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Jordan Zemura: Wing-back hopes to be Zimbabwe’s ‘main man’

Published

4 years ago

November 8, 2021

BY STANLEY KWENDA

Zimbabwe international Jordan Zemura has expressed his desire to become a key part of the Warriors set-up, as the team return to action in this month’s World Cup qualifiers.

The 21-year-old Bournemouth wing-back made his Zimbabwe debut in November last year during an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against reigning African champions Algeria.

“I’ve got to try and be the main man,” Zemura, who was born in London to Zimbabwean parents, told BBC Sport Africa.

“Not to be egoistic but I want to help my country. I want to do everything I can in every single game,”

As they prepare for January’s Africa Cup of Nations, Zimbabwe finish their disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign this week with games against South Africa and Ethiopia.

Zemura, who has played for the Warriors four times, has been in fine form for Bournemouth in the Championship, scoring three goals in 15 games.

He now hopes to transfer that rich vein of form to the national team.

“I’ve got to set an example for other players and say ‘Listen, I have been doing well here and I want to show you guys that it’s just through hard work’,” he said.

“‘Every game I am out there, [I have] the pride of playing for your nation, your mother’s home’. I’ve really got that exuberance, that energy to want to perform.”

Zimbabwe are out of contention for next year’s World Cup in Qatar after a dismal qualifying campaign but Zemura feels the Warriors are on the right path despite the set-back.

“We have had a few tough games against Ghana and Algeria, really strong teams, but I felt from both games we took so much – we are on the right way,” said Zemura, adding that he hopes to play for Zimbabwe at future tournaments.

“For me it’s how many appearances I can get, how many tournaments I can reach. I am still waiting for my first goal. Hopefully in the next camp, I can get that.”

Zimbabwe’s World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Ethiopia take place on Thursday 11 and Sunday 14 November respectively.

Barring any injuries, the Cherries defender is set to earn further caps as Zimbabwe start preparing for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

The Warriors have been drawn in Group B alongside Senegal, Guinea and Malawi for the tournament, which starts on January 9. – BBC Africa

In the community

Hwange police seek public’s help in locating missing teen

Published

2 days ago

May 15, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

The Hwange police are urgently seeking the public’s assistance in locating 16-year-old Latoya Lisa Munkuli, who went missing on May 7, this month.

Latoya, a dark-complexioned female juvenile, was last seen leaving her residence in Hwange around 4 pm.

She was wearing a distinctive outfit consisting of green trousers and a white T-shirt, and carried a black satchel. She stands approximately 1.6 meters tall.

Inspector Glory Banda of the Hwange police is leading the investigation and urges anyone with information about Latoya’s whereabouts to come forward.

If you have any information about Latoya’s disappearance, please contact Inspector Banda on 0785961747 or 0771256607.

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

1 month ago

April 16, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

A National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) locomotive suffered significant damage after catching fire while transporting export coal to Zambi. The incident occurred between Kalala and Matetsi sidings, resulting in the explosion of the locomotive’s fuel tanks.

According to the NRZ press statement on Monday, “A National Railways of Zimbabwe locomotive suffered some damages after it caught fire this afternoon while transporting export coal to Zambia.” Fortunately, the crew members on board managed to escape unharmed.

The NRZ responded swiftly to the incident, dispatching a rescue train with crews to the site. The team successfully extinguished the fire, preventing further damage. However, the locomotive itself sustained considerable damage.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, with investigations currently underway. “Investigations are already underway to establish the cause of the fire and the amount of damage to the locomotive,” the NRZ statement read.

In the community

Human-wildlife conflict claims 18 lives in Zimbabwe’s first quarter

Published

1 month ago

April 16, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has reported a disturbing trend of human-wildlife conflict in the country’s first quarter of 2025. According to the authority, 18 people have lost their lives, and 32 others have been injured in encounters with wildlife.

ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo revealed that the authority received 579 cases of human-wildlife conflict, which they managed to respond to promptly. The incidents have also resulted in significant livestock losses, with at least 53 cattle and 85 goats killed by wildlife.

The districts most affected by these incidents include Binga, Hwange, Kariba, Chiredzi, Hurungwe, Nyaminyami, and Mbire. ZimParks has been working tirelessly to raise awareness about wildlife behaviors and effective preventive measures in these areas.

In response to the crisis, ZimParks has translocated 129 animals back into protected areas and eliminated 158 animals deemed problematic.

“We encourage communities to continue reporting incidents to ZimParks Problem Animal Control numbers and local leadership, such as Councillors, Traditional Leaders, and Rural District Council Authorities, to ensure that we preserve lives,” Farawo urged.

The significant increase in livestock losses, with cattle deaths rising from 18 to 53 and goat deaths from 21 to 85 compared to the same period in 2024, highlights the growing challenge of human-wildlife conflict in Zimbabwe.

ZimParks’ efforts to mitigate the conflict include community initiatives to educate people on managing wildlife encounters effectively.