Harare win Clash of the Cities

Kusile Madlela Sports Reporter
HARARE beat Bulawayo 8-2 in the first encounter of the pool Clash of the Cities at Sunset Sports Bar in North End. Bulawayo Professional Pool Players’ Association (BPPPA) public relations officer Tapiwa Sikwila said the clash was organised by the BPPPA and Harare Professional Pool Players’ Association (HPPPA) as part of their initiatives to offer players new challengers.

“This is the first initiative we’ve organised for players to come and give each other new competition. This hones the skills of players because there’s no learning when you face the same opponents week in week out. You need to get new challenges that’ll help you grow as player,” said Sikwila.

Paul “Macheso” Mutizo, who led the Bulawayo team, said they were unlucky to be on the receiving end because his players tried all sorts of tricks that did not work.

“The boys did their best. At one time we were 1-4 down and although we fought hard, we lost our rhythm and our psychological strength deserted us,” said Mutizo.

He said they would train harder in a bid to avenge their defeat when they clash in the second leg in two weeks’ time away in the capital.

Hilary Mukwamuri, who led the Harare team to victory, expressed satisfaction with their performances and said he looked forward to their continued dominance of Bulawayo in the return leg. “We played a brilliant game today and we showed our brothers that we mean business. The victory was a resounding one because of the commitment our players showed,” said Mukwamuri.

He said they would not be taking Bulawayo for granted but would just be out to win the series.