Sports
Dragons, Ajax, L-City steal the show as games resume
BY BHEKIMPILO WEZA
Mvuthu Soccer League’s Dragons, Ajax, and L- City were the top performers during the 16th round of fixtures played over the weekend after they collected maximum points.
The league compromising teams from rural wards surrounding the City of Victoria Falls resumed at the weekend after a long break due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Ajax match between Zamalek on Sunday attracted many people from the Mvuthu community.
It started with Zamalek almost stealing the show against the contenders for the log’s top spot in the fifth minute when Thinkwell Weza received a brilliant pass from Johna Ncube only to hit it wide of goal.
Two minutes later Zamalek were back again to haunt Ajax, this time with Derick Dube who broke loose but his shot went over the bar.
Zamalek, who were missing three key players at the centre back got cracked in the 17th minute when Ajax got their first corner kick that was delivered by Phathisa Nyathi and headed by Obrien Moyo.
Moyo’s ball took a deflection from the Alimarked Weza to beat Hosea Ndebele, the visiting team’s goalkeeper.
In the second half Zamalek immediately brought in Naboth Ncube for Njabulo Ncube to add more attackers, but the move backfired as Ajax got their second in the 79th minute.
Zamalek failed to clear their lines and allowed Ajax to squeeze the ball past a cluster of the opposition’s defenders to give them a clear 2- 0 lead.
Analysing the standout performance, Ajax coach Dumisani Moyo said he was pleased with the outcome.
” l can’t believe it,” he said. “l am happy with the boys, and we are looking forward to winning this league.”
Zamalek claimed that the thin squad contributed to their defeat.
“It was a bad day in the office, we were missing our key defenders and strikers,” Zamalek coach Alexander Weza said.
“My reserves never gave us what we wanted but it’s a game of football, three painful points dropped but we have to accept it and move on.”
In a Saturday match, Dragons stretched their lead after arm twisting second from bottom club Black Bulls.
In other matches, Power Stars were easily beaten by Masters from Chidobe in a match where Crispen Tembo scored a brace with Contastino Mapfumo getting the other goal.
In Lupinyo, Wounded Buffalo remained at 12 points after suffering defeat in the hands of L- City who beat them by two goals to one.
The other fixture was cancelled after the defending league champions, Red Wipers’ sponsor lost his mother.
The team had been scheduled to lock horns with the Eagles on Saturday.
BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
Blessing Waison and Fortunate Chidzivo took top honors at the 2025 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon yesterday, as Zimbabwean long-distance runners excelled at Africa’s most prestigious road race.
Econet General Manager – Marketing, Mrs Tariro Muchena (left), and Finance Director, Mr Chengeto Moyo, present the winner’s prize to men’s marathon champion, Blessing Waison, at the 2025 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon, while Victoria Falls Mayor, Mr Prince Moyo, looks on
The event, which featured athletes from over 40 countries, saw Waison storm to victory in the men’s full marathon, clocking 2 hours, 13 minutes, and 16 seconds. He narrowly beat decorated Olympian Isaac Mpofu in a thrilling duel that brought thousands of spectators to their feet.
Godwin Katakura followed closely in third, completing an all-Zimbabwean podium sweep in the 42.2km race. The trio’s success came with bigger rewards this year, after Econet Wireless doubled the total prize purse to $50,000.
Waison walked away with $3,000, while Mpofu and Katakura earned $2,000 and $1,500, respectively.
In the women’s marathon, Chidzivo delivered a commanding performance, clocking 2 hours and 42 minutes to claim another major title in her illustrious career. Ethel Pangiso and Phillipa Dube completed the women’s podium in second and third place, respectively.
Rising star Wayne Kabondo turned heads in the men’s 21km half marathon, overcoming a formidable field to finish in 1 hour, 3 minutes, and 44 seconds. Kabondo pocketed $1,500 for his efforts.
In the women’s 21km race, Caroline Mhandu crossed the line in 1 hour, 17 minutes, and 50 seconds, ahead of Miriam Sibanda and Melody Kaseke.
The marathon’s inclusive spirit was evident in the 18km Specially Abled Races, which saw uplifting performances across different categories. Godknows Hamadziripi claimed the men’s tricycle title, while Samson Muroyiwa won the handcycle event.
Among the women, Stella Jongwe triumphed in the handcycle race, and Ratidzo Tomu took first position in the tricycle category.
Organized by Econet Wireless in partnership with Wild Horizons, the 2025 edition drew over 5,000 participants and spectators from more than 40 countries. The marathon route, widely regarded as Africa’s most scenic, winds through game reserves and offers spectacular views of the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls.
https://x.com/vic_falls_live/status/1941861569450725776?s=46
Beyond the races, this year’s event featured live music, traditional dance, health expos, and community wellness activities.
-
Slider3 years agoInnscor launches brewery to produce Nyathi beer
-
National4 years agoIn perched rural Matabeleland North, renewable energy is vital
-
Tourism and Environment4 years agoStrive Masiyiwa’s daughter opens luxury Victoria Falls lodge
-
Opinion3 years agoA street art mural in Zimbabwe exposes a divided society
-
National3 years agoCommission of inquiry findings fail to be tabled as Victoria Falls councillors fight
-
National3 years agoVictoria Falls’ pilot dies in helicopter crash
-
National2 years agoHwange coal miner fires workers over salary dispute
-
Special reports4 years agoTinashe Mugabe’s DNA show’s popularity soars, causes discomfort for some