Zimbabwe beat Zambia 3-1 in 2017 Cosafa Final

(Karuru - Zimbabwe Captain and  Cosafa Top Goal Scorer)

Zimbabwe beat Zambia 3-1 in the 2017 Castle Cosafa Cup in a tactically superior battle of the titans. While playing hard and positive, the display was not direct but calculated.

The Zimbabweans lifted the Cup a record 5th time. They score their 19th goal in 6 matches. 

Eleven of those goals came from Karuru (6) and Mutizwa (5). They showed maturity from match day one until the end.

It must be said that both these countries' players exhibited similar playing intelligence in terms of anticipation, execution of basic technique and tactical awareness.

The final third entry proved to be exceptionally quick and the penetration very sleek for both sides. As a way to cement the point that the two countries deserved to play the final, the play was always switched from flank to flank, channel to channel, zone to zone and unit to unit with great peripheral vision.

It proved to be a great game of football overall and South Africa could do well to take some notes. Most of the game's characteristics result from sound football development structures.

Compared to South Africans, the Zimbabwean and Zambian players calculated 4 to 6 moves in advance like chess players. The Bafana Bafana seem to receive the ball, do everything they way and then decide what to do with it next.

In the group stages, Zimbabwe scored 12 goals without reply, announcing their intentions loud and clear. They were by far the most complete team, with the flawless attacking brand of football and solid defending.

Knox Mutizwa was Player of the Tournament, while Ovidy Karuru top scored with 6 goals. Tanzania provided the Goalkeeper of the Tournament.

The African football debacle

Maybe South Africa, Mali, Zambia, Burkina Faso or Zimbabwe could have won the 2014 Brazil FifaWorld Cup, had they hired Joachim Loew, Alejandro Pasella or Louis van Gaal. I am certain The Super Eagles of Nigeria or The Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire could have been champions if they stayed, played and worked in Germany under Joachim Leow since, at least, 2002.

You can take to the bank the fact that Phillip Lahm, Toni Kroos, Manuel Neuer and crew could have delayed their flight to Brazil for the World Cup and fought on the pitch, had they been under the banner and authority of Cameroon Football Association.

 

Lionel Messi, Higuain, Mascherano, Lavezzi and the squad could have received their money sent from Accra by plane, had they been under the control of Ghana. I am under no illusion that Stephen Keshi, John Appiah, Gordon Igusand or even Keutsepilemang Ndebele for that matter, could have reached the final of the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil with Die Mannschaft under the Germany administration.

 

Where lays the African football problem?  Regardless, all African coaches lose their jobs in preference to the knowledgeable and expensive expatriate coaches. The African football system is sinking. One learns from the best, the champions.

Germany today rules the world football today because of a class of players they manufactured. I handed over a programme to identify and nurture some talent for the 2006 and 2010 Fifa World Cup to some country’s association as a thirty year old some years back. I still have copies, but as you as well know, they are now as useful and cryptic scrolls with the language of the aliens.

All countries claim to have developmental structures and programmes; South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia included. Mzansi have a fair share of structures in place, but these are very much mediocre and unproductive. The funding is satisfactory but it could be better. The problem is that not many people who need to be hands-on are involved. The other issue is that the programme promotes events than processes. Information dissemination is really bad.

In Zimbabwe, the structures are solid and one can easily put their fingers on the pulse, from schools to the clubs. Organised school programmes cater for all according to their abilities to deliver. Clubs depend on these development sides they call juniors to usher new talent. Few lazy teams get to the market every now and then while their products are supped by the other teams who cannot afford to splash cash.

Some clubs find themselves answering calls from suitors each year. Potential superstars are known and their ripe date gets eagerly waited. The weekly fixtures, results and logs are available for the public at the Notice Boards at the offices, in the print media, electronic media and social networks. Hence, the influx of players to the ABSA Premier League, and most of the imports from there have dominated the league.

The story is almost similar in Namibia and the common factor with Zimbabwe is limited funding. One walks into the national office and requests the database with regional players in all age groups.

The regional structures have a direction to follow, although few still need further persuasion. Lack of implementation is one thing, and availability another. The structures are there, and the people have access to what they need. People on the ground may lack the motivation to work, but they are aware what to do and where to seek help. Above all, that help is available. The availability of information in South Africa is a cause for concern.

Players identified in tournaments the previous year fade into oblivion the following year. Few privileged ones, not necessarily the best, due to the geographical or social proximity, will always be in the limelight. These get to centres of excellence or the High Performance Centre. There is no class of players expected to be the ‘real Bafana Bafana’ of tomorrow. This system causes players get discovered at 23, 25 and even 27.

