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Young Gemini’s ‘La Liga’ Album Builds Buzz as Shoko Festival Approaches

…..‘Location’ Video Ignites the Hype

 

As we count down to the Shoko Festival, it’s clear that Young Gemini is more than ready to take centre stage.

She makes a return this year to the Peace in the Hood stage, on the 28th of September, in Chitungwiza.

The rising female rap sensation has just released the music video for her latest single, “LOCATION,” and it’s already the talk of the socials.

This all-women collaboration, featured on her album “La Liga,” showcases an impressive lineup of talent including Xiba, Nomsa, Phreshy, Kim Makumbe, and Tamy.

The video for “LOCATION” is a visual feast, depicting a girls’ slumber party complete with poolside scenes and playful game sessions.

As the Shoko Festival approaches, scheduled from September 26th to 28th, 2024, in Harare and Chitungwiza, eyes are on Young Gemini.

The timing of her video release and the buzz surrounding her album couldn’t be more perfect.

Shoko Festival, known for showcasing the best of Zimbabwe’s young urban culture, provides the ideal platform for Young Geminii to cement her status as one of the country’s most promising hip hop artists.

Her “La Liga” album has been gaining significant traction since its release. Another standout track from the album, “Into You,” featuring the smooth vocals of Kae Chaps, has already become a fan favourite.

The success of “LOCATION” and the “La Liga” album is likely to give Young Geminii a significant boost ahead of her Shoko Festival performance.

Fans will be eagerly anticipating live renditions of her latest hits, and the all-women collaboration on “LOCATION” opens up exciting possibilities for guest appearances during her set.

Check out Location below

Manica Diamonds Grind Out Much-Needed Victory against Arenel Movers

Manica Diamonds finally ended their winless streak, which had stretched to 10 games, with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over bottom-placed Arenel Movers in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League fixture.

 

The Gem Boys had struggled mightily in recent weeks, drawing seven and losing three of their previous 10 matches, scoring just once in that period during a 1-1 draw against Yadah back in July.

However, Manica Diamonds showed great resilience and determination to secure all three points against Arenel Movers, who remain rooted to the foot of the table.

The home win propelled Manica Diamonds to fourth position in the league standings with 39 points, just a point ahead of fifth-placed Highlanders and two behind third-placed Ngezi Platinum Stars.

The hard-fought victory over Arenel Movers should give Manica Diamonds a much-needed confidence boost as they look to build on this result and continue their push for a higher finish in the league table after finishing second last season.

Meanwhile, at Bata stadium in Gweru Dynamos played to a goalless draw against Telone who are now being coached by Herbert Maruwa who was at Dynamos in 2023 before getting fired after just 18 games.

Enhle Mbali Leads All-Women Boxing Team in Thrilling New BET Drama Series ‘Pound 4 Pound’

Enhle Mbali is set to star in the new BET drama series ‘Pound 4 Pound’ that will première on Sunday 29 September at 18:30 CAT.

 

The 13-part drama series explores the high-stakes world of women’s boxing in Africa, delivering a powerful narrative of resilience, empowerment, and the pursuit of greatness.

The series follows Lindiwe Mkhwanazi, portrayed by Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa, a passionate advocate for women’s boxing and the COO of the South African Boxing Federation.

Lindiwe finds herself in hot water after prematurely registering an all-women’s team for the Africa Unite Boxing Championship in Lagos, Nigeria.

To get the team ready, she recruits a washed-up former boxing champion, Dingaan “Tiger” Nkosi, played by Mduduzi Mabaso Mdakane, to train the amateur women boxers. Most of these women have never boxed before,  but see an opportunity in joining the team.

Their journey unfolds a compelling narrative that mirrors the real-life challenges and victories of everyday women. It’s a story about underdogs rising to greatness and women breaking barriers in male-dominated fields.

Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa, shared her excitement, “Taking on the role of Lindiwe Mkhwanazi has been an incredibly empowering experience for me.

“Pound 4 Pound is a story that breaks the mould and challenges the ceiling of what female potential is perceived to be in society, proving that it is truly limitless. I hope this story resonates with viewers and sparks conversations about the power of resilience and the boundless strength of women.”

 

Synopsis: Lindiwe Mkhwanazi, a passionate advocate for women’s boxing and the COO of The South African Boxing Federation, faces sabotage from within her own organization when she recruits a washed-up former boxing champion to train and lead a team of amateur women boxers to compete in a major African boxing tournament.

Key Cast: Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa, Mduduzi Mabaso, Gabisile Tshabalala, Kealeboga Masango, Kwanele Mthethwa, Nicole Bessick, Sne Mbatha, Zolisa Xaluva, Brandon Auret.

Rangers defeat Takashinga to lift NPL T20 Blast trophy

An unbroken sixth-wicket partnership of 76 between Matthew Welch and Ryan Burl proved to be the vital factor for Rangers, as they broke Takashinga Patriots’ monopoly of club trophies with a fine 35-run victory in the NPL T20 Blast final at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.

