African Sports Insights

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

HARARE – Ben Curran scored his maiden test century to help his side to a 198-run lead over Afghanistan on the second day of the one-off test in Harare, with the visitors 34-1 in their second innings at the close on Tuesday. The 29-year-old Curran, brother of England players Sam and Tom Curran, made 121 as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 359 in response to Afghanistan's 127 all out at the Harare Sports Club. Curran, whose father Kevin also played for Zimbabwe, featured in a 99-ru

HARARE – Brad Evans took five wickets on his return to the Zimbabwe team to skittle out Afghanistan for 127 runs and put the home side in a commanding position after the first day's play at the Harare Sports Club on Monday. Zimbabwe, who won the toss and put the tourists in to bat in the one-off test, were 130-2 in reply at the close of play with Ben Curran 52 not out and Brandon Taylor unbeaten on 18. Nick Welch had been caught behind on 14 but Ismat Alam overstepped the mar

BY ENOCK MUCHINJO HARARE – Often when an exciting young talent bursts onto the scene, he creates suspense all round. Brian Bennett falls...

BY ENOCK MUCHINJO HARARE – Jolly Brian Makamure literally sang Zimbabwe’s way to the Rugby World Cup. The veteran prop didn’t feature in...

HARARE - An outstanding unbeaten 74 from Tadiwanashe Marumani (pictured) powered Zimbabwe to a thrilling seven-wicket victory over...

BY SPORTSCAST WRITER HARARE – Zimbabwe is hosting cricket’s Over-60s Africa Cup starting this weekend until 10 October at Old Georgians...

BY SPORTSCAST WRITER HARARE – On 13 July this year, Zimbabwe beat Kenya 29-23 in the semi-finals of the Rugby Africa Cup in Uganda in the...