At 17, it is too late to be ‘discovered’. Players must be identified and grilled at 6, 8 or 10. The only way to keep track of them is to have a useful database and keep following until they are national team material and keep coaching the national philosophy, that is, how they are expected to play as national team players. The national game gets a brand and identity style of play from that early age.

In this context, as all clubs around the world know, there is an understanding of the general change of heart and lack of interest by the youth as they pass through adolescence. Some decide against pursuing football and prefer other sports, other stop sports altogether and specialise in academics to be doctors, lawyers and the like. The associations and clubs incur expenses for a lost cause in such cases, but weighing the pros and cons, they are better expecting the best in each case.

All said and done, the data information should ever be available to the public, parents and coaches for case studies, for developmental use, for training relevant personnel, sourcing of sponsorship and many other reasons. The future superstars get used to being popular and abosb the pressure of playing in the big stage early. They tend to be better hometown heroes and locals eagerly await their arrival and watch them in stadia.

As it is, many top league teams in South Africa play in empty stadia. Nobody ever knows the involved players, as they are not part of the known community. DJs are more popular than players are. Yet the country claims football is a religion.

Someone elsewhere is happy with the calamity and debacle of the African game. Few will celebrate a true African champion. The plastic smiles will hide the resentment of the coming of age of the sleeping giant. It can be confirmed that this is one sleeping giant that will never wake up, thanks to its own people.

CHANrity begins at home

One African Nation Cup (CHAN and not ANC) concept has been a revolutionary football ideal I hope will never die. The football and African politics are always a threat to the great good that the motherland always comes up with. It is a ‘kill them before they grow’ greed and hatred driven-debacle externally brewed and internal bred.

The idea, as known to all, is that African local league players are selected to represent their countries. This exposes the amateurs to the world. The same concept should have restricted the coaches in charge of these teams, to allow local mentors and in cases where the senior coaches are local, to allow only their local assistants to steer their local national teams to glory.

There can be an argument that the senior mentors have to be responsible to see potential graduates to the first teams and impose their style of play in the players involved in CHAN, but that is an excuse that football associations may have to stunt the growth of coaching education and practice. It can never be acceptable.

Stephen Keshi, the Big Boss, of Nigeria could have trusted Daniel Amokachi with the Super Eagles. South African Gordon Igesund could have taken a back seat and as it is, his effectiveness as a trusted Bafana coach took a knock with the failure to reach the final, increasing the ‘audibility’ of those baying for his blood. The issue is never to trivialize the tournament, but give it as much credibility as possible with development of both players and coaches in mind. It should be a complete package.

Congratulations to Libya for booking their final spot against Ghana after they dispatched a timid and naïve Warriors of Zimbabwe, and I hope they can win. I agree they play ‘anti-football’ but for their history and levelling of the playing ground, there is need for the absence of Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Algeria, Morocco or Egypt at the top of African football. It could have been a dream case to have Zimbabwe and Libya playing the final, with Zimbabwe winning it.

It must be said that Zimbabwe themselves gave a good account of themselves but paid the penalty by losing on penalties in a match they should have killed in full-time. They wasted further opportunities to do exactly that in extra time and squandered a few vital spot kicks at the end. The southern Africans enjoyed success in the past in the SADC region, winning the COSAFA Cup several times and, transferring that form in this tournament would have shifted the balance of African footballing power southwards, albeit for a moment.

African football has seen the dominance by the Arabic north and then the west. The central zone, represented by DR Congo and Zambia, faired reasonably well compared to the south and eastern regions. As I have always said about the concept of CHAN before it began, I hope one day, a South African man or company will rescue the national league, the ABSA Premiership, and southern Africa as a whole, by sponsoring the club Southern African champions’ league to challenge Zamalek, Al Ahly, Esperance, Asec Abijan, Assante Kotoko and the rest of the club heavy weights.

Charity begins at home.

South Africa rises as Zimbabwe is confused as ever

South African football has been on ascendence since the departure of respected and highly paid Brazilian coaches. The South Americans would normally get the credit for the foundation they laid. For a change, I will not do that. Pisto Mosimane is the man. Foreign coaches were almost derailing the pride of the nation and I am convinced that even the 2010 FIFA World Cup would have looked different under Mosimane.
 
In the African Nations Cup qualifier against record title holders, Egypt, striker Katlego Mphela killed off the match virtually with the last kick of the match, securing that famous 1-0 win. As usual with South African media, the next morning they wanted the world to know that 'Killer' was arrested for drunked driving. Such lack of news has made the world to believe Africa is a jungle. 
 
