We are on the brink...

Toronto Football Club Senior Team

As a youngster growing up in Pumula East in a section known as kuma 81, I learnt how to play football on a makeshift football ground that is up to this day still referred to as Es’kwakweni. Back in the day this ground was the size of a standard football pitch but efforts to erect some goal posts were not successful as the gumtree poles gotten from the city council plantation in the neighbouring suburb of Magwegwe always got stolen, presumably to be used as firewood – which is rather ironic considering that they would not have been acquired legally in the first place.

There were quite a number of local football heroes that cut their teeth on that S’kwakwa and I know for certain that the late former Warriors, Zimbabwe Saints and Highlanders defender Melusi Nkiwane played there on a regular basis before he became a Super League player with Chikwata.

Legend has it that former Eagles player Stanford Ntini was one of the founders of that ground and I vividly remember former Highlanders star Sizabantu Khoza and his brother Morrison Thulani , a former Zimbabwe youth international, coming from Pumula North to take part in money games (imbeji).

Former Warriors linkman Peter Rio Moyo, who is now with How Mine, and former Tsholotsho holding midfielder Butholezwe Ncube, who is with AmaZulu in South Africa, are some of the current stars that used to grace Is’kwakwa in their youth.

Of all the above mentioned players only Ntini, Nkiwane and Ncube did stay for a while kuma 81 in the area where Is’kwakwa is located, but it would not be proper to claim them as its products.

Is’kwakwa products that should have gone far in their football careers include one Newboy Banda, now late, who was nicknamed Ayashisa Amateki and spent a year trying his luck at CAPS United in Harare but failed to make a breakthrough.

Toronto Football Club Under 18

Banda was a popular high school soccer star who played alongside Nkiwane, Nation Dube and Agent Sawu at Pumula High School but while his peers went on to scale great heights, he remained rooted at Es’kwakweni after a working stint in South Africa and a spell with second division outfit Clay Products.

From my generation there was Themba Moyo, also known as Ncane or Thembani. There was another Thembani who lived on the same street who was a bit older than Moyo and in typical township style, the elder Thembani was referred to as Thembani Omkhulu while the younger Thembani became u Thembani Omncane and over the years or maybe also due to the popularity of the late former Highlanders defender Fanuel Ncube, who was nicknamed Ncane, Thembani Omncane eventually became known simply as Ncane.

Our Ncane was a utility player who played as a central defender for Young Blood juniors where he played alongside the likes of Francis Chandida and Sizalobuhle Dube but at Magwegwe High School he played as a central striker while turning out for the Under 16s before being converted into a right wing back when he graduated into the Under 18s.

Toronto Football Club Under 16

So talented was Ncane such that each time I meet former Warriors captain Benjani Mwaruwari, a former teammate at both Young Blood and Magwegwe, he always asks after him.

Ncane joined the Great Trek to South Africa soon after finishing his O’ Level and just like a number of that all-conquering Magwegwe High School team of the early 90s who included Noah and Tymon Vuma, was lost to local football.

Over the years and with the advent of urban agriculture, Is’kwakwa began to shrink in size as residents’ fields started encroaching into the ground but its popularity did not wane.

Its attractiveness stems from the fact that youngsters can just organise themselves into teams and start playing without having to first go through the rigours of training and as such, many talented players shunned organised football where they would not only travel outside their hood but also have to prove their worth at training.

It was this realisation that good players were wasting away Es’kwakweni and the situation had become some sort of vicious cycle where talented footballers would stop playing competitively after picking up bad habits that we formed what was then known as Pumula East Academy with Moses (Gwejegweje) Musariri in 2009.

Pumula East Academy juniors minus Musariri would later morph into Toronto Football Club following the amalgamation of the academy and Gift ‘Ghetto’ Nkala’s senior team that campaigned in the third division.

In our first year of campaigning in the now defunct Ghetto Junior League as Pumula East Academy one of our star players Mncedisi Gumede was chosen to be part of the national Under 15 Young Warriors squad that represented the country at the inaugural Youth Olympics in Singapore in 2010.

