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Young Warriors Face Uphill Battle After Frustrating COSAFA U17 Group A Results

Zimbabwe’s hopes of advancing in the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations | COSAFA Qualifiers took a major hit this week after back-to-back matches at Ngoni MWOS Stadium yielded just a single point from a possible six. Following a narrow 0-1 defeat to Mozambique on Thursday and a goalless draw against Eswatini on Saturday, the Young Warriors now sit at the bottom of Group A with slim chances of progressing to the semifinals.

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HARARE – Zimbabwe’s hopes of advancing in the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations | COSAFA Qualifiers took a major hit this week after back-to-back matches at Ngoni MWOS Stadium yielded just a single point from a possible six. Following a narrow 0-1 defeat to Mozambique on Thursday and a goalless draw against Eswatini on Saturday, the Young Warriors now sit at the bottom of Group A with slim chances of progressing to the semifinals.

Zimbabwe opened their campaign with promise, showing early attacking intent. Tadiwa Chakuchichi nearly gave the hosts the lead in the 4th minute, but his shot missed the target. Just four minutes later, a defensive lapse allowed Mozambique to score the game’s only goal.

Despite dominating possession and creating multiple chances—through Jameson Nduna’s long-range efforts and Chakuchichi’s persistent runs—Zimbabwe couldn’t find the equalizer. Coach substitutions brought fresh legs in the second half, but even Darrel Zulu’s late strike in the 88th minute couldn’t change the outcome. Mozambique’s time-wasting tactics further disrupted Zimbabwe’s rhythm, and the match ended 0-1.

Needing a win to revive their campaign, Zimbabwe returned to Ngoni MWOS Stadium on Saturday to face Eswatini. In front of a capacity crowd, the Young Warriors struggled to break down a disciplined Eswatini defense. Much of the play was congested in midfield, and clear-cut chances were few and far between.

Despite the passionate support from home fans, Zimbabwe couldn’t capitalize on their momentum. The 0-0 draw left them with just one point from two matches, while Comoros and Mozambique now lead the group with four points each.

With one round of fixtures remaining, Zimbabwe must win their final match against Comoros and hope goal difference swings in their favor. The pressure is immense, but the Young Warriors have shown flashes of brilliance. If they can convert their chances and tighten up defensively, there’s still a glimmer of hope.

Group A Standings (After Two Rounds)

TeamPointsGoal Difference
Mozambique4+1
Comoros40
Eswatini10
Zimbabwe1-1

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Arsenal Beat Chelsea to Reach Carabao Cup Final

Arsenal secured their place in the Carabao Cup final after defeating Chelsea 1–0 in the second leg of the semi-final at the Emirates Stadium. The victory sealed a 4–2 aggregate win for the Gunners, booking their first domestic cup final appearance since 2020.

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Kai Havertz

Arsenal secured their place in the Carabao Cup final after defeating Chelsea 1–0 in the second leg of the semi-final at the Emirates Stadium. The victory sealed a 4–2 aggregate win for the Gunners, booking their first domestic cup final appearance since 2020.

The reigning Premier League leaders will face either Manchester City or Newcastle United in the final, scheduled for March 22, 2026, at Wembley Stadium.

Arsenal’s disciplined performance ensured they held off Chelsea’s late pressure, with the decisive goal in the 97th minute by Kai Havertz proving enough to send Mikel Arteta’s side through to a much-anticipated showdown at Wembley.

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Nakamba Signs with Sheffield Wednesday

Sheffield Wednesday, a Championship (English second-tier) club, has signed Zimbabwe international Marvelous Nakamba on a deal until the end of the season after he was released by League One (English third tier) side Luton Town FC.

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Sheffield Wednesday, a Championship (English second-tier) club, has signed Zimbabwe international Marvelous Nakamba on a deal until the end of the season after he was released by League One (English third tier) side Luton Town FC.

The club confirmed the latest development on their social media platforms.

Sheffield Wednesday are currently at the bottom of the table (24th place) with –7 points after 29 matches.

The Sky Bet Championship club was last year deducted 12 points for multiple breaches of EFL regulations relating to the payment of players.

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When Moroccan Journalists Walked Out… A Sad Day for AFCON and Media Ethics

On Sunday night, Senegal etched their name into African football history by clinching their second AFCON trophy in a decade. Led by captain Sadio Mané, the Lions of Teranga defeated hosts Morocco 1–0 in a dramatic final that will be remembered for both its footballing brilliance and its controversies.

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On Sunday night, Senegal etched their name into African football history by clinching their second AFCON trophy in less than five years, having won the previous one in 2021. Led by Sadio Mané, the Lions of Teranga defeated hosts Morocco 1–0 in a dramatic final that will be remembered for both its footballing brilliance and its controversies.

By Tongai Mwenje

The decisive moment came in the 94th minute when Pape Gueye struck the winning goal, sending Senegalese fans into wild celebrations. Just minutes earlier, the match had been overshadowed by a contentious penalty awarded to Morocco while the score was still goalless.

In protest against the decision, Senegal coach Pape Thiaw and his players, except captain Mané, walked off the pitch, halting the game for nearly fifteen minutes. Eventually, they returned to allow Morocco to take the spot kick. Real Madrid’s Brahim Díaz stepped up to face Senegal’s goalkeeper, former Chelsea man Édouard Mendy. Attempting a Panenka, Díaz saw his effort easily saved, setting the stage for Gueye’s late strike that sealed Senegal’s triumph.

The drama did not end on the pitch. When the victorious coach Thiaw arrived for his post-match press conference, smiling, holding a young girl, and waving to foreign journalists who applauded him, the local Moroccan press staged a walkout. Packing up their equipment, they exited the room, leaving behind a scene of confusion and disappointment. The press conference was ultimately cancelled.

This act of protest by Moroccan journalists blurred the line between professional reporting and activism. Journalism is guided by ethics, truth, fairness, independence, and accountability. Walking out rather than questioning the coach directly undermined these principles. If concerns existed, they should have been raised through dialogue, not through symbolic gestures that silenced the exchange of information.

By abandoning their role as impartial observers, the journalists acted more like activists than professionals. Their behaviour cast a shadow over what should have been a celebration of African football and highlighted the importance of media ethics in safeguarding the integrity of the profession.

It was, indeed, a sad day for the beautiful game.

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