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Rasmussen Claims First IndyCar Win as ECR Shines in Milwaukee Breakthrough

Christian Rasmussen’s breakthrough win at the Milwaukee Mile was more than just a personal milestone—it was a moment of triumph for Ed Carpenter Racing (ECR) and a rare shared celebration with teammate Alexander Rossi. As Rasmussen climbed out of his No. 21 Chevrolet to mark his first-ever NTT IndyCar Series victory, Rossi was the first to congratulate him.

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Christian Rasmussen’s breakthrough win at the Milwaukee Mile was more than just a personal milestone—it was a moment of triumph for Ed Carpenter Racing (ECR) and a rare shared celebration with teammate Alexander Rossi. As Rasmussen climbed out of his No. 21 Chevrolet to mark his first-ever NTT IndyCar Series victory, Rossi was the first to congratulate him.

“Your first-career win is a moment you’ll obviously never forget,” Rossi said. “It’s huge for your career, and he’s been so good on the ovals this year.”

The win was a bright spot in a season that’s been full of ups and downs for ECR. Rossi acknowledged the significance of the moment not just for Rasmussen, but for the entire team: “It’s been a long time coming for ECR as well. It’s been a tough couple years for them. … It’s never an easy road and there’s a lot of work still in front of us. But it’s just an amazing accomplishment for the organization today.”

ECR entered 2025 with tempered expectations. The team had brought in Rossi—winner of the 2016 Indianapolis 500 and runner-up in the 2018 championship—to replace Rinus VeeKay. Despite his pedigree, Rossi had only one win in the previous five seasons and was joining a team that had managed just one podium in the last three years.

Back in January, Rossi told IndyCar.com he didn’t expect instant success: “not going to go from the results that have existed the past couple of years to all of a sudden winning every race,” but he believed there was “potential to surprise a lot of people at points.”

That potential came to life in Milwaukee. ECR executed a bold strategy that placed both cars in the top four, with Rasmussen stunning the field to claim his first win. Initially brought on in 2024 to race only on road and street circuits, Rasmussen wasn’t expected to compete on ovals—those were still Ed Carpenter’s domain. But after Carpenter stepped aside from oval duties in August 2024, Rasmussen quickly proved himself as a rising star on short ovals.

During Sunday’s race, Rossi led the ECR charge early, climbing from 12th to the top five by short-pitting the field. A brief rain shower late in the race allowed both drivers to pit for fresh tires with 28 laps to go. Rasmussen capitalized, vaulting from sixth to first. Rossi, meanwhile, couldn’t match the pace in the final stint and finished fourth, 11.45 seconds behind.

“We saved tires through practice for that scenario,” Rossi explained. “I just wish we were able to be a little bit stronger on that restart. Got caught up fighting Pato (O’Ward) a little bit.
“It is what it is. I mean, it still was the right call, obviously. It won the race.”

Despite missing out on the win himself, Rossi was visibly pleased with the team’s performance. Both drivers have had flashes of brilliance this season—Rossi started strong with three top 10s in four races and now has back-to-back top fives, while Rasmussen had already earned a podium at World Wide Technology Raceway and three top 10s in five starts before Milwaukee.

Until now, ECR hadn’t seen both drivers shine on the same weekend. Milwaukee changed that. It was the first time in 2025 that both finished in the top five—or even the top 10.

With just one race left in the season, the result gives ECR a much-needed boost and a shared achievement to build on after a year marked by isolated successes.

“There was a lot of missed opportunities this year,” Rossi admitted. “… There’s been some really good moments and really disappointing moments, but ultimately I think we knew that, especially on the ovals, the pace was in the car. We showed that today.”

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NetOne Launches ‘Big Beautiful Bundles’ to Power Zimbabwe’s Digital Future

NetOne has unveiled its latest innovation in mobile broadband: the Big Beautiful Bundles (BBB), a premium suite of high-capacity data packages tailored to meet the growing demands of Zimbabwe’s digital economy. With three competitively priced options—BBB100, BBB150, and BBB200—NetOne is positioning itself as the go-to provider for professionals, businesses, and data-intensive users.

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NetOne has unveiled its latest innovation in mobile broadband: the Big Beautiful Bundles (BBB), a premium suite of high-capacity data packages tailored to meet the growing demands of Zimbabwe’s digital economy. With three competitively priced options—BBB100, BBB150, and BBB200—NetOne is positioning itself as the go-to provider for professionals, businesses, and data-intensive users.

BBB100 offers a total of 100GB of data, which includes 80GB for peak hours and 20GB for off-peak usage (between 1 AM and 7 AM). This package is priced at $45.

BBB150 provides a total of 150GB, split into 100GB for peak hours and 50GB for off-peak usage. It is available for $80.

BBB200 delivers a massive 200GB of data, with 160GB allocated for peak hours and 40GB for off-peak usage. This premium package costs $130.

Each bundle is valid for 30 days and offers speeds of up to 15 Mbps, making them ideal for high-performance tasks like video conferencing, cloud computing, and large file transfers.

Designed for diverse needs, NetOne’s BBB isn’t just about data—it’s about enabling lifestyles and industries: With generous data volumes and high speeds, fans can stream live matches, follow real-time stats, and engage in fantasy leagues without buffering or data anxiety.

BBB supports seamless remote work, secure VPN access, and uninterrupted cloud operations. The off-peak allocation is perfect for overnight backups and software updates.

Students and educators benefit from reliable access to virtual classrooms, research databases, and educational videos, especially during off-peak hours when data usage is less congested.

NetOne CEO Engineer Raphael Mushanawani emphasized the strategic intent behind BBB:

“We have heard the calls from our business customers and professional segments for a robust, predictable, and high-speed data product, and we have responded.”