Mncedisi Gumede

After stints with Highlanders development teams and the Tsholotsho senior team, Gumede is back with us and is one of the key members of the squad as we chase promotion into the Zimbabwe Football Association Southern Region Division One Soccer League.

The city council has since created a proper pitch next to the Is’kwakwa and our exploits this year have left us on the brink of winning promotion into the second tier of Zimbabwean football with three games left in the season but our quest could be derailed by financial challenges.

Recently, we were bailed out by a well-wisher who cleared our outstanding affiliation fees to the Zifa Bulawayo Province but we still have got to clear outstanding referees’ fees to the tune of $635.50. Of this figure $146.00 is for our remaining two home matches while $489.50 is for past matches for which we did not pay match officials all their dues.

We do hereby appeal to well - wishers to help us fund raise so that we can be able to fulfil all our remaining matches.

There are so many products of Is’kwakwa that are dotted around the globe whose young relatives we are grooming to become footballers so please share this message until it reaches them and hopefully they will be touched into contributing towards helping Toronto Football Club scale great heights.

In the past couple of years we have even had rival teams helping us out pay affiliation fees and referees and we have also been kept afloat by the contributions from members of our community whom I will not name lest I forget someone and they be offended and decide not to assist in future.

Toronto Football Club Under 14

I know that when one looks at the figures mentioned above they seem to be too much but if  for instance all my 680 Facebook friends were to contribute a dollar each then the debt would be cleared leaving a bit of money to channel towards our age group team teams.

Just think about it….

Through these dollar a month contributions we can go on to participate in the first division and even beyond.

For contributions/donations contact Ghetto Nkala on 0772 280 741 or Sakheleni Nxumalo on 0772 322 791. Both numbers are registered on ecocash. Email sakheleninxumalo@hotmail.com or nxumalosakheleni@gmail.com    

Highlanders starts pre - season training

THE off – season break is over for Bulawayo giants Highlanders Football Club, who kick off their pre – season preparations today.

Bosso technical director Cosmas Zulu yesterday confirmed that training for the 2017 season gets underway this morning at Barboufields Stadium.

“Our pre – season programme begins tomorrow (today) morning at 10 o’clock in the morning at the Barbourfields Stadium outside grounds. We will however, not be conducting open trials but the trial process is strictly by invitation only,” Zulu said.

The  veteran Bosso coach, who also doubles up as the club’s goalkeepers coach, will be in charge of the pre-season training since head coach Erol Akbay is still in Netherlands while assistant coach Amin Soma – Phiri is attending the on – going CAF A Coaching course at the Zifa Village in Harare.

Akbay is expected back in the country on 3 February.

Bulawayo City, who also use the outside grounds at Barbourfields Stadium for their training sessions, kicked off their off – season preparations yesterday afternoon.

The Amakhosi coach Try Ncube said new players were welcome to try their luck with the Bulawayo City Council owned team.

“We managed to retain the majority of the players that were in our books last year but we will not close the door on new players. The first two weeks we will focus on the players that will be coming for trials to see if we can unearth some good players to replace those that moved away,” Ncube said.

Influential skipper Xolisani Moyo, who has since joined Ngezi Platinum, is one of the players that Bulawayo City will have to replace if they are to build on last season’s commendable showing when they finished in mid table on their debut season.

Premiership returnees Bantu Rovers, also start their preparations this afternoon at Crescent Sports Club.

      

Juwawo Wins 2016 Old Mutual Nkulumane Fun Race

 

OLYMPIAN Wirimai Juwawo reclaimed the Old Mutual Nkulumane 10km Fun Race title after romping to an easy victory at Nkulumane Shopping Complex on Sunday.

Wirimai JUWAWO

 

 

Prior to his latest victory, the 2016 Rio Olympics bound athlete had last won this particular event in 2013 when he successfully defended his title following his first place finish when the race was revived in 2012.

