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HIGHLANDERS breathed new life into their survival campaign yesterday, edging Bikita Minerals 2-1 at Gibbo in Hendrikus Pieter de Jongh’s first game in charge.

The Dutchman, who led Bosso to the 2019 Chibuku Super Cup, watched his side deliver with the kind of discipline and character he promised would define their fight.

Nigerian striker Benjamin Oluwarothim announced himself with a coolly taken penalty on debut, be-fore Reason Sibanda added a second just before half-time.

Bikita’s Royn Nyamono struck late, but Highlanders held firm.

The victory pushed Bosso to ninth place on 32 points, just above the relegation logjam, where a single result can swing fortunes.

Bikita Minerals, meanwhile, were left to rue missed chances. Without midfielder Spencer Mugariri to steady their play, they struggled to impose their usual possession game.

Forced into hurried long balls, they created openings through Tinaye Tsimba, Tadiwanashe Murasiranwa, and Fitzgerald Banda, but none could finish.

Coach Wilson Mutekede admitted his side had let themselves down.

“We conceded soft goals and missed clear chances. It’s back to the drawing board ahead of TelOne tie,” Mutekede said.

For Highlanders, the win felt like a turning point. “Every game is a final now, but this was a good response from the players,” said De Jongh.

It was also a day when Zimbabwe’s traditional giants finally moved in unison. Dynamos kept their revival alive with a 2-0 win over Green Fuel, closing to within three points of safety on 25. CAPS United stunned FC Platinum 1-0 to climb to 31, joining the cluster of sides desperately trying to hold ground.

With eight matches left, the minimum safety line remains at 40 points. The fight is congested: Triangle, CAPS, Yadah, and Chicken Inn hover on the same bracket, while GreenFuel, Manica Diamonds and Dynamos sit just beneath.

For the Premier Soccer League, the weekend results meant more than just three points. They kept alive the possibility of all three giants surviving the drop.

Fungai Muderere, Zimpapers Sports Hub

FORMER Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions Chicken Inn have mourned the death of their former player Tendai “Fire” Ndoro.

According to his family, Ndoro, a nimble-footed player who was bred in Bulawayo’s Nketa suburb, died in South Africa on Monday evening after a long battle with diabetes.

“Our first import and export. We got him from Nico in Botswana. He came and added fire to our team.

Forever a gamecock. We are deeply saddened by his passing on as Chicken Inn Fc. His light will forever shine in our hearts. Liqhawe Lethu. Rest Easy Fire,” said Chicken Inn spokesperson Nkululeko Nkala.

Ndoro’s passing has left hordes of local football lovers and those in Mzansi disturbed.

His burial arrangements are to be announced.

By Onward Gangata

Kwekwe United 0-3 Dynamos

IT maybe too early to say Dynamos will survive relegation by end of the Castle Lager Premiership season, but everything points to that at the moment.

Their 3-0 win over Kwekwe United yesterday means at 22 points, they are five points away from the team occupying the last safe position Chicken Inn — fifth from bottom.

In two or three more rounds, that could all change.

This is because there is more to how Dynamos now play. There is more than just faith or belief, but visible conviction in the face of mission impossible.

It was there for all to see as their vintage performance reflected a club far from the relegation zone.

Goals from Jairos Kasondo, Wisdom Mutasa and a late Ransom Chingwara volley were enough to stretch DeMbare’s winning streak to four in all competitions.

The Harare giants never put a foot wrong with a flawless performance as they won their second match on the trot for the first time this season.

For the record, it was also the first time they have scored three goals in one match.

The three goals scored yesterday in one match are 30 percent of goals scored in 25 matches, summarises how poor the Glamour Boys have been this season.

Zambian gaffer Kelvin Kaindu admits his charges have their confidence back.

“It’s giving us a lot of confidence and belief winning four matches in a row but there is a lot of work still to do if you look at how Kwekwe tried to come back in the second half,” said Kaindu.

“It is all about the belief, and the response from the players has been good, especially during this period we won four matches, it shows the bond with the players is getting strong,” he added.

For the first time in a long time, DeMbare supporters were given a real treat by the former league champions.

Forget that it was Kwekwe United, the basement side and arguably the worst team in the league, the Harare giants showed that they are ready to fight, a fight of honour, to save the badge.

