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Zimbabwe born basketball star set to play for Poland

admin — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 07:20:01 +0000

Zimbabwe born basketball star set to play for Poland

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Monday, June 13, 2022

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Zimbabwe born basketball star set to play for Poland

By polsatsport.pl

Zimbabwean basketball player Stephanie Mavunga will be able to make her debut in white and red colors during the international tournament in Athens, which will start on Tuesday, although she is still waiting for Polish citizenship to be granted.

Mavunga, who has been waiting for citizenship since the autumn, was included in the 12-person squad of the Polish team led by Slovakian Maros Kovacik for matches in Athens. The Polish women will face the European champions and the fourth team of the Tokyo Olympics – Serbia and Croatia and the host team.

“Stephanie was not hired in the WNBA because of the salary cup because she is a long-serving player and is guaranteed the right contract if she signs,” said Kovacik, who added that he has known the player well for several years.

He continued; “She has been in the USA all the time since the end of the league, so I called her and asked if she could come to get to know the team and play in the tournament in Athens since there is a consent of the Polish federation and tournament organizers for her participation.”

Born in Harare, Mavunga moved with her family to the USA as a child and there she received her education, including basketball education. In 2018, she was selected in the WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever.

The 27-year-old centre at BC Polkowice, a team coached by Karol Kowalewski, Kovacik’s assistant in the team, averaged 14.6 points and 11.3 rebounds last season, which means that she was the best player of the Energa Basket Women’s League in the latter statistic.

The post Zimbabwe born basketball star set to play for Poland appeared first on NewZimbabwe.com.

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Four uncapped players in Zim squad for Bangladesh Test

admin — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 07:30:01 +0000

Four uncapped players in Zim squad for Bangladesh Test

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admin Thu, 07/22/2021 - 07:30

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

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The Zimbabwe Independent

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Four uncapped players in Zim squad for Bangladesh Test

Chivanga Tanaka, Joylord Gumbie, Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Dion Myers are the four uncapped players named in the Zimbabwe squad for the one-off Test against Bangladesh, which is set to start from July 7. Tanaka and Myers have played five first-class matches while both Gumbie (44) and Kaitano (21) carry more first-class experience. Sean Williams will […]

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Triathlon Zim shifts focus to Paris

admin — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 07:30:01 +0000

Triathlon Zim shifts focus to Paris

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Wednesday, July 14, 2021

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Triathlon Zim shifts focus to Paris

BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE Triathlon Zimbabwe has revealed that the Troutbeck Bonaqua Triathlon Africa Cup, traditionally held in February and was this year moved to September due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will mark the beginning of preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Zimbabwe will not have a representative for the triathlon at the Olympics for the […]

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Arteta Rates Man City Best Team in Europe

admin — Sat, 20 Feb 2021 11:40:01 +0000

Arteta Rates Man City Best Team in Europe

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Saturday, February 20, 2021

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Arteta Rates Man City Best Team in Europe

Ahead of Manchester City’s visit to the Emirate tomorrow, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta believes the Premier League leaders are the best team in Europe.

City took their lead to 10 points with a midweek win over Everton, face Spurs in the Carabao Cup final and remain in FA Cup and Champions League contention.

Arteta’s team host City on Sunday and the Spaniard described the task as a “big but very exciting challenge”.

“The football they are playing and consistency of results, take all that in and it makes them the best team.”

City have lost only twice in their opening 24 matches during the current campaign – to Leicester in September and Tottenham in November. Pep Guardiola’s team have conceded only 15 goals and Arteta said: “They have weaknesses like every team but at the moment teams have struggled a lot to find any of that because I think first of all defensively they have been really, really strong.

“I think they are the best team in Europe at the moment.”

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Balogun Impresses at Right Back in Europa League for Rangers

admin — Sat, 20 Feb 2021 11:40:01 +0000

Balogun Impresses at Right Back in Europa League for Rangers

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Saturday, February 20, 2021

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Balogun Impresses at Right Back in Europa League for Rangers

Super Eagles center back impressed in a right-back role as Rangers won in a seven -goal thriller in the Europa League round of 32 clash against Royal Antwerp at Bosuilstadion on Thursday night.

With 24 minutes played, the Nigeria international came off the bench to replace Rangers skipper James Tavernier, who was not able to continue due to an injury.

The right-back position is not entirely new to Balogun as he has played in that role for the national team, Mainz and Brighton & Hove.

In fact, he made his debut for the Super Eagles as a right-back when he replaced Efe Ambrose in the second half of a pre-World Cup friendly against Mexico in March 2014.

“I was back to an old role and I was happy I can still play it,” Balogun said at yesterday’s press conference.