Put in to bat by Takashinga Patriots 1, they lost Mathew Campbell for a single, but Jayden Schadendorf and Nick Welch put together a fine stand of 63 in six overs before Schadendorf was out for 43 off 29 balls.

Welch went for 27 and Sean Williams for 14, and then the loss of Johnathan Campbell for one made the score 104 for five wickets after 12 overs.

At this point Takashinga were on top, but then came the decisive partnership between Matthew Welch and Burl that turned the match around.

Welch scored 54 not out off 39 balls, Burl 29 off 21, and the final total was 180 for five wickets.

Normally Takashinga with their powerful batting would back themselves to hunt down that target, but this was not to be their night as their usually reliable top order failed them.

The opening pair of Joylord Gumbie and Emmanuel Bawa started powerfully to reach 29 in the third over, but then Gumbie was bowled by Alistair Frost for 17.

Then came two serious blows as Johnathan Campbell took the wickets of Roy Kaia and Wellington Masakadza with successive deliveries, making the score 33 for three wickets.

Bawa soon followed for 18, but Takashinga had the renowned Sikandar Raza playing for them.

He was going well for 37 off 26 balls when he was caught by Johnathan Campbell off Burl, just after Timycen Maruma went for 12, and in the 12th over the score was 94 for six and Rangers held the advantage.

They were now into the tail, but all was not lost as long as Hamilton Masakadza was there.

His stand with Blessing Muzarabani flourished, and their partnership put on 43 of the 87 runs that were still needed when Raza was out.

But then came the final blow, as with the score on 137 and needing to increase run rate, Masakadza was caught by Burl off Williams for 29 off 19 balls, and Rangers now knew the match was theirs.

With only 16 balls left the tail-enders were unable to complete the job, hard though they swung their bats, and with the first ball of the final over Tapiwa Mufudza was the last man out, caught by Campbell off Frost with the score at 145.

The giants of Zimbabwe cricket had fallen and Rangers celebrated a fine team effort, with four of their bowlers taking two wickets each and four batters having scored more than 25 runs.

Rangers – 180-5 in 20 overs (Matthew Welch 54*, Jayden Schadendorf 43, Ryan Burl 29*; Wellington Masakadza 2/20, Munashe Chipara 1/22, Sikandar Raza 1/28)

Takashinga Patriots 1 – 145 all out in 19.1 overs (Sikandar Raza 37, Hamilton Masakadza 29, Emmanuel Bawa 18; Johnathan Campbel 2/2, Alistair Frost 2/23, Ryan Burl 2/25)

Rangers won by 35 runs 

Zimbabweans Welcome Starlink: New ISP to Shake Up the Market

Excitement is at an all-time high in Zimbabwe following the official launch of Starlink just before midnight on September 6.

 

Social media has been buzzing with people celebrating the arrival of the new internet service provider, feeling that current internet service providers (ISPs) have been overcharging them for years.

One provider was even charging around $230 per month for unlimited internet.

In contrast, Starlink is offering much more affordable options. The standard kit costs $350 to purchase, with a monthly subscription of $50, offering internet speeds as fast as 200 Mbps.

For those who need something more portable, the mini kit costs $200 and has a monthly subscription of $30, making it perfect for people on the go.

To order a Starlink kit, you need to visit their official website and pay using Apple Pay, Visa, or Mastercard.

You will also need to enter your address and pay an additional $23 for shipping and handling. The kit will arrive within 1-2 weeks.

The entry of Starlink is expected to shake up the market, adding competition to the existing ISPs.

As a result, consumers are likely to benefit, with other ISPs expected to lower their prices to remain competitive. Starlink’s presence could be a game changer in Zimbabwe’s internet landscape.

Goalless Draw for New Warriors Coach Nees in AFCON Qualifier

New Warriors coach Michael Nees began his reign as the senior men’s coach with a goalless draw against Kenya in the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at Mandela Stadium in Kampala, Uganda on Friday.

 

Kenya are using the Mandela Stadium due to the unavailability of approved stadiums in their country.

A lot was expected of Nees, but the German tactician failed to stamp his authority in a game where the Warriors fluffed some chances that could have brought them the three points.

Despite both teams creating several chances, neither could find the breakthrough.

Kenya’s coach, Engin Firat, had to contend with multiple injuries in his squad, which saw him bench regular goalkeeper Patrick Matasi, opting for Bryne Omondi between the posts.

Zimbabwe fielded a strong lineup featuring stars Jordan Zemura and Khama Billiat, who had just come out of international retirement.

Kenya, however, started the game brightly, controlling the early exchanges.

Forward Samuel Abuya squandered two good opportunities, while defender David Odhiambo narrowly missed the target with a powerful strike.