DeMbare got the match off to a flier surging ahead inside three minutes when Kasondo tapped home a rebound after Kwekwe United goalkeeper, Elton Nechiware spilled Tellmore Pio’s stinging shot.

The goal settled nerves for Dynamos giving them a spring in their step as they began to pass the ball with purpose.

They doubled the lead after 17 minutes through Mutasa from close range.

It could have been three on the half-hour mark when Freddy Hammond thought he had bundled the ball home from a goalmouth melee, but referee Israel Nhepera decided the ball had not crossed the line.

The Ghanaian was having a bad afternoon, as he missed a sitter moments later, blazing his effort over the bar in front of an empty net.

Dynamos goalkeeper Prince Tafiremutsa had little to do in the first half apart from diving to his right to deny Orlando Zvavarevi’s header. Mandivei was however, called into action in the opening minutes of the second half denying Timothy January’s long range effort.

Kwekwe United kept putting pressure looking to reduce the arrears but found the DeMbare rearguard resolute.

The introduction of Denver Mukamba and Enasio Perezo Junior halted Kwekwe United’s resurgence as DeMbare put a foothold in the match.

Mukamba nearly made it three for DeMbare, but his long range effort slightly went wide.

However, there was no denying the Harare side in the last minute when Chingwara stuck from the edge of the box, finishing off a nice passing move involving Pio and Mukamba.

Kwekwe United coach Masimba Dinyero admits it’s now an uphill task for his side to survive the chop.

“We still have eight matches to save ourselves, all we need to do is win all the matches and we will survive but for us now it’s all about marketing the players for next season because most of them are youngsters who still have a lot to prove.”

TEAMS:

Kwekwe United: Elton Nechiware,Proud Gorekore, Genesis Munashe(Timothy January 46’), Takudzwa Chimhowa, Orlando Zvavarevi, Clive Mushori(Jealous Musukutwa 46’),Lennox Chibi, Nigel Nkosimane, Shelton Sibanda, Emmanuel Mutimbanyoka.

Dynamos: Prince Tafiremutsa, Emmanuel Jalai, Abel Gwatidzo, Tendaishe Magwaza, Clive Mandivei, Temptation Chiwungwa (Denver Mukamba 64’), Vusa Ngwenya (Alexander Mandinyenya 78’), Tellmore Pio,Wisdom Mtasa (Enasio Perezo Jnr 64), Jairos Kasondo (Ransom Chingwara 78’), Felix Hammond (Keith Madera 46’)

Innocent Kurira At Barbourfields Stadium

Highlanders 0-2 TelOne

HIGHLANDERS interim coach Try Ncube apologised to the club’s fans following a 2–0 home defeat to TelOne yesterday, a result that added to growing frustrations among the Bosso faithful.

The coach felt they were not giving the fans the performances they deserve.

“Sometimes you feel sorry for the fans,” Ncube said after the final whistle. “They come in their numbers and they don’t deserve what they are getting now.”

Bosso started brightly but were punished early when Tawanda Macheke capitalised on a lapse in concentration to slot past Ariel Sibanda in the ninth minute.

It was a deserved lead for TelOne, who had already threatened through Washington Navaya just moments earlier.

Despite enjoying more possession, Highlanders struggled in the final third. They created a few chances with Prince Ndlovu firing over the bar and Reason Sibanda seeing an effort cleared off the line. Their decision-making remained poor.

The turning point came with 15 minutes remaining when referee Tichaona Mbire awarded Highlanders a penalty for handball. TelOne protested fiercely, but the decision stood. Captain Ariel Sibanda stepped up, only to see his effort saved by Chris Mverechena, who guessed correctly to preserve his side’s lead.

That miss proved costly.

In stoppage time, former Bosso striker Navaya sealed the win for TelOne, calmly finishing past Sibanda to register his 12th goal of the season and silence the home crowd.

TelOne coach Herbert Maruwa credited tactical changes for the result.

“I’m happy with the way the guys responded having gone two games without a win,” he said. “We did our homework. Highlanders always concede through the centre, so we came with two strikers and switched from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2. It paid off.” Bosso pressed hard in the second half, with Archford Faira creating openings from the left and Mason Mushore trying his luck from a free-kick. But TelOne defended with discipline and kept their shape.