Back to football. The injury time strike means at the halfway stage of the campaign, South Africa, have seven points from three games. Egypt are 6 points behind and have a chance to revenge in June as they bid to qualify for 2012 Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. Bafana Bafana are best placed to reach finals they failed to qualify for in the year they hosted the World Cup.

On the other hand, neighbours, Zimbabwe, who supply the best personnel to the South African ABSA Premier League, are struggling with their qualifiers as they stumbled against Mali. Zimbabwe bundled the securing of Namibian coach, Tom Saintefeit to replace the inexperienced and under qualified Norman Mapeza. Madinda Ndlovu took the reigns in an acting capacity before the Warriors turned back on their vomit expecting miracles. This came after they tried to lure former coach, a successful young man who took the team to its second appearance of the tourney, Charles Mhlauri, but failed.
 
It is still early days but the principles of operation are quiet reversed. The result left the Warriors in 3rd position in Group A with 2 points from 3 matches. They trail leaders, unknown Cape Verde by 5 points. Verde beat Liberia 4-2 on Saturday. Zimbabwe had over 66 minutes to right the result but wasted the chance. Zimbabwe drew their first two matches against Liberia and Cape Verde, making it hard for themselves as matches run dry.
 
South Africa woke up and smelt the coffee. Things are working out for them, while Zimbabwe slumber and wet the blankets. Geography sometimes has nothing to do with anything.

Egypt, Algeria Beat By Minors. Ghana, Zimbabwe, South Africa In Draws.

An undisciplined Ghana team failed to stamp their authority in Kumasi. They were a pale shadow of the team Africa and the world fell in love with during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Sudan, for their part, were arrogantly patient and not giving the Black Stars any respect.

The Sudanese team could not thread the right final ball in their counter attacks. They won all their tackles and combats outsides the penalty box, giving Ghana lots of free kicks that they  fluffed. The missed dead ball situations that could have been converted were not utilised as each one of them was taken by a different player. That is an element of indiscipline of the first degree.

With about 10 minutes to go, Asamoah Gyan was red-carded for an unclear offense. Goalkeeper Kingson was involved several times to deal with long Sudanese balls. It was a well deserved draw for Sudan, who will fancy their chances against the more illustrious opponents.

Algeria lost 0-2 to Central African Republic in one of the shock results of AFCON qualifier. Record 6 times winners and defending champions were well beaten by Niger in Niger. Zimbabwe and Cape Verde, like the Sierra Leone  versus South Africa match, did not produce any goals. Congo beat Swaziland by 3 goals to 1.

Egypt, Algeria Beat By Minors. Ghana, Zimbabwe, South Africa In Draws.

An undisciplined Ghana team failed to stamp their authority in Kumasi. They were a pale shadow of the team Africa and the world fell in love with during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Sudan, for their part, were arrogantly patient and not giving the Black Stars any respect.

The Sudanese team could not thread the right final ball in their counter attacks. They won all their tackles and combats outsides the penalty box, giving Ghana lots of free kicks that they  fluffed. The missed dead ball situations that could have been converted were not utilised as each one of them was taken by a different player. That is an element of indiscipline of the first degree.

With about 10 minutes to go, Asamoah Gyan was red-carded for an unclear offense. Goalkeeper Kingson was involved several times to deal with long Sudanese balls. It was a well deserved draw for Sudan, who will fancy their chances against the more illustrious opponents.

Algeria lost 0-2 to Central African Republic in one of the shock results of AFCON qualifier. Record 6 times winners and defending champions were well beaten by Niger in Niger. Zimbabwe and Cape Verde, like the Sierra Leone  versus South Africa match, did not produce any goals. Congo beat Swaziland by 3 goals to 1.

Egypt, Algeria Beat By Minors. Ghana, Zimbabwe, South Africa In Draws.

An undisciplined Ghana team failed to stamp their authority in Kumasi. They were a pale shadow of the team Africa and the world fell in love with during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Sudan, for their part, were arrogantly patient and not giving the Black Stars any respect.

The Sudanese team could not thread the right final ball in their counter attacks. They won all their tackles and combats outsides the penalty box, giving Ghana lots of free kicks that they  fluffed. The missed dead ball situations that could have been converted were not utilised as each one of them was taken by a different player. That is an element of indiscipline of the first degree.

With about 10 minutes to go, Asamoah Gyan was red-carded for an unclear offense. Goalkeeper Kingson was involved several times to deal with long Sudanese balls. It was a well deserved draw for Sudan, who will fancy their chances against the more illustrious opponents.