 

 

 

 

The seasoned Juwawo strategically kept the leading pack within touching distance before taking over the lead with a kilometre to go.

He went on to hit the tape with 30 minutes 18 seconds on the clock with second placed Jacob Mugomeri finishing four seconds behind him.



Jacob MUGOMERI and Wellington VAREVI

“The race was okay and the only challenge that I had was the windy conditions. In the first four kilometres of the race the wind was behind us and the course was downhill so I made sure I reserved my energy for the last half of the race which is uphill and the other guys could not catch me when I made a break for it,” Juwawo said.

 

 

 

Kelvin Pangiso finished third in 30 minutes and 34 seconds while Trust Chidomaya was fourth in 30 minutes and 45 seconds.

Kelvin PANGISO and Wirimai JUWAWO

 

Wellington Varevi came fifth in 30 minutes and 56 seconds.

 

 

 

 

 

    The womens’ 10km race was won by Patience Murove in 36 minutes and 15 seconds.

Patience MUROVE (far left) leads Constance NYASANGO and Rutendo NYAHORA

 

The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services athlete relegated last year’s winner Olivia Chitate to second position while another former winner of the race Rutendo Nyahora finished in fifth position.

Juwawo and Murove received $500 for their efforts which is half of what winners of previous editions were getting because of cash problems currently prevailing in the country.

Jay Kuveya of Mandwandwe High came first in the 10km Junior Men’s Race with Sandra Taderera of Mpopoma High coming first in the Junior Women’s category.

Trust CHIDOMAYA

 

Chidomaya was the winner of the Veteran Men’s race while Thabitha Tsatsa won the Veteran Women’s race.

Elford MOYO

 

 

 

 

Kingstone Maringe and Rutendo Moyo triumphed in the veterans’ category with Jethro Thebe and Felistas Nicodemus winning in the Grand Masters section.

 

 

 

The Wheelchair races were won by Elford Moyo and Thandiwe Ndlovu.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cosmas "Tsano" Zulu makes stand-up comedy debut

Cosmas "Tsano" Zulu

 

A rib cracking performance by veteran football coach Cosmas Tsano Zulu was one of the highlights of the night as Umahlekisa Comedy Club celebrated three years of existence at the Bulawayo Rainbow hotel last Friday.

 

The Highlanders technical advisor had comedy lovers eating out of the palm of his hand when he was afforded the opportunity to go on stage and warm up the crowd after making an unscheduled appearance at the comedy showcase.

MC Cde Phil

“I read about this show in the papers and decided to pitch up and do a little performance,” Zulu said.

 

 

 

 

“I wanted to come and share some jokes that I share with my boys when the team is in camp to boost their morale.”  

 

 

 

 

So polished was Zulu’s performance that he not only received a well -deserved cheer at the end of his set, but his presentation also proved to be a hard act to follow for upcoming comedian Owen Nyoni, whose jokes failed to strike the right chord with the audience.

Owen
 

 

 

 

Another newcomer, Marcus Ngwenya, fared a lot better and his act belied the fact that he was making his debut stand up performance.

Marcus

Umahlekisa Comedy Club regulars Mandla Simbarashe and H.O also performed with the later falling victim to some heckling from a section of the audience.

Mandlenkosi Simbarashe

 

 

 

 

H.O

The founders of the Umahlekisa initiative Ntando Van Moyo and Clive Chigubhu brought the show to a hilarious end with Moyo performing first and then Chigubhu closing it off in his inimitable style.

Clive Chigubhu and Ntando van Moyo

After the show Moyo described the well-attended event as evidence of their growth.

“I am so satisfied with the turnout and I would like to believe that it is a reflection of how we have grown over the years,” said Moyo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matawu boost for Chicken Inn

Clemence MATAWU

Veteran midfielder Clemence Matawu is part of the Chicken Inn squad that is set to take on crack South African outfit Mamelodi Sundowns in a Caf Champions League preliminary round second leg encounter on Saturday night.

