Although Nkathas side, Free State Stars, failed to end their 16-year trophy drought, when they bowed out in the semi-finals, the former Caps FC hitman managed to curve a niche for himself in the competition by winning the Golden Boot. Nkatha scored in each of Ea Lla Kotos games in the competition, including the face-saver when his side was thrashed 3-1 by eventual winners, Wits University in the semi-finals. Wits won the trophy after beating Amazulu 3-0 in the final.
That goal meant that the striker scored in each of Stars final five games in major South African cup competitions and brought his tally in those games to six goals in five games. After scoring one of the Ea Lla Koto lost 4-3 to Mamelodi Sundowns in the Telkom Knockout last 16, Nkatha began his NedBank Cup account with a brace in his clubs 6-1 demolition of lower division side, Tower United in the NedBank Cup first round.
He then scored a goal in each of his sides games against Ajax Cape Town, Mpumalanga Black Aces and Wits to take his tally to five goals. This rich vein of form has cemented Nkhathas place in the Stars team, following a disappointing performance in his debut 2007/08 season.
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P23 Sport
Nkatha’s fiery from pays off
JOHANNESBURG Red-hot Zimbabwean striker, Kingstone Nkathas, fiery form in the twilight stages of the ABSA Premiership is set to give him a cash reward of R100 000, after he emerged the top goal scorer in the just-ended NedBank Cup South Africas biggest cup competition.
Although Nkathas side, Free State Stars, failed to end their 16-year trophy drought, when they bowed out in the semi-finals, the former Caps FC hitman managed to curve a niche for himself in the competition by winning the Golden Boot.
Nkatha scored in each of Ea Lla Kotos games in the competition, including the face-saver when his side was thrashed 3-1 by eventual winners, Wits University in the semi-finals. Wits won the trophy after beating Amazulu 3-0 in the final.
That goal meant that the striker scored in each of Stars final five games in major South African cup competitions and brought his tally in those games to six goals in five games.
After scoring one of the Ea Lla Koto lost 4-3 to Mamelodi Sundowns in the Telkom Knockout last 16, Nkatha began his NedBank Cup account with a brace in his clubs 6-1 demolition of lower division side, Tower United in the NedBank Cup first round.
He then scored a goal in each of his sides games against Ajax Cape Town, Mpumalanga Black Aces and Wits to take his tally to five goals.
This rich vein of form has cemented Nkhathas place in the Stars team, following a disappointing performance in his debut 2007/08 season. Mxolisi Ncube
Bosso players blast executive
BULAWAYO Some Highlanders players this week blasted the clubs management, accusing them of exploitation and disregard for players welfare.
Most Bosso players, who told ***The Zimbabwean that the club had, since the beginning of the year, delayed their payments by more than two weeks, accused the clubs executive, chaired by Themba Ndlela, of employing a casual approach to issues dealing with their welfare, especially their payment.
The players attributed this to their slow start to the current league campaign, in which Bosso have lost all three away matches so far this season.
The former league champions, who last lifted the crown under the Ernest Maphepha Sibanda leadership in 2006, lost their first away fixture 1-0 to perennial rivals, Dynamos at Rufaro Stadium and recorded an identical deficit to Premiership returnees, Shabanie Mine at Maglas Stadium the following week.
Two weeks ago, Bosso succumbed to their biggest loss in years against their traditional punching bags Caps United at Rufaro stadium, where they were thrashed 3-1 and the players said the executive should shoulder the blame for that.
A few days before the Caps United game, Bosso players had threatened to strike over their April salaries but instead of addressing them on that, the executive responded by suspending three returnee senior players Joel Luphahla, Siza Khoza and Bekithemba Ndlovu, who were all accused of inciting the botched industrial action.
That again showed us that instead of showing concern over our welfare, the executive is only interested in finding scapegoats and we resolved as players not to allow that, said one Bosso player who requested not to be named.
That is why we gave the club an ultimatum that we would all refuse to train if they continued victimising our colleagues because no one was incited, but we shared the same concerns and threatened the strike action after seeing that nobody was taking us seriously. Instead, they should be grateful to people like Joe because he has given his best to the team whenever he gets onto the pitch.
This was not the first time that Bosso players failed to receive their salaries in time, as they went through the same ordeal during the Easter Holidays. The players, some of whom said they were being paid as little as US$200 a month, threatened to leave the club if the executive continued with its unprofessional approach to resolving their issues. Mxolisi Ncube
Mugabe junior takes spotlight
HARARE – President Robert Mugabe’s son, Robert Mugabe Jr, will be in the
spotlight next week when Zimbabwe takes part in the Under-18 Zone XI basketball championships set for Harare on May 30.
Mugabe Jr is part of a 15-man squad which is currently in camp preparing for the basketball championships. The competition was initially scheduled to be held at the start of May but was postponed after regional participants failed to meet the May
2 confirmation deadline.