Algeria lost 0-2 to Central African Republic in one of the shock results of AFCON qualifier. Record 6 times winners and defending champions were well beaten by Niger in Niger. Zimbabwe and Cape Verde, like the Sierra Leone  versus South Africa match, did not produce any goals. Congo beat Swaziland by 3 goals to 1.

Egypt, Algeria Beat By Minors. Ghana, Zimbabwe, South Africa In Draws.

An undisciplined Ghana team failed to stamp their authority in Kumasi. They were a pale shadow of the team Africa and the world fell in love with during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Sudan, for their part, were arrogantly patient and not giving the Black Stars any respect.

The Sudanese team could not thread the right final ball in their counter attacks. They won all their tackles and combats outsides the penalty box, giving Ghana lots of free kicks that they  fluffed. The missed dead ball situations that could have been converted were not utilised as each one of them was taken by a different player. That is an element of indiscipline of the first degree.

With about 10 minutes to go, Asamoah Gyan was red-carded for an unclear offense. Goalkeeper Kingson was involved several times to deal with long Sudanese balls. It was a well deserved draw for Sudan, who will fancy their chances against the more illustrious opponents.

Algeria lost 0-2 to Central African Republic in one of the shock results of AFCON qualifier. Record 6 times winners and defending champions were well beaten by Niger in Niger. Zimbabwe and Cape Verde, like the Sierra Leone  versus South Africa match, did not produce any goals. Congo beat Swaziland by 3 goals to 1.

Unsung Hero - Matesu Dube

Matesu Dube performing artist from Njube with the uplifting of a society they grew up in at heart. This artist with a lot of potential to grow, has teamed up with Alexander Mhlanga who is a Swedish resident but currently in Zimbabwe, a former football player and performing artist as well, to set up Ithemba - Hope Project, whose logo on Facebook is the sun. "Our project helps youths in different activities that include sports". 

Mr Dube,who is a former band member of Amigos during the days of the famous heavy beat of D-Gong, owns Umkhathi Theatre and works hard going in and coming out daily for the success of his Arts and Theatre projects, but more so for the youths. To date, they have sourced soccer kits and balls from Sweden and they will be giving them to different teams in Bulawayo during this weekend.

The former Highlanders and Amazulu coach Cosmas Zulu (Tsano), who also applied for the national coaching job with ZIFA, wants to start a soccer academy and he will be the recipient of soccer balls and a kit together with many junior and second division teams that includes Emakhandeni Pirates, New Orleans and Matton Queens football clubs to mention a few and the distribution is on at Salukazi Arts Centre this week.

These men are inspired by the work of other groups that cut a niche for their business like Siyaya and Iyasa. They are further motivated when they travel noticing a lot of things that are not being used or utilised, but can help a lot of people in Africa. "That is what made us start this project", said Matesu.

This industrious pair is friends with Claes Laasonen who is based in Sweden and is filled with love and hope for the development of African communities. "He heard me talk about the project, went about in Sweden and asked for donations". Ithemba-Hope Project managed to get seven full football kits and four boxes of trainers jackets and Laasonen talked to a shipping company, that will bring the clothes to Zimbabwe to be distributed.

Dube and Mhlanga worked with Claes who helped them collect clothes to donate to churches as well. They got tonnes of materials from well-wishers which either have been distributed already or will be given to people soon. The passion with which these guys work, is so motivational and one can only wish them the best.

These guys are not finished yet as they grow, and please if you have sports equipment, musical instruments, books, and clothes that you can donate, get in touch with the Ithemba (Hope) Group on Facebook, and please visit their website at http://www.umkhathitheatre.com.

Unsung Hero - Matesu Dube

Matesu Dube performing artist from Njube with the uplifting of a society they grew up in at heart. This artist with a lot of potential to grow, has teamed up with Alexander Mhlanga who is a Swedish resident but currently in Zimbabwe, a former football player and performing artist as well, to set up Ithemba - Hope Project, whose logo on Facebook is the sun. "Our project helps youths in different activities that include sports". 

Mr Dube,who is a former band member of Amigos during the days of the famous heavy beat of D-Gong, owns Umkhathi Theatre and works hard going in and coming out daily for the success of his Arts and Theatre projects, but more so for the youths. To date, they have sourced soccer kits and balls from Sweden and they will be giving them to different teams in Bulawayo during this weekend.