On the hour mark, Navaya attempted a shot from outside the box which went wide.

Bosso got their first real chance at goal in the second half when Reason Sibanda, put through on goal, chipped the ball over Mverechena but an alert TelOne defender cleared the ball before the Highlanders strike could head home.

Moments later, the penalty came.

With five minutes left on the clock, Faira dribbled past the TelOne defence, sent in a brilliant cross from the left which Reason Sibanda failed to connect.

The result leaves Highlanders struggling to find form and direction, while TelOne climbed the table with three crucial points.

Highlanders are on position nine with 29 points while Telone are on position six with 40 points.

Teams:

Highlanders: Ariel Sibanda (gk), Arthur Ndlovu, Melikhaya Ncube, Prince Ndlovu (Panashe Mushonga, 46mins), Tendai Muvuti (Reason Sibanda 46mins), Malvern Hativagoni (Mvelo Khoza, 46mins), Brighton Ncube, Mason Mushore, Never Rauzhi, Archford Faira, Luckmore Mutumbi.

TelOne: Chriss Mverechena (gk), Frank Makarati, Tafadzwa Jaravani, Nkosiyabo Masilela (Panashe Mtasa, 63mins), Kudakwashe Nyakudanga, Pawell Govere, Eriya Mafirenyika, Bruno Mtigo, Tawanda Macheke, Prince Milanzi (Leeroy Murape, 63mins), Washington Navaya.

Eddie Chikamhi

Zimpapers Sports Hub

FROM total obscurity, Genesis Mangombe rose to prominence two years ago when he guided Harare giants Dynamos win their first major silverware in a decade by lifting the Chibuku Super Cup.

Dynamos denied Ngezi Platinum Stars a chance to complete a league and cup double when they edged the Mhondoro miners in the 2023 final at Baobab.

That success in the Chibuku Super Cup also helped end Dynamos’ long absence from continental football as they punched their ticket to the CAF Confederation Cup.

Mangombe, who had previously coached Black Mambas and Yadah, boosted his profile following that feat which ensured Dynamos returned to the African safari for the first time in 10 years, despite their known challenges on and off the pitch.

His curriculum vitae, anchored on the Chibuku Super Cup success, ensured he was not short of big offers after leaving Dynamos as he joined ambitious side Scottland before crossing the borders for a brief stint in the Tanzanian top-flight league.

Now back home at Triangle, the 43-year-old will begin another campaign in the Chibuku Super Cup tomorrow, but with a different club.

Mangombe is now the Triangle head coach, where he has breathed new life in the Lowveld side’s relegation battles.

He inherited a Triangle outfit that was clearly out of sorts under Luke Masomere, which subsequently saw the veteran coach become the first to be fired in the league in the 2025 campaign.

Triangle will start the cup competition from the preliminary round against Kwekwe United because of their poor placing at the time of the draw.

The bottom four teams begin from the preliminary round and winners will join the top 14 teams in the first round this weekend.

Struggling defending champions Dynamos will get the ball rolling against Yadah at Ngoni today while Triangle will get their campaign underway against Premiership newboys Kwekwe United at neutral Mandava tomorrow.

“If you have tasted what it means to be successful in a certain area, you would obviously want to do it again. That’s what I am hoping for,” said Mangombe.

“The good thing is when you have walked a certain road you get familiar with the terrain. What I like about cup games is that the route to success is shorter and less complicated compared to the league marathon.

“If you win two or three games you are already in the semi-finals, and depending on the team strength and preparation, anything can happen in the final. Everyone has an equal chance of winning despite the form or stature of the team.

“So doing well in the Chibuku Super Cup will be something special for us at Triangle.”

This Chibuku Super Cup assignment comes on the back of an encouraging run for the Sugar Sugar Boys, who have recovered from being the league’s whipping boys under previous coach Masomere.

Triangle are unbeaten in their last 11 league games, having last lost a match on May 25.

However, the downside of that streak is the fact that they have not been able to turn most of the draws into wins after featuring in eight stalemates and managing three wins.

On paper, Triangle have the easiest task as their opponents Kwekwe United have been struggling to meet the demands of Premiership football, with just one win to their name after 24 games.