“I think the last time I started at right-back was against Sheffield Wednesday with Brighton. But in terms of high-profile games it was probably against Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.”

The right-back role is a very demanding position and Balogun reckons that it will be difficult to step into the shoes of Tavernier, who is doubtful for Sunday’s league match against Dundee United.

“I can’t replace Tavernier. He’s a beast. We’re different types of players and I’m a centre half. I’ll try to match as best as possible and put my style into it. It wasn’t easy but I don’t want to sell the side short when it comes to attacking.

“I try to fill in the best I can but you can’t replace an attacking full-back like Tav. His high intensity running is something I’m not used to – maybe at one point I was.

I might need to get used to it as well but Tav would run up and down that line for 180 minutes if needed,” Balogun added.

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Ameobi’s Strike Nominated for Championship Goal of the Month

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Ameobi’s Strike Nominated for Championship Goal of the Month

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Saturday, February 20, 2021

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Ameobi’s Strike Nominated for Championship Goal of the Month

Former Nigeria U20 international Sammy Ameobi has been shortlisted for the Sky Bet Championship Goal of the Month for January.

The Nottingham Forest star’s goal has been nominated for the monthly accolade alongside efforts from Swansea City’s Matt Grimes (vs Rotherham United) and Reading’s John Swift (vs Coventry City). After 16 league games without a goal, the Newcastle United academy product notched a brace to help Forest secure a 3-1 win against Millwall on January 16 and his second goal in that game has been nominated.

With 20 minutes left to play, Ameobi exchanged passes with Alex Mighten on the edge of the box and curled a sparkling effort into the far corner after a fine counterattacking move.

Voting is open as of midday yesterday, and the winner of the Sky Bet EFL Championship Goal of the Month is chosen by a fan poll on the official Sky Bet Championship Twitter Account

As at the time of filing this report, Ameobi was leading the poll with 44.7 percent of the votes followed by John Swift (28.4%) and Grimes (26.9%).

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Man City Distance Selves from Messi’s Move

admin — Sat, 20 Feb 2021 11:40:01 +0000

Man City Distance Selves from Messi’s Move

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Saturday, February 20, 2021

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Man City Distance Selves from Messi’s Move

Manchester City are distancing themselves from links with a move for Barcelona forward Lionel Messi.

The Argentina forward is out of contract in the summer.

The likelihood of another Champions League exit for Barcelona has fuelled speculation he could quit the Nou Camp.

Uncertainty remains due to the ongoing presidential elections at Barca, with all candidates saying they are determined to keep the 33-year-old. Messi has won six Ballon D’Or trophies in a stellar career that has seen him generally accepted as one of the finest players ever. City have long been touted as an alternative, partly due to the link with former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola, although Paris St-Germain are also thought to be interested.

It has been reported City have tabled a revised offer for Messi but BBC Sport has been told by a club source this is not true – and that no offers have been made, either in the summer, or since and there are currently no talks.

Messi had looked set to join City after putting in a transfer request in August, only for Barcelona’s then-president Josep Maria Bartomeu to block the move before resigning in October.

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Leicester Coach Condemns Ndidi, Iheanacho’s Yellow Cards

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Leicester Coach Condemns Ndidi, Iheanacho’s Yellow Cards

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Leicester Coach Condemns Ndidi, Iheanacho’s Yellow Cards

Leicester City coach Brendan Rodgers has insisted that Super Eagles duo Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho were unfairly booked during his side’s goalless draw with Peter Olayinka’s Slavia Prague in a Europa League round of 32 tie on Thursday evening.

While Ndidi was shown a yellow card for a foul in the 46th minute, Iheanacho was cautioned shortly after coming off the bench in the 64th minute.

The Foxes number 14 has now collected three yellow cards, against Sporting Braga, Zorya Lugansk and Slavia Prague, and is suspended for the return leg at the King Power Stadium next week.

Rodgers criticized the match officials for their performance, adding that Iheanacho and Ndidi did not deserve to be booked for their actions.

“I thought the officials were really poor, I’ve got to say. I don’t comment so much on them because I know it’s a very difficult job,” Rodgers told reportes.

“But some of the decisions… I think we had Wilf booked and Kelechi for the use of the elbow and it was clear it wasn’t. They were challenging for the ball, especially Wilf”.

Up next Leicester City travel to Aston Villa for a Premier League game before Slavia visit the East Midlands for the return leg of the Europa League.