Matawu, who missed the first leg as he was still recovering from injury, replaced Canaan Nkomo in the 18-man squad that will travel to South Africa on Wednesday afternoon.

The Gamecocks carry a 1-0 lead into the second leg encounter which is set for the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria and their head coach Joey Antipas is hoping for a positive result that will see them through to the next round.

Joey ANTIPAS

“One thing we know is that we will have our work cut out by a Sundowns side that will be baying for our blood. For us to get a positive result we have to once again come up with a great performance like we did in the first leg,” said Antipas.

Chicken Inn are expected in South Africa on Wednesday afternoon and team secretary Tawengwa Hara said they have lined up some training sessions under floodlights since the match will be played at night.

Tawengwa HARA

“The team is leaving early for South Africa so that they can have time to train under floodlights which was not possible here because the charges we were asked to pay were very exorbitant,” Hara said.

The Chicken Inn official said the reigning Castle Premiership champions were asked to part with nearly $4 000 to train under floodlights at Barbourfields.

Plans to train at the Khumalo Hockey Stadium, where the charges are lower, were scuppered by the poor state of the playing surface at the facility.

The winner of the preliminary round encounter between the Gamecocks and Amasandawana will face Congolese outfit AC Leopards in the first round.

Chicken Inn squad

Goalkeepers:

Elvis Chipezeze, Pride Zendera.

Defenders:

Passmore Bernard, Divine Lunga, Lawrence Mhlanga, Moses Jackson, Ben Nyahunzvi.

Midfielders:

Danny Phiri, Brian Juru, Tafadzwa Kutinyu, Clemence Matawu, Thabani Goredema, Physwell Madhazi, George Majika, Edmore Chirambadare.

Strikers:

Obidiah Tarumbwa, Michelle Katsvairo and Moses Demera.

   

Youngsters impress in Bosso win

The decision to not go into the market for seasoned players may turn out to be a masterstroke by Highlanders Football Club after graduates from their development side stole the show during the Bulawayo Football Festival on Sunday.

Prince Dube

Centre striker Prince Dube (19) scored the solitary goal that earned Highlanders victory over Bulawayo City in the final of the four - team festival while 21 – year old Brian Banda was on target in the semi – final victory over How Mine.

Brian Banda

Banda’s strike however, was cancelled out by How Mine new signing Toto Banda and the match had to be decided by a penalty shoot-out that Highlanders won 4 – 2.

Adrian Silla

20 – year old Adrian Silla, who joined the Bosso development side mid season last year and helped the team win promotion into the Southern Region Soccer League after coming second in the second division last year, put up some eye catching performances after coming on as a substitute in both games and capped a fine afternoon by providing the assist for Dube’s winner in the final.

Dube, a product of journalist Lee Mangena’s Street Set Football Club, was the top goal scorer in the Bulawayo Province Division 2 league last season with 20 goals to his credit.

 Amini – Soma Phiri, who was in charge of Highlanders while Dutchman Erol Akbay watched from the stands, was full of praise for the youngsters.

Erol Akbay,right, with from left Marko Dube, Cosmas Zulu and Melusi Sibanda

“Like the chairman indicated, we cannot afford to buy players so we are going to build the team from the youngsters that we have. The boys are showing a lot of positives especially this young boy Prince Dube, he has something special and I think that he will give us a lot if he does not get injured,” Soma - Phiri said.

On their way to the final Bulawayo City beat Tsholotsho 3-1 after a penalty shoot-out.

The match had ended in a goalless stalemate during regulation time.

Bulawayo City coach Philani Ncube said he did not read much into the results of the matches as the goal was to get his team ready for the season.

Philani Ncube and Amini Soma - Phiri

“It’s not about the results as we are working on the four fundamentals, the technique, the tactics, the physiology and the psychology. 