The former Highlanders and Amazulu coach Cosmas Zulu (Tsano), who also applied for the national coaching job with ZIFA, wants to start a soccer academy and he will be the recipient of soccer balls and a kit together with many junior and second division teams that includes Emakhandeni Pirates, New Orleans and Matton Queens football clubs to mention a few and the distribution is on at Salukazi Arts Centre this week.

These men are inspired by the work of other groups that cut a niche for their business like Siyaya and Iyasa. They are further motivated when they travel noticing a lot of things that are not being used or utilised, but can help a lot of people in Africa. "That is what made us start this project", said Matesu.

This industrious pair is friends with Claes Laasonen who is based in Sweden and is filled with love and hope for the development of African communities. "He heard me talk about the project, went about in Sweden and asked for donations". Ithemba-Hope Project managed to get seven full football kits and four boxes of trainers jackets and Laasonen talked to a shipping company, that will bring the clothes to Zimbabwe to be distributed.

Dube and Mhlanga worked with Claes who helped them collect clothes to donate to churches as well. They got tonnes of materials from well-wishers which either have been distributed already or will be given to people soon. The passion with which these guys work, is so motivational and one can only wish them the best.

These guys are not finished yet as they grow, and please if you have sports equipment, musical instruments, books, and clothes that you can donate, get in touch with the Ithemba (Hope) Group on Facebook, and please visit their website at http://www.umkhathitheatre.com.

Unsung Hero - Matesu Dube

Matesu Dube performing artist from Njube with the uplifting of a society they grew up in at heart. This artist with a lot of potential to grow, has teamed up with Alexander Mhlanga who is a Swedish resident but currently in Zimbabwe, a former football player and performing artist as well, to set up Ithemba - Hope Project, whose logo on Facebook is the sun. "Our project helps youths in different activities that include sports". 

Mr Dube,who is a former band member of Amigos during the days of the famous heavy beat of D-Gong, owns Umkhathi Theatre and works hard going in and coming out daily for the success of his Arts and Theatre projects, but more so for the youths. To date, they have sourced soccer kits and balls from Sweden and they will be giving them to different teams in Bulawayo during this weekend.

The former Highlanders and Amazulu coach Cosmas Zulu (Tsano), who also applied for the national coaching job with ZIFA, wants to start a soccer academy and he will be the recipient of soccer balls and a kit together with many junior and second division teams that includes Emakhandeni Pirates, New Orleans and Matton Queens football clubs to mention a few and the distribution is on at Salukazi Arts Centre this week.

These men are inspired by the work of other groups that cut a niche for their business like Siyaya and Iyasa. They are further motivated when they travel noticing a lot of things that are not being used or utilised, but can help a lot of people in Africa. "That is what made us start this project", said Matesu.

This industrious pair is friends with Claes Laasonen who is based in Sweden and is filled with love and hope for the development of African communities. "He heard me talk about the project, went about in Sweden and asked for donations". Ithemba-Hope Project managed to get seven full football kits and four boxes of trainers jackets and Laasonen talked to a shipping company, that will bring the clothes to Zimbabwe to be distributed.

Dube and Mhlanga worked with Claes who helped them collect clothes to donate to churches as well. They got tonnes of materials from well-wishers which either have been distributed already or will be given to people soon. The passion with which these guys work, is so motivational and one can only wish them the best.

These guys are not finished yet as they grow, and please if you have sports equipment, musical instruments, books, and clothes that you can donate, get in touch with the Ithemba (Hope) Group on Facebook, and please visit their website at http://www.umkhathitheatre.com.

Unsung Hero - Matesu Dube

Matesu Dube performing artist from Njube with the uplifting of a society they grew up in at heart. This artist with a lot of potential to grow, has teamed up with Alexander Mhlanga who is a Swedish resident but currently in Zimbabwe, a former football player and performing artist as well, to set up Ithemba - Hope Project, whose logo on Facebook is the sun. "Our project helps youths in different activities that include sports". 

Mr Dube,who is a former band member of Amigos during the days of the famous heavy beat of D-Gong, owns Umkhathi Theatre and works hard going in and coming out daily for the success of his Arts and Theatre projects, but more so for the youths. To date, they have sourced soccer kits and balls from Sweden and they will be giving them to different teams in Bulawayo during this weekend.

The former Highlanders and Amazulu coach Cosmas Zulu (Tsano), who also applied for the national coaching job with ZIFA, wants to start a soccer academy and he will be the recipient of soccer balls and a kit together with many junior and second division teams that includes Emakhandeni Pirates, New Orleans and Matton Queens football clubs to mention a few and the distribution is on at Salukazi Arts Centre this week.

