Perennial party spoilers at it again

By Givemore Nyakuba

Fc platinum      (1)     (1)

Caps united      (1)      (1)

Caps united destroyed Fc Platinum hopes of clinching the league title after they held them to a  one all draw at Mandava stadium on Saturday the draw saw Chicken inn being crowned champions.

Perennial party spoilers as they are referred to they have done it again by having a say in the decision of champions as they had often done so in the past playing the part of Dynamos but this but time it is fort chicken inn.

Caps united drew the first blood in the 7^th minute when Dominic Chungwa cashed inn from a defensive lapse when goalkeeper Francis Tizayi failed to handle a cross from the right and Chungwa took advantage of it and pushed the ball into the back of the net.

Five minutes later the home side gave their response when the Zambian striker Obrey Chirwa was brought down in the penalty box and Brian Muzondiwa took responsibility of the penalty sending caps united goalkeeper Jorum Muchambo the wrong way.

Fc Platinum continue pilling pressure on caps united after they had drawn level however makepepe stood their ground. They came close to score in the 23^rd minute when Muchambo spilled a Chirwa effort from outside the box.

In the 26^th minute Joel Ngodzo nearly put the visitors in front again when he shoved two defenders but unfortunately his effort went slightly over the bar.

The teams went into the half time break still in a one all draw and the second half belonged to Fc Platinum who were launching an attack after another they were nearly rewarded for their effort in the 56^th minute when Tatenda DZumbunu effort was saved by Muchambo from a Marshal Mudehwe cross and a minute later Mudehwe’s effort went slightly over the cross bar.

In the 60^th minute Chirwa had himself to blame after he skied his effort when had already drew the keeper out of his line after being set up by Dzumbunu.

In the 68^th minute veteran striker Joel Ngodzo had his effort saved by Tizayi and a minute later Stephen Makatuka was red carded for a second bookable offense.

In the 79 minute Elvis Moyo heat the back of the nets with a cross from Mudehwe but the referee denied the platinum minors the goal saying the ball had gone out before Mudehwe Crossed and Allan Gahadziwa could had grabbed the much needed victory for the minors in the 90^th minute when his effort heat the upright and went out with goalkeeper Muchambo beaten all systems out.

Fc Platinum coach Norman Mapeza praised is boys although they failed to reach the Promised Land saying they had come a long way and he was disappointed by the attitude of Caps united players in the last five minutes of the game.

“we wanted to push for a positive result but at the end of the day that’s the nature of the game, lm proud of my boys we worked hard this season we just need to go and get a positive result against Dongo sawmill thus the most important thing and lm not disappointed at all” said Mapeza.

“in the last five minutes the caps united guys were just seating down is this football at the end of the day nowhere is the fair play?. Congratulations to Joel Antipas” said Mapeza.

His opposite number Lloyd Chitembwe said as a professional team they had to play their normal game and they also needed the points.

“We are not here to do favors to anyone but we are here to do favors for ourselves it was not by choice, we are professionals we had to do our job and we also needed the points as badly as they needed them. We didn’t play our normal game after the expulsion of Makatuka they were much quicker in decision making and the movement was excellent and I am happy with the attitude” Said Chitembwe.

I am very much worried with the so called small teams: Pasuwa
By Givemore Nyakuba

Pasuwa and nyax @ Mandava stadium

National team head coach Calisto pasuwa said he is worried about the small teams in the Zimbabwe premier soccer league.
Speaking after the Fc Platinum Harare city match played at Mandava stadium on Saturday the former Dynamos gaffer said the perceived small teams are becoming a major threat to the big teams namely Dynamos, Caps united and Highlanders.
He also added that the Championship is going to be decided on the last two games or the last matches of the season.
“l am very much worried with this so called small teams as they are gunning for the championship. The championship we will be decided in the last two games” said Pasuwa.
He also went on to say that any of the two teams can take the championship that is Fc Platinum and Chicken inn, after chicken inn drew 1 all with relegated Wha Wha at Ascot stadium on Saturday Fc Platinum registered a 2nil victory over Harare city thereby putting the championship race wide open as they are now trailing the log leaders with two points.
He also went further saying that people didn’t take Fc Platinum and Chicken inn as championship material as they always anticipate that the big teams will raise to the occasion.
“any of the two teams can take the championship, if you talk of the two teams people wouldn’t take them as championship material but now they are winning and football is improving very much” said Pasuwa.
The national team coach also cited the improvement of the game to the professional administration by clubs as he cited Wha Wha as an example saying they are already out of the league and they are still taking points away from other teams who are fighting for the tittle and those who are still fighting relegation.
“Wha Wha are relegated already I you play against them they are taking points this shows the shows the professional side of teams and good administration.

