African Sports Insights

BULAWAYO – Vihaan Malhotra’s sublime century backed by an all-round bowling effort sealed a 204 run victory for India over Zimbabwe in their Super Six encounter of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026 here at the Queens Sports Club on Tuesday.   Set daunting 353, Zimbabwe innings folded for mere 148 run total in 37.4 overs.   Pacers RS Ambrish and Henil Patel made early inroads, removing Nathaniel Hlabangana and Dhruv Patel  inside first three overs.   The third wicket fell in th

According to reports, Ulster Rugby are set to strengthen their second-row resources with the signing of Zimbabwean lock Eli Snyman, it understood the deal is expected to be confirmed in the coming days if it materialises.   South African outlet Rapport has reported that Snyman has agreed a two-year contract with the Irish province and will arrive ahead of next season.   While Ulster have yet to formally announce the move, all indications are that the 29-year-old is poised to

HARARE – Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has appointed left-arm fast bowler Richard Ngarava as the national team’s new Test and One-Day International (ODI) captain, with Brian Bennett named as vice-captain.       The appointments were confirmed at the ZC Board’s fourth-quarter meeting held in Harare on Friday.       Ngarava replaces veteran batter Craig Ervine, who steps down after leading the side through a key rebuilding phase.       ZC Chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani congratulated the n

BY SPORTSCAST WRITER   JOHANNESBURG – A raft of measures, to turn around the finances of rugby on the continent, are well underway under the stewardship of Rugby Africa president Herbert Mensah.   Delivering a message last week as the year comes to an end, Ghanaian entrepreneur Mensah emphasised the need for a mindset change on the continent for rugby to attract major investment and achieve financial independence.   “Anybody who knows me well enough will understand that I hav

BY TINO MOMBESHORA   HARARE – The raging debate over the selection of Zimbabwe’s team for the forthcoming Under-19 Cricket World Cup has highlighted yet another rot in the game in our country.   The bias and nepotism in the team’s selection is shockingly obvious and blatant.   Clearly, coach Elton Chigumbura has ignored any other players outside his close circles and his own Elton Chigumbura Academy. It’s scandalous, and I not proud to call that squad my national team.   If y

Alex Nicholls is one of four legendary Zimbabwean rugby players (alongside Craig Brown, Andy Ferreira and the late Richard Tsimba) to feature in both previous World Cup tournaments for the Sables in 1987 and 1991. The former prop and later national team coach has expressed his elation following Zimbabwe’s historic qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Australia, 34 years after their class of 1991 last took the nation to the sport’s biggest showpiece.   Below is a verbatim t

BY ENOCK MUCHINJO A young Piet Benade (sitting on the ground, extreme right) with the Bryden Country School Colts team in 1992. HARARE – Early 90s ushered in a glorious era for sport in Zimbabwe, a period full of hope and promise.   In 1992, the Southern African nation was celebrating being granted Test status by the International Cricket Council (ICC), after much waiting, following years of being turned down.   The same year, the national football team had given South Africa

BY ENOCK MUCHINJO Zimbabwe edged continental rivals Namibia 30-28 in the Rugby Africa Cup final in Uganda in July to qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Australia. HARARE – Former Zimbabwe rugby captain Kennedy Tsimba says the Sables’ resurgence over the past few years has given them a fighting chance of challenging their more fancied opponents at the World Cup in 2027. Returnees Zimbabwe were placed in a tough Group F alongside England, Wales and Tonga in a draw held in host c

BY HERBERT MENSAH ACCRA, Ghana – As 2025 comes to an end, and following the successful hosting of major rugby tournaments across the continent, Rugby Africa president Herbert Mensah has reflected on what has been a fruitful year for the game under his stewardship.   Below is the text version of a recorded speech delivered by Mensah:   My mantra, since I became president, before I became president, is that sport is big business.   For those who have worked with me over the las

BY PROSPER TSVANHU HARARE – The lament has become a dreadful fixture in the cricketing calendar: another talented man, his spirit bruised and his professional tenure curtailed, lost to the bleak, corrosive call of addiction.     To hear of Sean Williams, the long-serving, tough-as-nails all-rounder born and bred in the City of Kings of Bulawayo, entering rehabilitation and making himself unavailable for the national cause is not merely the end of a career; it is a tragedy of

BY SPORTSCAST WRITER HARARE – Ace Zimbabwe cricketer Sean Williams, one of the longest-serving players in world cricket, has been banned from playing for the country again after admitting to drug addiction and voluntarily withdrawing himself from the side.   The 39-year-old batsman and spin bowler removed himself from the Zimbabwe squad on the eve of the T20 World Cup qualification tournament in Harare in September, in hitherto unclear circumstances. He also missed the recent

HARARE – Afghanistan cruised to a series victory over Zimbabwe, with Ibrahim Zadran backing up a disciplined bowling performance with a half-century of his own. Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, Abdollah Ahmadzai and Rashid Khan had limited the hosts to 125 all out in Harare, setting up a straight-forward chase.   Zimbabwe tried to do the right thing. Their batters realised the importance of getting set. They attempted to regroup when wickets fell. There was no collapse this time, but there

BY BRUCE GROBBELAAR LIVERPOOL – There comes a moment in every nation’s story when reflection must give way to renewal - when we stop asking what went wrong and start working together to make it right.   For Zimbabwean football, that time is now.   Over recent months, I have watched with pride and admiration as president Nqobile Magwizi and the current Zifa board begin to rebuild the foundations of our game.    For too long, Zimbabwean football has carried the scars of divisio

BY ENOCK MUCHINJO   HARARE – Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott has hit out at the country’s cricket board over overbearing interference in team selection following the Asian side’s heavy Test defeat to Zimbabwe inside two-and-a-half days.   Zimbabwe on Wednesday afternoon wrapped up a thumping innings and 73-run win at Harare Sports Club led by a maiden Test century from man-of-the-match Ben Curran, the brother of England players Sam and Tom Curran.   Former England batsman Tr

Kennedy Tsimba plays here for Zimbabwe, in a Sables' change strip, against Côte d'Ivoire during Africa's 1999 World Cup qualification competition in Morocco in 1998. BY ENOCK MUCHINJO HARARE – World Rugby Hall of Famer and former Zimbabwe captain Kennedy Tsimba has jested that he could “sneak” into the Sables’ 2027 World Cup squad if he impresses in a legends match in Bloemfontein on Sunday. 51-year-old Tsimba will play in his trademark flyhalf position for Bulls Legends agai

HARARE – It took Zimbabwe less than three hours on the third day to claim their first home Test win since 2013, their first innings win since 2001 and their biggest Test win. Richard Ngarava was the star, where in overcast conditions he took his first five-wicket haul in Tests. His movement through the air and off the pitch never looked exaggerated, but it was relentless enough to break the game open and leave Zimbabwe with a win by an innings and 73 runs against a listless A