These men are inspired by the work of other groups that cut a niche for their business like Siyaya and Iyasa. They are further motivated when they travel noticing a lot of things that are not being used or utilised, but can help a lot of people in Africa. "That is what made us start this project", said Matesu.

This industrious pair is friends with Claes Laasonen who is based in Sweden and is filled with love and hope for the development of African communities. "He heard me talk about the project, went about in Sweden and asked for donations". Ithemba-Hope Project managed to get seven full football kits and four boxes of trainers jackets and Laasonen talked to a shipping company, that will bring the clothes to Zimbabwe to be distributed.

Dube and Mhlanga worked with Claes who helped them collect clothes to donate to churches as well. They got tonnes of materials from well-wishers which either have been distributed already or will be given to people soon. The passion with which these guys work, is so motivational and one can only wish them the best.

These guys are not finished yet as they grow, and please if you have sports equipment, musical instruments, books, and clothes that you can donate, get in touch with the Ithemba (Hope) Group on Facebook, and please visit their website at http://www.umkhathitheatre.com.

Barry Daka On New Job

Former Notwane, ECCO City Greens and Police XI coach Barry Daka, will coach newly promoted Happy Hearts of Botswana. Barry coached Highlanders FC, Railstars FC, Zimbabwe national senior and junior teams even won the league with ECCO a few seasons back.

BBza was given a mandate to take the ambitious team to greatness. They want his experience in dealing with their youthful team. While professionalism is a big issue in Botswana, coaches often put up with a lot of both headaches and heartaches to implement their philosophies and tactics.

Happy Hearts have already lost a charity Challenge Cup to Gaborone United but the club conceded all their preparations are barely 40% before the start of the league. They signed 2 veterans and young players from Rahman Gumbo's Township Rollers reserves.

A professional of his calibre, Daka will have to compromise his stance and the local culture of doing football as a favour for the coach. Having been in those situations for years now, he must be aware of the situation but will be hoping to give Rahman Gumbo a run for his Pulas.

Rahman Gumbo made a fantastic start for Mochudi Chiefs registering a 4-0 win over Uniao Flamengo Santos and giving a bapstism of fire to new boys Black Peril, 8-1 but lost to Gunners 0-2. Willard Mshinkila Khumalo's Nico were crushed 6-1 by Township Rollers who climbed to the summit of the Botswana MOBILE Premier League over the weekend.

Botswana football in general is on the rise parlty because of the contribution of the Zimbabwean mentors but largely because the Botswana coach is nimplementing the Brazilian mentality of the game. Stanley Tshosane was in a class in which I was top coach in Brazil in 1999 as a fellow student.

Do you think Botswana football is relevant enough for your consumption on this blog?

Barry Daka On New Job

Former Notwane, ECCO City Greens and Police XI coach Barry Daka, will coach newly promoted Happy Hearts of Botswana. Barry coached Highlanders FC, Railstars FC, Zimbabwe national senior and junior teams even won the league with ECCO a few seasons back.

BBza was given a mandate to take the ambitious team to greatness. They want his experience in dealing with their youthful team. While professionalism is a big issue in Botswana, coaches often put up with a lot of both headaches and heartaches to implement their philosophies and tactics.

Happy Hearts have already lost a charity Challenge Cup to Gaborone United but the club conceded all their preparations are barely 40% before the start of the league. They signed 2 veterans and young players from Rahman Gumbo's Township Rollers reserves.

A professional of his calibre, Daka will have to compromise his stance and the local culture of doing football as a favour for the coach. Having been in those situations for years now, he must be aware of the situation but will be hoping to give Rahman Gumbo a run for his Pulas.

Rahman Gumbo made a fantastic start for Mochudi Chiefs registering a 4-0 win over Uniao Flamengo Santos and giving a bapstism of fire to new boys Black Peril, 8-1 but lost to Gunners 0-2. Willard Mshinkila Khumalo's Nico were crushed 6-1 by Township Rollers who climbed to the summit of the Botswana MOBILE Premier League over the weekend.

Botswana football in general is on the rise parlty because of the contribution of the Zimbabwean mentors but largely because the Botswana coach is nimplementing the Brazilian mentality of the game. Stanley Tshosane was in a class in which I was top coach in Brazil in 1999 as a fellow student.

Do you think Botswana football is relevant enough for your consumption on this blog?

Barry Daka On New Job

Former Notwane, ECCO City Greens and Police XI coach Barry Daka, will coach newly promoted Happy Hearts of Botswana. Barry coached Highlanders FC, Railstars FC, Zimbabwe national senior and junior teams even won the league with ECCO a few seasons back.