We are almost done with the physical part and we are now working on incorporating the technic/tactic and then later on we will move on to the psychological part,” Ncube said.

Themba Sibanda, Kelvin Kaindu and Bekithemba Ndlovu

New How Mine coach Kelvin Kaindu said his team is still far from being in good physical condition and only took part in the festival to support Highlanders who are turning 90 years old this year.

“We had to adjust our programme considering when the season is starting (April) because we realised that if we do the six – week periodisation cycle, we would have been ahead before the season starts so we have not done much of the practical side but we have been doing the theory,” Kaindu said.

Tsholotsho head coach Lizwe Sweswe said taking part in the Bulawayo Football Festival had helped him judge the mental strength of some of the youngsters who are trying their luck at his side.

Xolani, Lizwe Sweswe and Mkhando

“These games have been very helpful because while you can work on the tactical and technical aspects of the game with these players, it is only during such matches that one can gauge their mental aptitude,” Sweswe said.

Giacomo Ratto

Iziqholo zeZhwane featured Italian keeper Giacomo Ratto in their penalty shoot-out loss to Bulawayo City.

Highlanders headline Bulawayo Football Festival

Football fans in the City of Kings and Queens are in for a treat this Sunday when Highlanders, Bulawayo City, Tsholotsho and How Mine clash at Barbourfields Stadium in a tournament that has been dubbed the Bulawayo Football Festival.

The festival is being organised by all the four clubs involved with the idea being to try and fund raise and also give teams a chance to gauge how far they have gone in terms of preparing for the 2016 season.

Gate charges have been pegged at $2 for the rest of the ground while tickets for the wings will cost $3 and entry into the VIP section will cost $5.

The tournament draw will be conducted at Barbourfields at 09:00 hrs.

Highlanders have been seeded meaning the other three teams will go into the hat with the first two teams to be picked playing each other in the first match at10 o’clock and then Bosso will play the remaining team in the second match.

The winners of the first two games will then proceed to the finals while the losers will take part in a third place play-off.

Proceeds from the festival will be shared equally between the four teams with the tournament winners also earning bragging rights over their city rivals.

Highlanders FC secretary general Emmett Ndlovu

Highlanders secretary general Emmett Ndlovu said they were taking the tournament seriously as it provides an opportunity for Bosso to gauge their strength.

“The guys are really taking it seriously as they know that at the beginning of the season this is where you measure yourself against these guys that are also trying to be counted among the big boys of local football. 
Our technical has been working flat out to ensure that we come nothing short of victory and I can confirm that our new coach Erol Akbay will be part of out technical team on Sunday,” Ndlovu said.

Bulawayo City FC chairman Jerry Sibanda

Bulawayo City chairman Jerry Sibanda said he is confident that his team will emerge victorious as they are the best prepared.

“We have one of the most seasoned coaches in the country in Philani Beefy Ncube and we want to see how he has prepared for the 2016 season. 

I am very confident because no other team is as prepared as Bulawayo City, we are more prepared than even our brothers (Highlanders) and on Sunday we are going to beat our brothers and later on say sorry brother, you are just not prepared,” Sibanda said.

Tsholotsho FC chairman Mlamuli Phiri

Tsholotsho chairman Mlamuli Phiri said the tournament is bound to foster unity among the teams taking part.

“It will be a sweet time. We have met two of the teams that will be part of the tournament when we played them in the Premier League last year. 
We were beaten by Highlanders twice and hopefully on Sunday it will be a time for us to say; feel us! We will approach the games as friends because we are one people in Bulawayo,” said Phiri.

Bosso treasurer Donald Ndebele implored fans to come in their numbers and enjoy the football fiesta.

Highlanders FC treasurer Donald Ndebele

“I would like to invite the soccer loving Bulawayo public to come in large numbers because if you are to watch four games for $2 it means that on average you will have paid 0.50 cents per match. 
This is an opportunity to financially support these teams and the teams should also use the chance to showcase upcoming talent,” Ndebele said.