adminFriday Football Echoes
With destiny firmly in our own hands, the Warriors simply have to be masters of their own fate in the next four days, between Friday and Monday, by slaying Swaziland to keep ourselves in contention for qualification. If we believe, then we can achieve!
Go, Warriors, Go!
Goals, Warriors, Goals!
Derby rush for Rashford
The Manchester United teenage sensation has become the youngest scorer in the Manchester derby in Premier League history at the age of 18 years and 141 days when his first half minute strike settled the contest at Etihad on Sunday to give the red side of Manchester the bragging tight.
The fledgling Marcus has now scored more goals in his first eight Man U appearances than Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Antonie Martial.
And Rasford has earned himself kudos from David Beckham, who has hailed the impact the schoolboy has had on the Red Devils.
No men in the city for Man City
The Citizens and 2014 champions have now lost as many league games this season alone as they had in the previous four campaigns combined, to continue with their miserable home run, especially against the teams in the league’s Top 8.
Since the announcement that Josep Guardiola would take over at Etihad next season, Manchester City look like they are faltering. In that period, they have played seven home games, winning only two, drawing one and losing four.
Nothing homely about Mutare City Rovers’ home!
ESTEEMED followers of the game of football, thank you for finding time for interaction.
With the 2016-17 Premier Soccer League barely two weeks away from kicking off, newly-promoted outfit Mutare City Rover’s home ground – Sakubva Stadium – is in a deplorable state and badly crying out for a facelift. The stadium presently paints a picture of a dilapidated and neglected facility and many a local true friends of the game are worried if the stadium will meet the standard requirements when the PSL’s grounds inspection committee does its routine check and assessment before the new season begins.
From the pitch itself to the stadium’s environs, the facility does not look any bit like one that will host the country’s top-flight league matches.
A cursory check of the stadium has left Yours Truly deeply disturbed whether the custodians of the facility – Mutare City Counncil – are taking their own team’s participation in the league seriously because their home will inevitably be condemned and leave them with the unenviable situation, if Sakubva is not immediately attended to, of seeking alternative venues elsewhere; probably Rusape’s Vengere.
Now, would that be homely for Mutare City Rovers, a team making only their debut season in the top-tier league?
Gamechanger certainly thinks not.
You see, dear reader, what is worrying Yours Truly is that there was a similar occurrence last season when the PSL sanctioned that Sakubva Stadium be not used for Buffaloes’ home matches until the facility was hurriedly only patched up.
What did the custodians of the facility learn from that past incident?
For their own sake, that Mutare City Rovers – a wholly-owned City Council team – recently got promoted, Gamechanger would have expected the local authority to act with more impetus and ensure that their team’s home ground becomes somewhat homely!
And how does the present condition of Sakubva Stadium reflect on Mutare City Rovers’ state of preparedness for the approaching season?
It as sure as day follows night that some touch-ups shall be rendered onto the facility just to save it from condemnation, but will these be near-perfect renovations given the amount of time left before the ball gets rolled?
Again, Gamechanger wonders if the City Council did not get some levy from Buffaloes’ use of Sakubva last season and if they, indeed, did, to what use was the money put?
Also, how does the local authority expect to attract both private and corporate partnerships who erect billboards to promote and market their goods and services when the advertising space on the stadium is not appealing?
Below, Gamechanger lists some of the noted grey areas on Sakubva Stadium that require urgent attention:
1.Pitch looks pathetic, with dry patches of lawn, mounds of earth and potholes strewn over it
2.Perimeter fence almost razed to the ground in some parts, mostly on the Eastern end that usually houses home fans
3Toilets out of order, with most, especially on the Northern end, overgrown with grass
4.Precast wall surrounding the stadium rundown in most parts
5.Litter usually scattered all over the terraces
6.Drainage system around the pitch and stadium malfunctioning
7.Security laxity, which has left the facility at the mercy of vandals through misuse and abuse of abulition facilities. The stadium has also been turned into a recreational facility
All hail Mighty Warriors
Zimbabwe’s senior women football team advanced to the final qualification round of the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations after being held 1-1 at home by Tanzania on Sunday, but progressing 3-2 on aggregate, to set up a date with northern neighbours Zambia for a potentially explosive Battle of Zambezi.
The Mighty Warriors will be out to gain a measure of revenge on Shepolopolo after being dumped out in the 2014 qualifiers of the same tournament.
It’s Game On, Play On!
For feedback, send your views, comments and contributions through WhatsApp or sms on 0733 576 259 or e-mail: [email protected]
Online Reporter