PLatinum edge closer to tittle

Platinum edge closer to title
By Givemore Nyakuba
Fc Platinum       (0)     (2)
Harare City         (0)    (0)
Fc Platinum kept their hopes of clinching the league title for the first time in history alive after dismissing Harare city 2nil at Mandava Stadium on Saturday.
The win by Fc Platinum saw them cutting the point’s deficit to two after the log leaders had played a nil all draw with Wha Wha earlier during the day.
Harare city had themselves to blame for the loss after they failed to take the chances that came their way in the first half as they were the ones who had better chances of winning the game  in the first half however their strikers let them down on numerous occasions.
Right from the first whistle Harare city made their presents known through numerous attacks on the Fc Platinum defence but however they could not be penetrated.
Fc platinum could have taken the lead in the 5th minute when Emmanuel Mandiranga blasted his effort over the bar after a he was setup by Gerald Takwara andin the 27th minute he missed the target with inches when he received the ball from an Elvis Moyo corner kick.
In the 40th minute the platinum miners came close to take the lead when Obrey Chirwa was fouled on the edge of the box but however Tatenda Dzumbunu who took responsibility on the freekick blasted his effort over the bar and the teams went into the break still goalless.
The second half resumed with the Platinum miners more determined to collect all the maximum points.
Nigel Papius replaced Mandivanga in the 49th minute and in the 55th minute he handed the team the much needed goal when he beat Tafadzwa Dube all sytems out who was in goals for the sunshine boys, He received a pass from the right when Tatenda Mudehwe spotted his run and he made no mistake by unleashed a shot that was unstoppable into the right corner of Dube’s post.
The sunshine boys head coach was forced to have an injury inspired substitution when he pulled out Francisco Zvekumbavire for Osborne Mukumbadare.
Tatenda Mudehwe put the final nail on the coffin in the 66th minute when he was released by Obrey Chirwa and he dribbled past Anold Chiveya before he pulled a powerful shot which found its way past the veteran goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube.
However a minute later Tatenda Chawapihwa could have pulled one back for the visitors when his effort from the free kick just outside the box missed the target by inches.
The last 20minutes of the second half saw the kugona kunenge kudada boys dominating the play.
Harare city head coach Taurai Mangwiro had his defenders and strikers to blame as they give away to soft goals and failed to take away chances that came their way in the first half respectively.
“it was a game in which l think we could have salvaged something we were our worst enemies where we needed to stick to the basics of defending we committed an elementary mistake and that’s the punishment, the second goal was a giveaway goal Tafadzwa should have had his near post covered such is football if a goalkeeper makes a mistake there is no one to cover up for him, we will see what happens in the remaining 3 games” said Mangwiro.
His opposite number Norman Mapeza said it was a huge win for them saying the poor display in the first half was due to the fact that the players had hear the result of the chicken inn Wha Wha game which was played earlier before their game.
“It is a massive result for us, we still have 9points to play for and we have to win the remaining games and see what happens at the end of the season, we didn’t do well in the first half pressure was mounting after the guys heard the result of the chicken inn Wha Wha game but l talked to them at half time that’s why they came back relaxed in the second half and playing their usual game” said Mapeza.
The result means that the championship race is still wide open between Fc Platinum and Chicken in as they are now separated with only 2points with three games to the end of the season.

I WILL BE BACK SOON: MASOMERE

By Givemore Nyakuba

Former How mine coach Luke Masomere said he will be back soon coaching a premiership side although he refused to mention the side he is intending to join speculation is high that he is going to join any of the teams fighting relegation as he is considered to be a master in making teams survive from the chop.

The former How mine coach confirmed that it is true that he is going to be back as a coach very soon as he said he has already met the executive of the team and agreed on terms and set their goals and objectives asked whether it’s a premiership team or from the division one Masomere said obvious it’s going to be a team in the top flight league.

“I’m intending to join a team that is ambitious that have some objectives and lm going to join the team soon and its obvious lm going to join a premiership side” said Masomere.

He promised his fans a good spell at the unknown team he is going to join saying the doctor will be back and produce good results as he has often done so in the past.

“Very soon the Doctor himself will  be attached to another team and the doctor will always perform to the best of his ability he has never been a failure he does his things in a professional manner.

Masomere who resigned from coaching How mine when he was defeated by Fc Platinum in  a league match  a few weeks ago he had a string of poor results said he resigned on his own not that he was forced to resign as quoted in some sections of the media.

“I resigned looking at the situation which was there it was no longer good for football so l thought it was wise for me to step down than to continue hanging whilst the results are not coming” said  Masomere.