BBza was given a mandate to take the ambitious team to greatness. They want his experience in dealing with their youthful team. While professionalism is a big issue in Botswana, coaches often put up with a lot of both headaches and heartaches to implement their philosophies and tactics.

Happy Hearts have already lost a charity Challenge Cup to Gaborone United but the club conceded all their preparations are barely 40% before the start of the league. They signed 2 veterans and young players from Rahman Gumbo's Township Rollers reserves.

A professional of his calibre, Daka will have to compromise his stance and the local culture of doing football as a favour for the coach. Having been in those situations for years now, he must be aware of the situation but will be hoping to give Rahman Gumbo a run for his Pulas.

Rahman Gumbo made a fantastic start for Mochudi Chiefs registering a 4-0 win over Uniao Flamengo Santos and giving a bapstism of fire to new boys Black Peril, 8-1 but lost to Gunners 0-2. Willard Mshinkila Khumalo's Nico were crushed 6-1 by Township Rollers who climbed to the summit of the Botswana MOBILE Premier League over the weekend.

Botswana football in general is on the rise parlty because of the contribution of the Zimbabwean mentors but largely because the Botswana coach is nimplementing the Brazilian mentality of the game. Stanley Tshosane was in a class in which I was top coach in Brazil in 1999 as a fellow student.

Do you think Botswana football is relevant enough for your consumption on this blog?

Barry Daka On New Job

Former Notwane, ECCO City Greens and Police XI coach Barry Daka, will coach newly promoted Happy Hearts of Botswana. Barry coached Highlanders FC, Railstars FC, Zimbabwe national senior and junior teams even won the league with ECCO a few seasons back.

BBza was given a mandate to take the ambitious team to greatness. They want his experience in dealing with their youthful team. While professionalism is a big issue in Botswana, coaches often put up with a lot of both headaches and heartaches to implement their philosophies and tactics.

Happy Hearts have already lost a charity Challenge Cup to Gaborone United but the club conceded all their preparations are barely 40% before the start of the league. They signed 2 veterans and young players from Rahman Gumbo's Township Rollers reserves.

A professional of his calibre, Daka will have to compromise his stance and the local culture of doing football as a favour for the coach. Having been in those situations for years now, he must be aware of the situation but will be hoping to give Rahman Gumbo a run for his Pulas.

Rahman Gumbo made a fantastic start for Mochudi Chiefs registering a 4-0 win over Uniao Flamengo Santos and giving a bapstism of fire to new boys Black Peril, 8-1 but lost to Gunners 0-2. Willard Mshinkila Khumalo's Nico were crushed 6-1 by Township Rollers who climbed to the summit of the Botswana MOBILE Premier League over the weekend.

Botswana football in general is on the rise parlty because of the contribution of the Zimbabwean mentors but largely because the Botswana coach is nimplementing the Brazilian mentality of the game. Stanley Tshosane was in a class in which I was top coach in Brazil in 1999 as a fellow student.

Do you think Botswana football is relevant enough for your consumption on this blog?

Warriors' Performance Against Liberia.

Nyandoro performing arts with Siyaya, years back.

The Zimbabwe Warriors showed their mettle, surviving a 'Survivor Series' and dusting themselves up, walking tall into the hostile Samuel Doe Stadium and even taking a first half lead through Knowledge Musona against all odds, before eventually ceding that lead due to a school-boy error by the goalkeeper, Washington Arubi.

Caretaker coach, former Zimbabwe captain, Norman Mapeza did a good job in trying to get something out of the players who endured so much negativity before the match.

Save for that, their finishing, particularly Knowledge Musona, was poor. Indeed, to add salt to injury, match officiating was appalling but the brave Warriors would have done themselves a big favour to wrap up the game and make it impossible for the referee to play a role in determining the final scoreline.

Whilst Zimbabwe's goal by Musona was a legitimate beauty, controversy surrounds Russian based Sekou Oliseh's equaliser with protests of an infringement on the goalkeeper Arubi, dominating the Warriors' response of the Liberians goal. However a closer look reveals that the Warriors keeper Washington Arubi was ball watching.

Instead of attacking the ball he was planted on the line, waiting for it. As he was about to collect the ball, the marauding figure of gifted Oliseh stole possession from him and knocked home the equaliser. overall performance from the Warriors was excellent though the strike force needs sharpening and the goalkeeper is great cause for concern given his aerial weaknesses.

God willing, you will be getting the visuals on your blog of choice. Was it wise for the coach to leave Ezrom Nyandoro and Benjani Mwaruwari from the team?

Warriors' Performance Against Liberia.