The Midlands side are saddled with financial challenges and low confidence after losing 17 of their 24 games this season.

While Triangle are coming from a 1-1 draw against Yadah in their last league game, Kwekwe United were as has seemingly become the norm, beaten, 3-1 by Herentals at Rufaro on Sunday.

Triangle also carry the psychological advantage after beating the Premiership debutants 3-0 when the sides met in a league match earlier in the season. However, cup games remain unpredictable and the winner of this will advance to the first round where 2016 winners Ngezi will be waiting in ambush.

Chibuku Super Cup Fixtures:

Today: Yadah v Dynamos (Ngoni)

Tomorrow: Triangle v Kwekwe United (Mandava)

Eddie Chikamhi

Zimpapers Sports Hub

SIMBA Bhora coach Joel Luphahla has warned competitors in the championship race that they have to step up their game if they entertain aspirations of wrestling the championship from his side.

The Shamva side currently leads the race for this year’s honours with 47 points following the 1-0 win over Chicken Inn at Wadzanayi at the weekend. Midfielder Junior Makunike scored the solitary goal of the match.

They sit just one point above nearest challengers Scottland, who demolished fellow contenders FC Platinum 5-2 away at Mandava on Saturday to stoke the pressure in the marathon.

Luphahla however feels his team is geared to fight all the way to the finish line in the remaining 10 games of the season and rekindle the title glory in Mashonaland Central province.

“We are the defending champions. I said earlier this week that if anybody is going to take this, they would have played better than us,” he said.

“They have to play better than us. They have to work for it. We cannot give anything away. We are the defending champions. We are on top. We need to try, and the good thing now is that when we win the games are subtracting. So, we need to continue working very hard.

“It’s not going to be easy, but we’ve got a good team that can compete and I’m very confident with my boys that at the end of the day, we are going to give what we think we can give. But like I said, it’s not easy.

“We are under pressure sometimes, but I hope that the pressure will spare us all,” said Luphahla.

Simba Bhora face pressure from different angles as teams in the top four all still have realistic chances of winning the league race. Their campaign was boosted by the setbacks faced by third-placed MWOS, who lost to Dynamos and FC Platinum’s home defeat to Scottland.

But, on 40 points, the platinum miners are still within striking distance; so is Lloyd Mutasa’s MWOS on 42 points.

Free-spending Scottland are their biggest threat after the Mabvuku side went out of their way during the just-ended player transfer window to bring players such as Malawian Khuda Myaba and Moses Shidolo from Namibia.

They also captured ex-Highlanders and Young Warriors sensation Mafious Chihweta, Warriors striker Terrence Dzvukamanja and national team skipper Knowledge Musona, who was easily the club’s marquee signing.

Zimpapers Sports Hub

ANJE Van As will shift her focus to the next assignment after completing her participation at the ongoing World Aquatics Swimming Championships this morning in the women’s 200m butterfly in Singapore.

Van As finished seventh in 2 minutes 19.43 seconds, in heat two of three heats that were lined up.

Overall, she was placed 23 out of 27 swimmers.

Van As will be hoping to build on the experience as she shifts her focus to the upcoming World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships scheduled for August 19 to 24 in Romania.

Also in competition this morning was Cory Werrett, and swimming in heat one of 12 heats, he was the first to touch the wall in 51.93seconds. His previous time was 52.40seconds.

The Zimbabwean swimmer was ranked 63 overall out of 110 participants in the heats.

The top 16 proceeded to the semi-finals.

Blessing Malinganiza

Zimpapers Sports Hub 

WITH just 11 games left in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, the fight for survival has reached fever pitch.

While the title race simmers, the real drama unfolds at the bottom, where nearly the entire league remains locked in a desperate scramble to avoid the drop.

Historically, 41 points has been the magic number for safety after TelOne and Hwange were relegated in 2019 on 40 points.

Yet after Matchday 23, only three teams, Simba Bhora (44), Scottland (43), and MWOS (42), have crossed that threshold.

Shockingly, even fourth-placed FC Platinum (40 points) linger just below the safety line, proving no one is truly secure.

For some, the equation is simple.