Commenting on his relationship with the executive Masomere said it wasn’t that bad neither it was good for the beautiful game of football because of the performance of the team the two parties were having in house problem which he refused to mention sticking to the point that it was rather not a good or bad relationship between the two parties involved hence this prompted him to step down so that maybe if the team brings in new blood it might improve its results and manage to survive from relegation come the end of season.

“it wasn’t that bad but it wasn’t that good for football, I can’t say negative things lm experienced l have met worse things than that in my coaching career” said Masomere

When the season started Masomere was said to have one of the best team in the premiership but he refused saying he had an average team alluding to the fact that names don’t play football and some couldn’t believe his words saying he was trying to play mind games now the results shows that he was somehow saying the truth, he said names don’t play football but it’s how much effort you put that brings results at the end of the day.

“people used to say l have the best team and quality players what l can say is l had a moderate team it wasn’t the best l even said it when the season was starting people thought l was joking they were looking at the names, but in reality names don’t play football and that was the case with my team. Said Masomere.

Asked on who he would he like to take over as the Zifa president Masomere said he prefer a former player who has played at a top level as he would have high level of understanding the game and could take Zimbabwe to a another level as he sighted that our football has been moving backwards as the warriors were banned from world cup qualifications since they failed to pay former coach Valinhos his dues and this prompted the football governing board Fifa to impose a ban the warriors.

“I would prefer a former player with high level of understanding, l would want our game to move forward our game have been moving backwards because of the leadership. Look what happened when we were banned from competing in world cup. Said Masomere.

He also gave an example of the governance of football in Zambia as a good way which helps improve the game of football in a country as Zambia football under the Leadership of Kalusha Bwala managed to clinch the Africa cup of nation’s trophy (AFCON) for the first time in Gabon.

“Look what is happening in Zambia where there is Kalusha” said Masomere.

DYNAMOS IN CHIBUKU FINAL

Dyanamos in Chibuku final

 By Givemore Nyakuba

Dynamos sailed through to the Chibuku finals after defeating Chapungu 1 nil on Sunday at Mandava stadium and they are set to play against Harare city who hammered ZPC Karibha 4-1 at the same venue on Saturday.

 Dynamos who came into the game with all guns blazing showing their desire to win, forced Chapungu goalkeeper Roy Mazingi   into action early in the first minute when he saved a drive from Takesure who had nicely interchanged passes with Rodreck  Mutuma and Ronald Chitiyo, Dynamos were awarded the first corner kick of the game but they failed to utilize their chance.

In the 4^th minute Dynamos were at it again when midfield maestro Ronald (rooney)  Chitiyo spotted Takesure  chinyama’s run and managed to give him the ball.  However Chinyama elected not to go it alone and he gave a drawback to Mutuma who skied his effort with the goal at his mercy.

Both teams had chances coming their way but failed to utilize them. With Dynamos relying on their midfield maestro Chitiyo,  Chapungu were relying on their seasoned player Phillip Marufu.

In the 22^nd minute Blessing Moyo was yellow carded for slapping Chapungu veteran striker Phillip Marufu, However some sections of the funs felt red was appropriate for the incident.

The match resumed and Chapungu where making their presents felt and showing their determination to walk away with something from the game. Dynamos goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva was forced into action several times denying Chapungu the much needed goal.

13 minutes before the half time it was action from one end to the other end of the pitch with both teams looking to take the lead before the break but it was not to be and the teams went into the break level packed at nil all.

When the second half resumed Dynamos where all over Chapungu trying to unsettle the air force side and take the lead launching one attack after another and their efforts were rewarded in the 53^rd minute when they were awarded a corner kick Chinyama’s effort was served by Chapungu goal minder probably the busiest between the two and Rodreck (the prince) Mutuma cashed in from a goal mouth melee and send the Dynamos supporters into frenzy.

In the 65^th minute Dynamos coach decided to change the fire power in a bid to kill the match he pulled out chinyama who seemed to be having a bad day in the office and brought in Richard Kawondera his opposite number Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino shuffled the cards by bringing in Patrick Khumbula in the 67^th minute taking out Ncube  Nhlanhla and also remove Marufu for Xolani  Ncube in the 75^th minute trying to search for an equalizer.

Mutuma nearly grabbed a brace in the 73^rd minute when he ran past through two defenders from Chapungu and unleashed a short that was unstoppable, chapungu have Charles Mativenga to thank for getting the off the hook and clearing Mutuma’s solo effort to safety on the line.