Robert Junior is touted as one of the brightest young talents in basketball to emerge from the country. His selection into the national team has not been without controversy with some critics saying his inclusion was merely a publicity stunt by
the government aimed at improving the state of the sport in the country.
The Basketball Union of Zimbabwe (BUZ) has, however, defended the decision, insisting his inclusion wasbased solely on merit. – Sports Reporter
Kupera leads the score
HARARE – Unheralded Motor Action striker, William Kupera, is leading the
Zimbabwe goal scorer’s chart after he scored his fourth goal in six matches when his team drew 1-1 with fellow Premier Soccer League side Kiglon on Sunday.
Kupera scored the opening goal for Motor Action before Martin Vengesai equalised to dampen the Mighty Bulls’ spirits. The goal by Kupera means that he is now joint top goal scorer with Gunners hit man, Norman Maroto.
My aim is to finish top goal scorer if I am still around,” Kupera told ***The Zimbabwean at the weekend. “I hope to continue with this kind of form.”
Kupera, one of the rising stars at the Mighty Bulls, has also been linked to a move to South African Premiership side Bidvest Wits University. He went for trials with the South African club two weeks ago and returned last week amid reports that he has impressed the South African club. – Sports Reporter
From the terraces
Dynamos
You are the Champions in Africa and at home this year. Its a matter of time before we prove it to the world. Dhile Dhile. Henry Hamadziripi, Kwekwe.
DeMbare lets be serious, we really need Malajila please. Lets act like we need him, mini league stage is serious business and we cant rely on Gwekwerere alone, after all he is not very consistent. Terrence Gwatidzo, Budiriro.
Blah Chuchu you have showed everyone that you are one of the best coaches on the land by taking DeMbare into the mini league stage, no one can doubt you now except fools who hate anything that comes in blue and white. Blessing, Mutare.
Caps United
KepeKepe bhora!! Despite the absence of some of our stars who are going to S.A in a months time, this year will be ours. We will win the local league and the continental championship and wipe all silverware there shall be on offer. Godfrey Rukuvhu, Zaka.
Lodza keep the ball rolling. We want to keep winning and show DeMbare that they were just lucky when they beat us in the first leg. Green is for life, so shall be Caps United. Joseph Mandiwanza, Chitungwiza.
Viva KepeKepe!!I will stand by your side till death do us part. Tendai Mapuranga, Gweru.
Warriors
Mhofus departure must not be used as a stupid reason for the Warriors losses in future we have all the time to prepare for the 2012 Afcon Cup. Zifa needs to act now that start running around when there will be no more time. Alex, Johannesburg.
Mapeza is the right man for the job, he will do well with the Warriors please trust him. Age is nothing but a number he is capable of doing wonders for Zimbabwe. Darlington Mabasa, Kwekwe.
FIFA World Cup
Can Zifa please give our national team the privilege of watching one or two matches of the World Cup live in South Africa so that they get inspired and learn what real football is like. They cant know how to prepare for the World Cup when they dont know how serious the level of competition there is. The next World Cup to come to Africa will probably come in the next 20 or more years and when it comes it will probably be staged in West Africa or anywhere up there so lets use the opportunity of our close neighbours having to host such a world class competition.-Rodney Ndebele, Bulawayo.
Minter grabs her second in ladies golf
PIC ZLGU president, Jessie Nyakatawa, on the green.
BULAWAYO – Claire Minter blasted her way to her second trophy on the Zimbabwe Ladies Golf Union (ZLGU) circuit when she coasted to a 10-stroke victory in the Manicaland Stroke play tournament held at Hillside Golf Club, last weekend.
The absence of two-time champion, Rumbi Masamvu, saw Minter being the clear favourite for the championship, which she proved posting an opening round 80 before closing with an 81 combined, total of 161. This earned her second silverware in what is turning out to be a glorious year having already bagged the Mashonaland West Stroke play, early this year.
Minter has also been runner-up in the other two big ZLGU tournaments this year, the Mashonaland West Stroke play and the ZLGU Open.
ZLGU president, Jessie Nyakatawa, finally emerged from what has been an uncharacteristic slumber, clinching the runner-up slot on 171 after posting scores of 83 and 88. Shelly Preston was just two-shots behind in third place on 173 after rounds of 85 and 88. Incidentally Minter, who was playing off 4, had the best net score in the Championship Division with 153.
In the A Division, Chapman Lady Captain, Jean McKenzie was the winner on 181 after rounds of 87 and 94. Bridgette Holland was the runner-up, three strokes behind on 184 following rounds of 91 and 93.
The tightly contested B Division title went to Sandy Francis who had scores of 100 and 104 for a 204 total, just one stroke better than Kuksy Lalla who shot 106 and 99 to settle for second position on 205. Sports reporter