in charge of Bosso.

Bosso went on to be outplayed and lost the match 1-2 in what was the first of three consecutive defeats that eventually resulted in his sacking. Tsholotsho’s next game will be away to Buffaloes and then Whawha (at home), Triangle United (away), Chicken Inn (home) before another derby against Highlanders. They end the season with a home game against Harare City.

The road to survival will not be easy for Tsholotsho even though Sweswe was confident they could still move out of the relegation zone. Meanwhile, rumours swirled last night that another former Bosso gaffer Kelvin Kaindu had stepped down as Triangle United coach following a poor run that saw them being drabbed 0-5 by Harare City in the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, but the club issued a brief statement quashing the rumours.

“Kelvin Kaindu is Triangle FC club (technical) manager contrary to some speculative rumours that he has left the job to fill the vacancy left by Luke ‘Vahombe’ Masomere at How Mine. Kaindu is here to stay, wait until he resigns. “Those vying for his post, stop the sabotage,” read the club’s statement posted on their official Facebook timeline last night.

Wheels seem to have come off at Triangle United after going for five league games without a win. The Lowveld side only managed two draws. Triangle United were championship contenders up to the halfway stage of the league when they started faltering.

Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
ABOUT 300 athletes are expected to take part in the 11th edition of the Two Countries’ Marathon involving Zimbabwe and South Africa to be held in the South African border town of Musina on Saturday morning.

Zimbabwean athletes have dominated the marathon since its inception, with defending champion Nkosiyazi Sibanda of Blanket Mine winning the 42,2km run for the fifth time in a row last year.

Race coordinator Nell Ferreira yesterday said the stage had been set for the race and they were ready to roll.

He said 55 athletes, would include 14 Zimbabweans and 41 South Africans, will compete in the 42,2km road run that will start in Beitbridge and end in Musina.

Ferreira said 124 runners will take part in the half marathon and 121 in the 9km walk.

“The 42,2km race will start at Nottingham turn-off, 10km outside Beitbridge town along the Bulawayo road and end at Eric Louw High School in Musina. Both the 21,1km and 9km races will start and finish at Eric Louw High School,” said Ferreira.

“We opened up registration two months early so that we could have many people from both countries taking part in the race. Applications for the main race were closed a fortnight ago for logistical reasons while those for other races will close on Saturday morning at 5AM.”

Ferreira said the race was open to athletes from both Zimbabwe and South Africa with valid travel documents.

In addition to valid travel documents, the participants also paid registration fees of R105 for the 42,2kmrace, R85 for 21,1km and R65 for the 9km walk.

“We are looking forward to a very successful event this year. A lot of groundwork has been covered in terms of the route markings and border logistics. Actually, we are building on the successes of previous events and are very hopeful that we will have a memorable event,” he said.

Winners for the main race will pocket R7,000, R4,500 and R3,000 and get gold medals, while all finishers will get bronze medals.

The Two Countries’ Marathon was organised by the Musina municipality and the local authorities of the Beitbridge Town Council and Beitbridge Rural District Council. Since its inception, the race has been dominated by Zimbabwean athletes, particularly the marathon and half marathon.

Among the Zimbabwean favourites for the event are defending champion Sibanda, Amos Chidodo, Collin Kanyimo, Charles Soza, Sicino Dube, Livingstone Chauke, Elijah Mutandiro, Josphat Mugove, Wellington Chidodo, Fadzai Mkwananzi, Farai Razaro and Patrick Chipoyi.

Lanky long distance runners, Lizzy Chikoore and Chiedza Chikoore will represent Zimbabwe in the women’s marathon.

Chelsea’s Spain forward Diego Costa was on Tuesday banned for three matches for raising his hands to the face of Arsenal centre-back Laurent Koscielny. Costa was found guilty of violent conduct during Chelsea’s 2-0 Premier League win over their London rivals on Saturday.

The 26-year-old former Atletico Madrid striker had denied the Football Association charge over the incident, which had been missed by referee Mike Dean.

“An FA charge against Diego Costa for violent conduct not seen by the match officials but caught on video has been found proven following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing,” said the FA in a statement.

“The Chelsea forward will, therefore, serve the standard penalty of a three-match suspension with immediate effect.”

In a statement, Chelsea said: “We are extremely disappointed with the FA Regulatory Commission’s decision to suspend Diego Costa. We will await their written reasons before commenting further.”

Costa twice appeared to strike Koscielny with his hand towards the end of the first half at Stamford Bridge and then became embroiled in an altercation with Arsenal’s Brazilian defender Gabriel, for which both players were booked.

Moments later, with Costa and Gabriel continuing to snipe at each other, the Arsenal defender flicked his heel towards the Chelsea striker and Dean reacted by sending the Brazilian off.

However, earlier on Tuesday, Arsenal won an appeal against Gabriel’s dismissal, freeing the 24-year-old to play in Arsenal’s north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup on Wednesday. — AFP