MUTARE
It appears teams from Manicaland, Mutare are here to stay in Zimbabwe’s premiership league of the CBZ when Eastern Lions narrowly edged in front of visiting Lancashire Steel to collect the maximum three points at Sakubva Stadium on Sunday.
The hosts scored their only goal of the day through Ali Kazembe in the 25th minute. After that period, the match went for a stalemate with both sides firing blanks.
At the end of the 90 minutes of regulation time, Kazembe’s goal proved decisive as they registered their first victory of the season, 1-0.
Despite the all-important goal, Eastern Lions’ play was characterised by poor marking, poor co-ordination upfront, aimless high balls and unnecessary off-sides.
Lancashire Steel, who are on the verge of facing relegation if the technical department does not change, were the pale shadow of their former selves.
Unconfirmed reports claim the Midlands soccer outfit is planning to fire their head coach Max Malume Moyo before they get into any worse trouble. – CAJ News
Black Leopards appoint Murape head coach
THOHOYANDOU
Struggling South African premiership side Black Leopards have appointed top Zimbabwean coach Sherpard Murape to steer them away from looming relegation in the ABSA premiership league.
Murape, formerly of Eiffel Flats and Rio Tinto premiership sides in Zimbabwe, was appointed head coach for Lidoda Duvha, as Black Leopards are commonly known, and has so far won two matches in a row – seeming to prove that the Zimbabwean is the right technical man for the job.
The former Warriors and Dream Team midfielder-cum-defender took over the reins from three other coaches fired for poor results.
Zimbabwean coaches are proving their mettle in the SA premiership. Ian Gorowa of Moroka Swallows and Wilfred Mugeyi of South Africa’s premiership leaders Cape Town Ajax are proving to be committed to their work despite some xenophobic attacks by some sections of the media.
as for Murape, it appears the sky is the limit for him in Limpopo, where he is slowly rebuilding the Lidodo Duvha outfit. – CAJ News
Uncertain future for three top Warriors
JOHANNESBURG
The Zimbabwean trio of Elasto Kapowezha, Alois Bunjira and Charles Yohane may not realise their dreams of making a return to topflight football.
FC AK, the first division side the three play for, faces an uncertain future after the Premier Soccer League found the team guilty of bribery and corruption.
The team, which won promotion to the premier league, is likely to be banned for its problems.
FC AK owner Azziz Kara was recently found guilty of bribing Mpumalanga Black Aces goalkeeper, Michael Babale, to throw away a match between the two sides.
Kapowezha and Yohane, who were aiming to make a return to the topflight after stints with Wits University, joined the controversial club two seasons ago. Bunjira joined at the beginning of the season. – CAJ News
Lord’s ditched for Dubai
BANGALORE – The ICC’s annual conference will be held in Dubai this June, ending a 99-year association with Lord’s.
The decision to abandon London as the host venue was taken by the majority of the ICC Executive Board at the opening of the IPL in Bangalore last week after Zimbabwe Cricket President Peter Chingoka said his attempts to obtain a visa to enter the UK had been blocked.Â
Billions for bulging biceps
HARARE – Bodybuilder Shingi Gora of Bulawayo Health Studio won the Mr Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Muscleman at the weekend.
Gora walked away with Z$5bn and 20kg of mealie-meal after beating eight other contenders with his well developed triceps and biceps.
Gora, also holds the title Mr Matabeleland.
Ntokozo Mahlangu from Gwanda Gym came second, and Peter Wenceslaus of Body Tech Health Studio came third.
Road race results
Chinhoyi-based athlete Joshua Sabao won the second edition of the Friendly Supermarket road race at Machipisa Shopping Centre on Sunday.
Sabao (19) completed the race in 37 minutes 48 seconds ahead of Edwin Chimombe of Lobels who came second in 37 minutes 57 seconds. Third was Elijah Mabhunu of Gaths Mine with 38 minutes 0.60 seconds.
Sabao also won in the junior men’s category.
Olympic Games bound Tabitha Tsatsa of the Zimbabwe Republic Police team won the women’s race in 45 minutes 48 seconds, followed by Rutendo Nyahora with a time of 47 minutes 55 seconds and Tawapo Bhiri of Turnall with 49 minutes 47 seconds.
In the wheelchair category, veteran Elford Moyo of Danhiko retained his title after romping home in 34 minutes 50 seconds. Second and third place were won by Edmund Makutya of Star Africa (40:46) and Alexander Mnkandla (51:16).
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