Judo tourney returns after three year break

Chicken Inn FC ………… (0) 1 Whawha FC …………… ..(0) 0

Cranborne Bullets …..(1) 1 Highlanders …………… ..(1) 1 CHICKEN INN striker Brian Muza scored his 11th goal of the season as the GameCocks beat visiting Whawha in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Luveve Stadium yesterday.

The hosts had toiled for the greater part of the day and eventually found the opener in the 76th minute through Muza, who headed home a Neilson Ketala cross from close range.

The Gamecocks coach Joey Antipas felt they could have scored more goals had his charges been more clinical in front of goal.

"It was a frustrating afternoon. The way we dominated the game we should have closed it sooner by scoring more goals.

"We had a lot of attempts in the first 10 minutes,” Antipas

ZPC Kariba ………… (1) 1 Black Rhinos……. (1) 1 RELEGATION threatened ZPC Kariba were unable to utilise their numerical and home advantage after being held to a frustrating draw at home by ten-men Black Rhinos in Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Nyamhunga stadium yesterday.

Black Rhinos played the last quarter of the game with 10 men after referee Tichaona Mbire gave Rhinos midfielder Collins Kwaramba marching orders in the 67th minute for rough play.

Earlier Chipembere had taken said.

"I wouldn't say they were chances, but half chances and we did not maximise on those.

"The more the game went on, the more frustrating it was for us. But we are happy we have collected six points in two matches," said Antipas.

Whawha coach Luke Petros was disappointed with the result that reduces their chances of survival this season.

"It’s now becoming a tall order for us to survive relegation, if you look at the number of games remaining. We will keep fighting but it's becoming increasingly difficult for us to survive relegation," said Petros.

In Rusape, Highlanders saw their three match winning streak come to an end after being held to a draw against a stubborn Cranborne Bullets at Vengere Stadium yesterday.

After picking up successive league wins against Caps United, Yadah and Triangle. Bosso were eager to assert their dominance and wasted no time in settling the lead against the run of play in the 30th minute through Everson Feremba’s close range finish.

Veteran forward Tawanda Nyamande punished his former paymaster when he beat his marker before setting up an unmarked Feremba, who made no mistake from point blank.

Rhinos were however unable to hold on to their lead for long as ZPC Kariba equalised eight minutes later from a flashing header by striker Moses Demera.

In the second half it was a game of few chances as both sides became very cautious in their approach as they seemed to be contended with a share of the spoils. in the match as they broke the deadlock in the ninth minute through Ray Lunga.

The diminutive linkman found the back of the net with a powerful shot after finding himself unmarked inside the penalty box.

Bosso’s lead, however, lasted less than 10 minutes as Cranborne were awarded a penalty in the 17th minute after Mbongeni Ndlovu handled the ball inside the box.

Tadiwa Chibunyu stepped up to take the penalty and he scored for Cranborne Bullets to level the scores.

Bosso had the better chances in the second half as they sought the elusive winner with Stanley Ngala wasting their best chance in the 58th minute but Cranborne Bullets held on for a crucial point.

Highlanders remain in fourth position on 45 points from 28 matches while Cranborne Bullets are 11th on 35 points and now seemingly safe from relegation.

Home crowd favourite Tinotenda "Kedha" Chiunye could have put the hosts ahead in the 52nd minutes but his well taken shot was equally saved by Rhinos keeper Blessing Mwandimutsira.

Rhinos had their chances too when Eli Ilunga's effort sailed over the bar from close range in the dying minutes of the game.

Black Rhinos coach Stanford Mtizwa praised his players for the draw and said they are happy being labelled spoilers.

"We have been spoiling parties for teams at the top and now we are making it difficult for teams fighting relegation. We don't mind being labeled spoilers, we are enjoying the fun" said Mtizwa.

The point lifted Black Rhinos to seventh on 40 points from 28 matches while ZPC Kariba are in 14th position and five points clear of Harare City who occupy the last relegation spot.

THE Japanese Ambassador Judo Tournament kicked off at Hartman House School in Harare yesterday with some exciting matchups in the juniors’ category as the annual competition returned in style after a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Now in its fifth year, the tournament attracted over 100 judoka's between the ages of five and 11 on a colourful first day.

The level of competition was amazing with all races represented and with parents cheering on their children.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa's grandchildren, Joshua, Luciano and David scored big, winning gold in their respective category.

The sponsor of the tournament, the Japanese ambassador to Zimbabwe, Satoshi Tanaka was impressed with the level of competition.

"It was so exciting to see that Judo is still popular amongst Zimbabweans. It was good to see kids fighting so hard," Tanaka said.

"We are looking at spreading the Japanese culture through Judo, it is our pleasure to sponsor this tournament. "Judo is good for the mental and physical aspect but more importantly for the soul."

"I hope Zimbabwe will qualify for the Paris Olympics in two years’ time," said Ambassador Tanaka.

Judo Association of Zimbabwe president Smart Deke was happy with the tournament as it is part of their development initiative.

"This is where everything begins and we want to spread judo by catching them young," he said.

"These are our future Olympians and tomorrow (today) we are going to have the cadets, juniors and seniors as we prepare for region 5 games to be hosted by Malawi in December.

"We are also preparing for the All Africa games next year being hosted by Ghana.

"We want the sport of Judo to grow and we are glad it's now part of the physical education in schools." said Deke

The games continue today in the senior category where Zimbabwe judokas will battle for honours against their Zambian counterparts.