In the last 12 minutes of the game Chapungu were pilling more pressure on Dynamos hoping to get an equalizer   as  Dynamos goalkeeper Mukuruva was forced into action again when he tipped Hillary  Mugonewa’s well taken corner kick from the right flank over the bar. The corner kick nearly went inn without a touch but the goal minder who was on top of his game made a wonderful save to deny Chapungu the much needed equalizer.

Dynamos were now content with the lead and were defending in numbers with their goalkeeper showing top class serves they managed to grab a win at Mandava and booked a place in the finals off the chibuku finals were they are going to lock horns with stubborn Harare city at a date and place to be announced by the sponsors.

Dynamos head Coach Tonderai Ndiraya was a happy man after the win and gave credit to his charges for the performance, he also went on to urge Dembare supporters to continue supporting him. He also hinted on a league and cup double saying he is hoping log leaders Chicken would drop points during the way and he can capitalize on that.

“We came here with one thing in our mind that is going through into the finals and lm glad that we are in the finals now, l would also like to thank our supporters for the support l would like to urge them to continue supporting us and lm hopeful l will get a double” said Ndiraya. 

Chapungu head coach John Nyikadzino said he was happy with the way his charges played, he also said he was shifting his focus to the league said as an underrated team his charges played very well although they conceded a goal he felt was a soft goal. 

“The Dynamos defense was resolute over ally the game was evenly balanced we went to slip in the second half we failed to clear that corner kick and it resulted in a goal football is a game of numbers we failed to score lm happy with our performance but lm disappointed with the way we allowed that goal we are an underrated team lm happy with the progress we made in the tournament and we are going to shift our focus to the league now” said Nyikadzino.

Rodreck Mutuma was happy to have helped his team to storm into the finals and promised his fans more crucial goals and attributed everything to team work. He scored the all-important goal at Mandava after he had done so in Bulawayo a week ago when Dynamos defeated Chicken inn in a league match at Barbourfields stadium.

“ I am happy with the way we played l attribute everything to team work lm not going to put personal glory first but lm promising our supporters that lm going to score more goals” said Mutuma

MAPEZA VOTED COACH OF THE MONTH

MAPEZA VOTED COACH OF THE MONTH

By Givemore Nyakuba

Fc Platinum coach Norman Mapeza has been voted coach of the month for the second consecutive time and he said he is thankful to those who voted him and attributed everything to hard work by the whole group.

The month of August saw Mapeza being voted coach of the month for the second time in a raw after he was voted  again in the co-joined month of June and July, with the way his charges are playing chances are high he can return the award for the third consecutive. He has managed to defeat Dynamos, Howmine and managed a nil all draw with Tsholotsho, He is going to play Wha Wha to complete  the joint month of September and October.

Mapeza attributed the award not only to him but the team at large for the hard work they have been putting and also went on to thank other coaches in the premier league for voting him.

“It’s all about hard work and the effort the guys have been putting, it’s not about me it’s about the whole group involving the players assistant coaches and also the coaches in the premier league to vote for me, for the coach of the month l really appreciate” said Mapeza. 

Mapeza who has currently under gone a fifteen match unbeaten streak will be hoping to continue with the good record when he is going to take on Wha Wha at home after a break this weekend for the Chibuku semi finals.

DUBE SHOWN THE EXIT DOOR AS ZIFA PRESIDENT

former Zifa President Cuthbert Dube

The Zifa assembly has overthrew President Cuthbert Dube following an extraordinary meeting held in Harare on Saturday.

Despite only two members of 16 PSL clubs attending the meeting, thirty councilors met and resolved that Dube and two board members Fungai Chihuri and Tavenga Harara be removed from the board.

Dube’s deputy Omega Sibanda is now acting Zifa president and is expected to vote at the Fifa congress later this month.

Following the government’s backtracking to ouster Dube for fear of Fifa sanctions, it was the councilors who finally showed the president the door.

“The Congress unanimously agreed to revoke the mandate of the president with immediate effect as per article 22 subsection (m) of the Zifa constitution. It was resolved that board member Tavengwa Hara should be revoked from the board. Twenty seven members voted in favour, two members were not in favour and one member was indifferent,” read part of the meeting’s resolutions.

“It was resolved that board member Fungai Chihuri should be revoked from the board. Thirty members voted in favour, zero were not in favour and zero were indifferent.”

The council’s decision ended Dube’s five years at the helm of Zifa.

The Zifa board is expected to meet on Tuesday where chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze is likely to be fired.

Saturday’s meeting also resolved that a forensic audit of the association’s finance be conducted “as soon as possible.”

An annual general meeting is expected to be held on 27 June where a full list of Zifa’s creditors would be submitted.