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Pocock backs Sables World Cup 2023 bid

admin — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 11:30:01 +0000

Pocock backs Sables World Cup 2023 bid

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Friday, February 19, 2021

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The Zimbabwe Independent

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Pocock backs Sables World Cup 2023 bid

DANIEL NHAKANISO

FORMER Australian rugby captain, David Pocock has donated a signed Wallabies shirt to Zimbabwe Rugby’s fundraising initiatives for the country’s senior national rugby team’s bid to qualify for the 2023 Rugby World Cup to be held in France.

The 32-year-old Zimbabwe-born rugby legend, who retired from professional rugby last October after a glittering 15 year career, is widely regarded as one of the country’s finest rugby exports of his generation.

Two months ago, Pocock along with compatriot Tendai Mtawarira, who enjoyed a similarly successful career with neighbouring South Africa were named in World Rugby’s Team of the Decade, by the game’s global rugby governing body in recognition of their contribution to the sport for the period 2010 to 2019.

Pocock recently expressed his willingness to support his country of birth’s quest to qualify for their first Rugby World Cup since 1991 and accepted an ambassadorial role for the team along with Zimbabwe-born former Springboks, Adrian Garvey, Mtawarira and Tonderai Chavhanga as well as ex-England player Don Armand.

The rugby icon, born and initially raised in the Zimbabwean Midlands capital Gweru, handed over one of his prized autographed Australia rugby team shirts to one of Zimbabwe’s senior players, Hilton Mudariki on Tuesday.

The shirt and other rugby memorabilia items will be auctioned on the online fundraising platform sablesrugbynetwork.com in an effort to raise funds for the Sables who have set sights on qualifying for the next World Cup.

An elated Mudariki, who captained the Sables when they last played international rugby in 2019 announced Pocock’s gesture on his social media platforms.

“Honoured to have met former @wallabies captain and now @zimbabwesables ambassador @davidpocock. David has kindly donated his jersey which will be auctioned. For more info kindly go onto: https://sablesrugbynetwork.com,” Mudariki said on his social media accounts.

The Sables technical team last year launched the Sables Rugby Network, an interactive online platform meant to attract all Sables supporters around the world to sign up, support and be updated with Sables news as the team continues to build up for the World Cup qualifiers.

In addition to getting deeper insights into on-and-off field developments within the Sables camp, the fans around the world can also use the platform to take part in an auction and raffle meant to raise funds for the Sables Trust.

The Sables Trust, which was launched three years ago, is a welfare body set up to help Zimbabwe’s national side qualify for its first World Cup since 1991.

The trust has over the last three years played a key role in identifying and securing top-class Zimbabwean players scattered across the globe, availing elite training programmes, sourcing sponsorship, warm-up matches, and strengthening ties with South Africa, amongst others.

Pocock’s rugby shirt is among several items which will be up for grabs during the online auction which will run until April 15 together with a signed copy of Mtawarira’s autobiography and signed rugby shirts for former England centre Brad Barritt and Armand’s signed Exeter Chiefs shirt.

The former Australian captain, who has maintained a strong connection with Zimbabwe last year said he was encouraged by the strides made in developing the game in the country which he believes could inspire a return to the upper echelons of the game.

“I have been in touch with some of the coaches involved with Zimbabwe rugby and they are doing the same thing, trying to really get their structures in place to be able to hold talent,” Pocock said in an interview with rugbyworldcup.com during the previous World Cup in Japan.

“Sure you are going to lose your best overseas, but in an ideal world, they will be playing overseas and then coming back for international duties.

“What you see a lot of in the world is players going overseas at a young age and then representing another country, which for smaller teams obviously hurts a little.”

Pocock is one of the many most high-profile Zimbabwean players to have pursued an elite-level rugby career elsewhere.

The former Midlands Christian School pupil was just 12 years old when he and his family were forced to flee the country after their farm was seized during the chaotic land reform programme at the turn of the millennium.

After migrating to Brisbane, Australia the young Pocock rose through the ranks on his way to becoming one of the greatest Wallabies of all time.

The open-side specialist is part of a very long list of Zimbabwe-born players to shine in other colours on the world stage.

Some of the names that quickly come to mind include the record breaking legendary Springbok prop Tendai “Beast” Mtawatira, ex-Springbok captain Bobby Skinstad, former USA star winger Takudzwa Ngwenya, the England-based quartet of Marco Mama, Mike Williams, Don Armand and Dave Ewers just to mention a few.

Marondera-born Sebastian Negri was also part of the Italy side at the previous World Cup in Japan.

The post Pocock backs Sables World Cup 2023 bid appeared first on The Zimbabwe Independent.