Nyandoro performing arts with Siyaya, years back.

The Zimbabwe Warriors showed their mettle, surviving a 'Survivor Series' and dusting themselves up, walking tall into the hostile Samuel Doe Stadium and even taking a first half lead through Knowledge Musona against all odds, before eventually ceding that lead due to a school-boy error by the goalkeeper, Washington Arubi.

Caretaker coach, former Zimbabwe captain, Norman Mapeza did a good job in trying to get something out of the players who endured so much negativity before the match.

Save for that, their finishing, particularly Knowledge Musona, was poor. Indeed, to add salt to injury, match officiating was appalling but the brave Warriors would have done themselves a big favour to wrap up the game and make it impossible for the referee to play a role in determining the final scoreline.

Whilst Zimbabwe's goal by Musona was a legitimate beauty, controversy surrounds Russian based Sekou Oliseh's equaliser with protests of an infringement on the goalkeeper Arubi, dominating the Warriors' response of the Liberians goal. However a closer look reveals that the Warriors keeper Washington Arubi was ball watching.

Instead of attacking the ball he was planted on the line, waiting for it. As he was about to collect the ball, the marauding figure of gifted Oliseh stole possession from him and knocked home the equaliser. overall performance from the Warriors was excellent though the strike force needs sharpening and the goalkeeper is great cause for concern given his aerial weaknesses.

God willing, you will be getting the visuals on your blog of choice. Was it wise for the coach to leave Ezrom Nyandoro and Benjani Mwaruwari from the team?

Warriors' Performance Against Liberia.

Nyandoro performing arts with Siyaya, years back.

The Zimbabwe Warriors showed their mettle, surviving a 'Survivor Series' and dusting themselves up, walking tall into the hostile Samuel Doe Stadium and even taking a first half lead through Knowledge Musona against all odds, before eventually ceding that lead due to a school-boy error by the goalkeeper, Washington Arubi.

Caretaker coach, former Zimbabwe captain, Norman Mapeza did a good job in trying to get something out of the players who endured so much negativity before the match.

Save for that, their finishing, particularly Knowledge Musona, was poor. Indeed, to add salt to injury, match officiating was appalling but the brave Warriors would have done themselves a big favour to wrap up the game and make it impossible for the referee to play a role in determining the final scoreline.

Whilst Zimbabwe's goal by Musona was a legitimate beauty, controversy surrounds Russian based Sekou Oliseh's equaliser with protests of an infringement on the goalkeeper Arubi, dominating the Warriors' response of the Liberians goal. However a closer look reveals that the Warriors keeper Washington Arubi was ball watching.

Instead of attacking the ball he was planted on the line, waiting for it. As he was about to collect the ball, the marauding figure of gifted Oliseh stole possession from him and knocked home the equaliser. overall performance from the Warriors was excellent though the strike force needs sharpening and the goalkeeper is great cause for concern given his aerial weaknesses.

God willing, you will be getting the visuals on your blog of choice. Was it wise for the coach to leave Ezrom Nyandoro and Benjani Mwaruwari from the team?

Warriors' Performance Against Liberia.

Nyandoro performing arts with Siyaya, years back.

The Zimbabwe Warriors showed their mettle, surviving a 'Survivor Series' and dusting themselves up, walking tall into the hostile Samuel Doe Stadium and even taking a first half lead through Knowledge Musona against all odds, before eventually ceding that lead due to a school-boy error by the goalkeeper, Washington Arubi.

Caretaker coach, former Zimbabwe captain, Norman Mapeza did a good job in trying to get something out of the players who endured so much negativity before the match.

Save for that, their finishing, particularly Knowledge Musona, was poor. Indeed, to add salt to injury, match officiating was appalling but the brave Warriors would have done themselves a big favour to wrap up the game and make it impossible for the referee to play a role in determining the final scoreline.

Whilst Zimbabwe's goal by Musona was a legitimate beauty, controversy surrounds Russian based Sekou Oliseh's equaliser with protests of an infringement on the goalkeeper Arubi, dominating the Warriors' response of the Liberians goal. However a closer look reveals that the Warriors keeper Washington Arubi was ball watching.

Instead of attacking the ball he was planted on the line, waiting for it. As he was about to collect the ball, the marauding figure of gifted Oliseh stole possession from him and knocked home the equaliser. overall performance from the Warriors was excellent though the strike force needs sharpening and the goalkeeper is great cause for concern given his aerial weaknesses.

God willing, you will be getting the visuals on your blog of choice. Was it wise for the coach to leave Ezrom Nyandoro and Benjani Mwaruwari from the team?