Ngezi Platinum (38), TelOne (37), Herentals (35), and ZPC Kariba (31) need at least 10 more points, a manageable task.

But for the rest, the battle is brutal.

From 9th to 18th, the relegation dogfight is intense.

Highlanders and CAPS United, tied on 28 points, hover precariously above the abyss.

At the very bottom, Kwekwe United (9 points) stare at near-certain doom, requiring a miraculous 11-game winning streak just to reach 42 points.

Sandwiched in between, a cluster of clubs, Dynamos (16), Manica Diamonds (23), Yadah (24), GreenFuel (24), Triangle United (24), Bikita Minerals (25), and Chicken Inn (26), are entrenched in the survival scrap.

Among them, Manica Diamonds remain defiant, insisting they can claw their way out.

Their season has been a rollercoaster of grit and frustration.

Their Achilles’ heel is their toothless attack, netting a meager 12 goals, pale in comparison to Simba Bhora and Ngezi Platinum’s explosive 28 each.

Yet, there’s a silver lining, they have doubled Dynamos’ tally and can take pride in their rock-solid defense.

Conceding just 17 goals, on par with Highlanders and TelOne, they have been a tough nut to crack.

Between the sticks, Tedious Baye has been a revelation, racking up nine clean sheets, a stat that could spark a late-season resurgence.

Baye believes mindset shift is key to revival.

“We’ve got to sharpen up, mentality and unity. That’s the only way back to winning ways.”

“Staying up isn’t just about the team, it’s about keeping football alive in Mutare. If we go down, even our CVs take a hit. Nobody wants to be part of a sinking ship.”

He added: “Eight clean sheets in the last 11 games, that’s my target. If we hit that, we survive. Simple as that.

“Results? Tough. But my form? Sharp. I have conceded, but I’ve also kept us in games. Last season was my worst in the Premier League, now it’s about bouncing back stronger.”

Fungai Muderere, Zimpapers Sports Hub

DONOVAN Bernard’s return to Chicken Inn has closed a short lived chapter in South Africa, one that promised much, but ultimately fizzled out.

The former Warriors goalkeeper was set for a move to South Africa’s National First Division side Kruger United, with whispers that DStv Premiership giants Orlando Pirates were circling for a possible loan deal. But that transfer is now off, and Bernard is back between the sticks at Chicken Inn.

Club president Lifa Ncube confirmed the goalkeeper’s return.
“All I can say is that Donovan is back. He was not happy, and we’ve accepted him back,” said Ncube.

“He is our son, and we will always cherish what he has done for us.”
Bernard made an immediate impact on his return, keeping goal on Sunday as Chicken Inn dismantled Dynamos 3-0 in a clinical performance at Luveve. Ironically, what may have been his final match in Gamecocks colours before his SA move was the goalless Bulawayo Derby draw against Highlanders at Barbourfields over a month ago.

Described by many as a safe pair of hands, the stocky Simbisa Brands sponsored shot stopper has served the Gamecocks with distinction over the years, earning respect and rumoured interest from across the Limpopo.

According to impeccable sources, Bernard’s move to Kruger United was all but done. The NFD outfit, known for its ambitions, had reportedly laid the groundwork for the deal, before complications emerged.

Even more tantalising were suggestions that Orlando Pirates were keeping tabs on Bernard, viewing him as a possible short term reinforcement via a loan from Kruger.

“We will stand informed by the player. It is his career, and we’ll be guided by his agent, Gibson Mahachi,” added Ncube.

This isn’t Bernard’s first dance with South African football disappointment. Back in 2020, the former TTM (Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila), who had previously bought out Milano United’s franchise and later acquired Bidvest Wits’ topflight status, tried to lure Bernard, but that deal also soured.

Now 29, Bernard faces a fresh challenge: reclaiming his spot as Chicken Inn’s No.1, with Pride Zendera offering strong competition.

A veteran of stints at How Mine and Ngezi Platinum Stars, Bernard remains one of the most experienced goalkeepers in the domestic league and his story with the Gamecocks, it seems, isn’t over just yet.

Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub

CAPS Utd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1

Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

AFTER experiencing a frustrating four months upon returning home to revive his dying football career, striker Nyasha Chintuli delivered on the promise he made to his coach Ian Bakala yesterday when he scored the priceless goal that earned CAPS United victory over old foes Highlanders at Rufaro.

