All work and little play for Zim stars

Sports Reporters

Long-distance runner Isaac Mpofu is a man of few words.

He prefers to do all his talking on the track.

Together with Chevrons’ all-rounder Sikandar Raza, Mpofu is coming off what could best be described as a December to remember. Days before the world came together to celebrate Christmas, World Athletics released the qualifying standards for the 2024 Olympics, and Mpofu made the grade.

It means the athlete has qualified for the Paris Games. Mpofu finished 12th at the Valencia Marathon with a time of two hours, 26 minutes and 50 seconds, with both his time and the event falling within the qualifying standards and time for the Games.

Raza, on the other hand, realised his lifelong dream of gracing the Indian Premier League (IPL), when he was snatched up by the Punjab Kings.

He was also shortlisted for ICC Men’s T20 and One-Day International Player of the Year.

Further, the 36-year-old Chevrons’ all-rounder made it into the ICC Men’s Team of the Year. Ordinarily, both achievements would be worth celebrating during the festive period, but not for the duo.

“No, it didn’t really change anything,” Mpofu said of his qualification for the Olympics.

“I just had a good time with my family and friends.”

Mpofu is cognisant of the fact that there is still plenty of work to be done before the Olympics. “Yes, I am happy that I managed to qualify. At least now I don’t have that pressure going forward.

“However, nothing has changed.

“While I think I have improved on my times and clocked personal best in all of my races, I haven’t reached the Olympic levels yet.

“I need to work on my positions; that’s where I think the fight is if I am to get on the podium,” he said. The Zimbabwe cricket quartet of Raza, Blessing Muzarabani, Ryan Burl and Sean Williams were also busy preparing for club cricket after clinching contracts with different clubs in Bangladesh, Nepal, United Arab Emirates and Pakistan.

However, some of Zimbabwe’s top sports personalities had the opportunity to relax and enjoy with their families.

With basketball and cricket taking a break, it was time for some holiday cheer.

“We had a lovely holiday, which saw most of the family members dotted around the world congregating in Nyanga, and I think in total we were about 48 people at home celebrating Christmas,” said Southern Rocks batter Brian Mudzinganyama.

“It was amazing. I am looking forward to 2023 in terms of my career.

“Firstly, I want to make a difference for my team Southern Rocks when the domestic season resumes.  “I also want to work as hard as possible to have a dance with the national team, as it is every player’s dream.”

Basketball starlet Tadiwa Mabika, who plies her trade for UZ Sparks in the newly established Harare Basketball Association (HBA) Super 6 League, said she will spend her holiday with family. Mabika recently put her name in the history books when she became the first player, male or female, to score a triple-double in the new HBA Super 6 era.

She scored 23 points and had 10 steals and 16 rebounds during her team’s 51-59 loss to the Vixens just before the league took a break for the holidays. The loss signalled the end of UZ Sparks’ seven-game unbeaten run during the league’s opening fixtures. “It has been a gruelling start to the season, with high-level games week in, week out, and I am looking forward to just relaxing and catching my breath during the break,” she said.

“I will, maybe, spend time with the family before we begin training for the resumption of the league.

“There are a couple of areas we need to work on, like our transitional basketball and fitness levels.”

CAPS United midfielder Devon Chafa, former Warriors left-back Ronald Pfumbidzai and two-time Soccer Star of the Year winner Rodwell Chinyengetere always have unique Christmas holidays as they were born on December 25.

Chafa, who holds the most championship medals in the Premier Soccer League, spent his Christmas holiday at his mother’s place in Mbare.

“It has been one of the most hectic of years for me and I feel the break was well-deserved,” said Chafa.

“It was a break in which I get to press the restart button.

“On Christmas holiday, I went to my mother’s place in Mbare together with my family and celebrated the day there.

“Yesterday (Friday), I was at my Apostolic shrine, where we had a church service, thanking the Lord for the past year, while we prayed for a good one ahead of us.

“In the next year, I am looking forward to winning the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, retaining my position as the most decorated player in the Premier Soccer League,” he said.

Another footballer who had an extra-special Christmas holiday was Kundai Benyu.

It was the first time he got to spend the day and holiday in Zimbabwe.

“This was my first Christmas here in Zimbabwe,” said Benyu, who plays for Iceland’s top-flight side IBV.

“It was a relaxed and chilled Christmas and I really enjoyed the weather, which was sunny.

“I have always had some cold ones and it was a different experience this time around.

“I spent the day with my family, did some swimming and a braai, obviously.

“It was a good Christmas,” said the former Celtics midfielder.

As for his 2023 resolutions and plans, Benyu said: “I am looking forward to a better year ahead, and I am well-rested.

“Since we went on a break, I have been doing some gym, and I am looking forward to joining my teammates in Iceland,” he said.

Dynamos new coach Herbert Maruwa took the holidays as an opportunity for some downtime, as he travelled to Victoria Falls with his family.

“My holiday was hectic, but I managed to go to have some rest and fresh air with the family in Victoria Falls,” said Maruwa.

“As you know, you need to refresh after a long year, and now I am preparing for the 2023 season. I have to make sure we build a strong team that can compete.

“I am looking forward to the challenge. We have to start work as soon as possible, as we move forward and see how we can strengthen the squad.”