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Zimbabwe Fall Short in COSAFA U17 Group A Opener Against Mozambique

The match began with Zimbabwe showing early intent. In the 4th minute, Tadiwa Chakuchichi came close to opening the scoring, but his shot narrowly missed the target. Just minutes later, a defensive lapse in Zimbabwe’s box allowed Mozambique to capitalize and take the lead in the 8th minute.

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HARARE – Zimbabwe’s campaign in the Group A stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations | COSAFA Qualifiers at Ngoni Mwos Stadium in Harare, Zimbabwe on Thursday got off to a rocky start as they suffered a narrow 0-1 defeat to Mozambique. Despite a spirited performance and several promising chances, the Warriors were unable to find the back of the net.

The match began with Zimbabwe showing early intent. In the 4th minute, Tadiwa Chakuchichi came close to opening the scoring, but his shot narrowly missed the target. Just minutes later, a defensive lapse in Zimbabwe’s box allowed Mozambique to capitalize and take the lead in the 8th minute.

Chakuchichi remained a constant threat, earning a free kick in the 11th minute after being brought down during an attacking run. Zimbabwe continued to press, with Jameson Nduna attempting a long-range effort in the 24th minute and Chakuchichi again coming close in the 34th. However, the finishing touch eluded them.

A foul on Darrel Zulu in the 36th minute gave Zimbabwe another chance from a set piece, but Nduna’s effort failed to trouble the keeper. The first half ended with Zimbabwe trailing 0-1, despite dominating possession and creating more chances.

Coach adjustments came swiftly in the second half, with Fortune Ncube replacing James Mautsa at the restart. Further substitutions followed, including Irvine Mtungwazi for Nduna and a double switch in the 75th minute bringing on Tapiwa Gutu and Dywane Musona.

As the clock ticked down, Zimbabwe intensified their efforts. Darrel Zulu fired a powerful shot in the 88th minute that skimmed just wide, epitomizing the team’s frustration in front of goal. Mozambique, meanwhile, slowed the tempo, with four of their players down in the 86th minute, disrupting Zimbabwe’s rhythm.

Seven minutes of added time offered a glimmer of hope, but the final whistle confirmed Zimbabwe’s defeat. Despite their dominance in midfield and attacking intent, the Young Warriors were unable to overturn the early setback.

Zimbabwe now turn their attention to their next Group A fixture against Eswatini, scheduled for Saturday at Ngoni MWOS Stadium with kickoff at 15:00hrs. With lessons learned and renewed determination, the team will be eager to bounce back and keep their tournament hopes alive.

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Football

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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