Chintuli ended his prolonged barren run in the 66th minute, just a few moments after the half-time pep talk with Bakala where he vowed to repay the Zambian coach’s faith in him.

Bakala had challenged him, as he has usually done, to pull himself together and win the game for the Green Machine, and the forward, who earlier on missed another gilt-edged chance, redeemed himself.

“At half-time I asked him, “my friend, when are you going to make the team win?” And he promised me that coach today I’m going to make the team win, and he did, which is good for the team and I’m very happy with the whole team,” said Bakala.

“As a coach, I think for me, when I came, I looked at him. It’s something that a coach has to work on a good player, to change his mentality and give him confidence that he can play and he’s doing that now.

“That’s why he’s performing like this.”

Chintuli struggled with his game and could not vindicate former coach Lloyd Chitembwe who lured him home from Eswatini in January.

“Sometimes it’s just the (change of) face. I think even in training, he’s pushing.

“You can tell. I think each game he’s having chances. Today, he had the chance in the first half, but he couldn’t score.

“I think it’s important for us to win this game. I just give credit to the players.

They fought despite the first five minutes, we looked a bit shaky.

“But afterwards, I think the game was ours, which is good for the team. We just have to forget and focus on the coming game,” said Bakala.

That strike was enough for the Harare giants to claim their revenge on Highlanders who beat them by the same margin at Barbourfields earlier in the year.

Former Highlanders coach Pieter De Jongh, who has been linked with a possible return to the Bulawayo giants yesterday watched as Bosso slumped to a defeat.

De Jongh was at Rufaro as a guest of the Bosso leadership who are believed to be preparing him to take over the reins from interim coach Try Ncube, who has struggled to lift the giants since stepping in to fill the void left by Kelvin Kaindu’s sacking last month.

The Dutchman led Highlanders on a decent run during his brief stint in 2019 which also saw him winning the Chibuku Super Cup.

But his heart could have sunk in dejection as Chintuli broke the deadlock in the 66th minute with a rising shot inside the box after receiving a pass from Phineas Bamusi.

Highlanders were captained by Darlington Munkuli yesterday, in the absence of injured captain, Andrew Mbeba.

His absence was showing as the Bosso defence was looking a bit shaky and lacking in leadership.

With their wing sensation Mafious Chihweta kept under lock and key by defender Brian Kadamanja, Bosso struggled for fluency.

Both teams were not clinical upfront yesterday, as they could not make use of the few clear chances they created.

Bosso twice came close from crosses, with Brian Mlotshwa sending his header over the bar early in the match.

Then, CAPS United midfielder Tanaka Shandirwa, who had a brilliant game yesterday, dragged his low shot just wide of the target after 22 minutes with goalkeeper Reward Muza rooted to the line.

But Muza made a crucial save with his feet after 37 minutes, denying CAPS United’s Congolese forward Chris Mugalu’s header from a cross by Bamusi.

Bosso made two substitutions early in the second half with midfielder Melikhaya Ncube also coming in as coach Ncube searched for more fluidity.

Highlanders won a free-kick just outside the box after Never Rauzhi was brought down by Kelvin Mangiza. However, goalkeeper Stephen Odai Kwaku was well positioned to deal with the threat.

But Highlanders could have counted themselves fortunate after defender Arthur Ndlovu scooped the ball from the line from a melee that followed a corner kick situation with just over an hour played.

But they were not so lucky when Makepekepe returned with Bamusi making a fine run from the middle. The diminutive midfielder released Chintuli, who made no mistake from close range.

Both teams are now on 28 points, with Bosso sitting in ninth place while CAPS United are 10th.

Highlanders coach Ncube was naturally disappointed by the result as his team has now failed to win the last three games, further fuelling speculation about De Jongh’s return to help the club make a strong finish in the campaign.

“Disappointing result,” Ncube said.

“We started well. I think we had a better first half than the second half.

“We just made one error and then when they scored, it was always going to be difficult. The boys are at a low now in terms of confidence.

“When we started the game, I think we had one or two openings that we could easily have got something from but then we did not score. The longer it stayed at 0-0, one mistake and then we went down,” said Ncube.