ZVISHAVANE – Rising defending midfielder Gerald Takwara looks set to leave the country for the ABSA Premiership after impressing in the trials at Ajax Cape Town, and negotiations are said to be going on well.
Takwara has been on the radar of many South African clubs and he missed the last two league matches as he was undergoing assessment at the Urban Warriors.
The 23-year old player emerged as one of the rising stars in the country while he was playing for Tsholotsho FC before moving to FC Platinum in July 2015. He was the nucleus of Zimbabwe’s midfield during the Warriors’ successful Cosafa campaign held in South Africa in July.
FC Platinum spokesperson Chido Chizondo confirmed that they were willing to let go of one of their best players provided a lucrative deal is placed on the table by Ajax Cape Town who are said to have been impressed by the player’s elegant displays.
“We have opened negotiations with Ajax after they assessed him and they are convinced they want his services. We value him very much so he might go or he might not go,” said Chizondo.
Pure Platinum have already lost two of their top players to South African teams with Talent Chawapiwa, who joined Baroka FC last month on a three-year deal, being the latest.
Chawapiwa caught the eyes of the South Africans with his good performance at Cosafa while Walter Musona joined Polokwane City earlier on during the January transfer window.
Takwara missed what could possibly have been his last match for the platinum miners when they won 1-0 against Triangle FC at Gibbo Stadium last weekend.sport

Brighton Chiseva

ZAKA – Runyange Football Club lifted Mutumba Trophy after beating Ndanga Football Club with a goal to nil in the finals held at Mutimwi High School on Sunday.
In the women category, Chando were crowned champions after beating Chivata in the finals while Chinounye came third.
The tournament is sponsored by Zaka Rural District Council (RDC) Ward 4 councillor and businessman Fanuel Tichaurawa, who is popularly known as Mutumba.
The competitions were graced by many people, among them Nicholas Mambanje, a lecturer at Morgenster Teachers’ College Nicholas Mambanje, who holds a Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) level 1-4 and Confederation of African Football (CAF) C licence.
Runyange dismissed Rwonzi Stars with a goal to nil in the quarter finals before defeating Ndanga Royal Trophy holders, Chinounye Stars FC, with the same margin.
Ndanga FC had secured their ticket to the finals after beating Rusakazara 3-0 in the quarter finals before dismissing Sagope 4-2 in penalty shootouts after their match in the semis had ended with a nil all draw.
Interestingly, last year’s champions Bush Walkers FC were knocked-out in the group stages.
Runyange captain, Wiseman Gwendere was pleased with the win which he said had come as a result of hard work.
“We won because of team work. We worked hard and we exploited our home advantage in the presence of many of our fans who supported us immensely.
On his part, Mutumba said he had been sponsoring the tournament since 1995 and was happy to continue making his contribution to community development through sports.
“I am happy that this trophy is making a difference. This is the 22nd edition of the trophy and many people have been taken to bigger teams after they had proved their talents here,” said Tichaurawa.sport

Brighton Chiseva

MASVINGO – Academy 2063, a national soccer academy, is scouting for talent in the province and has shortlisted youngsters below the age of 14 who are camped at Vitoria High School for final selection process.
Of the shortlisted children, 20 are from schools in Masvingo town and 15 are from other districts in the province.
Some children who played at the Mayor’s Junior Tournament held at Mucheke Stadium made it to Victoria High School where they stand a chance of being selected.
They include Tendai Chorwira from Francis Aphiri, Leeroy Zacharia from Dikwindi, Sean Tagarisa from Chikato, Tinashe Dune from Don Bosco and Anopa Muzira from Gokomere Primary School.
Transport and food for the shortlisted people has been provided by the academy and while those who come on their own are provided with accommodation.
Academy 2063 Masvingo provincial coach Ezekiel Mutoda said those who get selected will be transferred to Selborne Primary School while those at secondary school will go to Prince Edward.
“Our president, Regis Dzenge will in the future identify two other schools in Masvingo where local children with soccer talent will be placed and there will no longer be need for them to travel to Harare,” said Mutoda.
Mutoda, Wilson Chinosengwa and Patson Ndabambi, who is the academy’s technical director, and other coaches from Harare are in charge of the selection process.sport