The launch marks a three-month promotional pilot, during which NetOne will collect user feedback to refine the offering. Customers can activate their preferred bundle via the *379# USSD menu.

With BBB, NetOne is not just selling data—it’s delivering a digital lifestyle. Whether you’re a startup founder, a football fanatic, or a university student, these bundles promise to keep you connected, productive, and entertained.

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Dynamos Edge Highlanders in Penalty Thriller to Reach Historic Third Chibuku Super Cup Final

They’ve done it again—Dynamos, the reigning kings of the Chibuku Super Cup, are back in the final for a record third straight year after surviving a tense penalty shootout against bitter rivals Highlanders.

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They’ve done it again—Dynamos, the reigning kings of the Chibuku Super Cup, are back in the final for a record third straight year after surviving a tense penalty shootout against bitter rivals Highlanders.

In a match that had all the ingredients of a classic rivalry—goals, drama, and nerve-shredding penalties—Dynamos held their nerve to win 5–3 in the shootout after the game ended 1–1 in regulation time at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday.

The Harare giants once again showcased their trademark composure in high-stakes moments, outlasting their fiercest rivals in a match that had everything: early fireworks, missed chances, physical battles, and a dramatic shootout. With back-to-back titles already under their belt, Dynamos now stand on the brink of a historic three-peat.

From the opening whistle, Dynamos signaled their intent. In the fourth minute, Emmanuel Jalai combined with Leroy Mavhunga to release Abel Gwatidzo, whose inviting cross went begging. The pressure mounted, and by the 14th minute, Vhusa Ngwenya was fouled just outside the box. Mavhunga’s curling free-kick tested the Highlanders’ defense, but Ariel Sibanda and his wall stood firm.

The breakthrough came moments later. Ngwenya took a quick free-kick near the halfway line, finding Jalai in space. The captain’s first touch was sublime, and his thunderous right-footed volley from distance rocketed into the top corner—an early contender for goal of the tournament.

Highlanders responded with growing confidence. Never Rauzhi’s dangerous cross was cleared, and Atusaye Nyondo’s header in the 34th minute forced a save from Prince Tafiremutsa. Rauzhi followed with a stinging shot that required a full-stretch dive, and just before halftime, Nyondo again tested the Dynamos keeper.

The second half saw Highlanders inject fresh legs with three substitutions. Adeogun fired wide from inside the box, while Dynamos nearly doubled their lead when Issaka Hammond’s tap-in struck the crossbar and Mavhunga’s rebound was blocked.

That missed chance proved costly. Andrew Mbeba found space on the right and delivered a pinpoint cross for Melikhaya Ncube, who rose above the defense to head home the equalizer.

With no extra time in this year’s format, the match went straight to penalties. Dynamos were flawless from the spot—Chiwunga, Jalai, Hammond, Pio, and Gwatidzo all converted with ice-cold precision. Highlanders matched them until the fourth round, but Prince Ndlovu’s effort rattled the crossbar, giving Dynamos the edge. Gwatidzo stepped up and sealed the win, sending the keeper the wrong way and Dynamos into yet another final.

Dynamos Line-Up:

Prince Tafiremutsa (T Makoni 90′), Emmanuel Jalai, Abel Gwatidzo, Clive Mandivei, Issaka Mohammed, Tellmore Pio, Vhusa Ngwenya (T Chiwunga 60′), Shadreck Nyahwa, Frank Agyemang, Felix Hammond, Leroy Mavunga (E Perezo 75′)

Highlanders Line-Up:

Ariel Sibanda, Arthur Ndlovu, Brian Mlotshwa, Reason Sibanda (B Adeogun 46′), Malvern Hativagoni (T Muvuti 46′), Marvin Sibanda (M Ncube 46′), Andrew Mbeba, Never Rauzhi (P Ndlovu 66′), Darlington Mukuli, Luckmore Mutumbi, Atusaye Nyondo (B Ncube 71′)

With the final looming, Dynamos will be eager to complete their treble and further cement their legacy in Zimbabwean football folklore. Dynamos will face Triangle in the final.

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ZIFA Fires Warriors Coach Michael Nees After World Cup Qualifying Disaster

Harare – The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has officially parted ways with Warriors head coach Michael Nees following a disastrous 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign that saw Zimbabwe finish bottom of Group C with no wins in ten matches.

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Harare The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has officially parted ways with Warriors head coach Michael Nees following a disastrous 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign that saw Zimbabwe finish bottom of Group C with no wins in ten matches.

By Sports Reporter

Appointed in July 2024, Nees was handed a dual mandate: to secure qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and to build a competitive squad for the World Cup qualifiers. While he successfully led the team to AFCON qualification, his performance in the World Cup campaign was deemed unacceptable by the ZIFA Executive Committee.

Zimbabwe’s Group C opponents included Benin, Lesotho, South Africa, Rwanda, and Nigeria. The Warriors failed to register a single win, drawing five matches and losing five, ending the campaign with just five points out of a possible 30. The team’s only victories under Nees came in back-to-back friendlies against Namibia, a side ranked significantly lower in the FIFA standings.

In a statement released Wednesday evening, ZIFA confirmed the termination of Nees’ contract with immediate effect:

“The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) wishes to inform all stakeholders and members of the public that the Executive Committee has resolved to terminate the contract of Mr. Michael Nees with immediate effect.

The Association takes this opportunity to sincerely thank Mr. Nees for his efforts and contributions to Zimbabwean football during his tenure. His dedication to the game and his service to the national structures are appreciated.”

ZIFA emphasized its commitment to technical development and restructuring, promising further updates on interim arrangements and the transition process in due course.

The search for Nees’ replacement is expected to begin immediately, with pressure mounting on ZIFA to find a candidate capable of restoring national pride and preparing the Warriors for AFCON 2025.

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