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Harare not your home

admin — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 11:30:01 +0000

Harare not your home

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admin Fri, 02/19/2021 - 11:30

Friday, February 19, 2021

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The Zimbabwe Independent

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Harare not your home

BY MIKE MADODA

AS Zimbabwe champions FC Platinum prepare to take on Senegalese outfit ASC Jaraaf in the second-leg of their CAF Confederations Cup tie in Dakar, they do so on the back foot having lost the first-leg in Harare. The Zvishavane side who have been flying the flag for Zimbabwe on the continent over the last couple of seasons, are playing in the Confederations Cup after they were elbowed out of the Champions League by Tanzanian side Simba, who played dirty both on and off the field to put paid to any designs FC Platinum had of a third appearance in the group stage of the prestigious competition.

Norman Mapeza’s side appeared destined for progress after defeating the visitors 1-0 at the National Sports Stadium. That they failed to score more than just the one goal, was a result of their own profligacy in front of goal, rather than the tenacity of the opponent.

Perfect Chikwende who swapped sides after the tie, scored on the day, but also failed to take a relatively easy chance later on that could have changed the dynamics of the second leg and seen FC Platinum visiting Dar es Salaam in a position of considerable strength.

Now, if there is one place where home advantage counts, it is Africa. Simba’s decisive second leg victory showed us that. The Tanzanian money bags used every resource at their disposal to turn the tie. From the more rudimentary intimidation tactics to the more sophisticated methods that saw the weaponisation of Covid-19 test results, they controlled their home environment for good and for bad. And judging by how the Zimbabwean champions lost their heads in the heat of battle, it is fair to say, the game was lost even before the first controversial call on that forgettable afternoon.

It takes more than just a good squad and brilliant tactics to conquer the continent. Zimbabwe football’s most successful team in CAF competitions is Dynamos who reached the 1998 Champions League final, to cap a campaign that has lived long in the memory of those who witnessed it. The epic campaign that began with victory over Malawi’s Telecom Wanderers, took the Glamour Boys past Mozambique’s Ferroviario, Eagle Cement of Nigeria, Tunisian giants Etoile du Sahel and Ghana’s Hearts of Oak, to a two-legged final with Cote d’Ivoire’s ASEC Mimosas, then in their pomp. Just 90 minutes from what would have been a remarkable triumph, the Sunday Chidzambwa coached side lost 4-2 in Abidjan after playing out a goalless draw in the first-leg in Harare.

Chidzambwa’s tactical masterpieces were well complimented by heroic performances from the likes of Memory Mucherahohwa, George Mandizvidza, Kaitano Tembo and Makwinji Soma-Phiri. But many believe that even that might not have been enough, were it not for the Dynamos faithful that turned Harare blue and white, transforming the National Sports Stadium into a near-impregnable fortress. Packed to the rafters with a vociferous, often boisterous crowd, it was a place where even the best on the continent came and succumbed.

It has been 22 years since those heady days and the closest this generation of football fans has ever come to experience anything quite as electric, was the visit of Orlando Pirates to play FC Platinum. The Soweto giants brought Bulawayo to a standstill as arguably the biggest crowd seen at Barbourfields since the turn of the century, turned Emagumeni into a carnival atmosphere. It was the only ticket in town, but tragically, the wrong town. What should have been Zvishavane’s party, Mandava’s crowning moment, was happening 180 km away — far from home.

And what should have been an uncomfortable afternoon for Pirates looked more like a homecoming for the Buccaneers as the few FC Platinum fans that had made the great trek into Bulawayo were crammed into the away end — the rest of the stadium, a sea of black and white.

Twenty-four months down the line and the Zimbabwe champions continue to play their CAF home matches away from Mandava after it was declared unfit to host matches at that level.

After four campaigns on the continent, the stadium’s deficiencies have not been addressed and it seems the champions are no closer to playing at home than they were when they won their first championship. The only difference for FC Platinum, has been a change of venue to Harare’s National Sports Stadium after Barbourfields fell foul of CAF’s dreaded inspectors.

That there seems no solution in sight, is a damning indictment on the most glamorous institution in Zimbabwean football. Perhaps the comfort of rented lodgings has lulled FC Platinum into a false sense of security and blinded them to the obvious benefits that come with playing at home: the spur given by a full stadium of your own fans; the difference familiarity would make to the psyche and confidence of their players; being in control of the environment — something of critical importance, as Simba showed them in Dar es Salaam. And let us not forget the town of Zvishavane that would receive an undoubted uplift of its potential football economy, bringing in real returns to the formal and informal sectors.

So, as FC Platinum attempt a comeback at the Stade de Diaraf in Dakar — and many hope it will be successful, the champions need reminding: no matter what joy or perceived comforts the National Sports Stadium may bring, Harare is not your home.

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