Despite the attacking intent from both sides, the lack of clinical finishing left the scoreline unchanged at the final whistle.

Zimbabwe’s midfield was not at its absolute best, with captain Marshall Munetsi holding onto the ball a little too long at times. Meanwhile, Wolves forward Tawanda Chirewa was not at his sharpest.

However, Andy Rinemhota was the workhorse in the middle, winning numerous duels and disrupting the opposition’s play effectively.

Khama Billiat at 34, lasted the entire 90 minutes and could have grabbed at least two assists as he proved that he still has a lot more to offer to the national team.

Bright sparks from second-half substitute Tawanda Maswanhise provided some impetus upfront, and with more clinical finishing, the Warriors could have left Kampala with three points.

Zimbabwe will take on Cameroon next on Tuesday and will try to seek their first win in the qualifying campaign.

Zimbabwean Songstress Mary Anibal Delivers Spellbinding Debut Album ‘Maria Wenyu’

One of Zimbabwe’s most captivating voices, Mary Anibal, has just released her highly anticipated debut album, ‘Maria Wenyu.’

 

The rising star, who was crowned the 2023 winner for Best Traditional (Chinyakare/Chimurenga) at the Zimbabwe Music Awards, has crafted a masterpiece that is set to captivate audiences across the globe.

Anibal, a true gem hidden in plain sight, has long been recognized for her refreshing and powerful vocals. Since her historic ZIMA victory, the songstress has been unstoppable, gracing stages with electrifying performances and steadily amassing a devoted fan base.

‘Maria Wenyu,’ a 10-track musical odyssey, is a testament to Anibal’s artistry and dedication. Tracks such as “Parafin,” “Yeuka,” “Ndibatsire,” “Rungano,” and “Mvura” are meticulously crafted pieces of art that showcase the singer’s versatility and command of her craft.

To bring this album to life, Anibal enlisted the expertise of iconic figures in the Zimbabwean music industry, including legendary producer and artist Keith Farquharson, as well as additional production from Trust Samende and Daniel Chiweddar.

The album also features a highly anticipated collaboration with the renowned Jah Prayzah on the track “Yeuka.”

Listen to Yeuka below:

Zim Cricket picks youthful Zimbabwe Women side for Namibia tri-series

Zimbabwe Cricket has included nine Under-19 players in the Zimbabwe Women side that will face hosts Namibia Women and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Women in the Capricorn Eagles Women’s Tri-Series scheduled for 6-14 September in Windhoek.

Their inclusion is part of preparations for the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Division One Qualifier to be played later this month.

Four of the Under-19s – Kelis Ndhlovu, Beloved Biza, Kudzai Chigora and Christina Mutasa – have already played for the senior team, while Runyararo Pasipanodya, Passionate Munorwei, Chipo Moyo and Lorraine Pemhiwa are featuring for the first time.

Another first-timer in the senior side is United Kingdom-based Tawananyasha Marumani, who represented Zimbabwe Women at the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup 2023.

With the exception of Marumani, the starlets were all part of the Zimbabwe A Women’s team that won silver at the Kwibuka Women’s T20 tournament in Rwanda earlier this year.

The Zimbabwe Women team travelling to Namibia is a blend of youth and experience as seasoned players, Josephine Nkomo, Chiyedza Dhururu, Modester Mupachikwa and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano are included.

Explaining the rationale behind picking a youthful squad, convener of selectors Julia Chibhabha said: “Selection was based on two factors: continuing to build on preparations for the Under-19s and mentorship.

“It was ideally to equip the Under-19 players for the qualifier and the World Cup.

“The six senior players were deliberately chosen to mentor on batting, bowling, general mannerism and confidence building.

“A player like Mugeri-Tiripano has a huge presence on the field and we are hoping the youngsters will feed off her and learn a lot.

“Mugeri-Tiripano and Mupachikwa were chosen to help the batters, especially the top-order batters, while our top bowler Nkomo will mentor the bowlers, with Dhururu and Mupachikwa mentoring the wicketkeepers.”

Chibhabha also explained why they chose Dhururu to captain the team.

“Dhururu will captain just as she did at Kwibuka because she was able to help the Under-19s go through the tournament and helped build their confidence,” she said.

On the return of Loryn Phiri, who was in the ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year for 2021 but has not been picked for the senior team in the past year, Chibhabha said: “She has been on the fringes for a while, but was part of the Kwibuka squad and did well. She is being rewarded for great performances, working hard with both bat and ball.”

ZIMBABWE WOMEN SQUAD FOR CAPRICORN EAGLES WOMEN’S TRI-SERIES:

Chiyedza Dhururu (captain), Josephine Nkomo, Kelis Ndhlovu, Beloved Biza, Modester Mupachikwa, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Loryn Phiri, Christina Mutasa, Runyararo Pasipanodya, Passionate Munorwei, Tawananyasha Marumani, Kudzai Chigora, Lindokuhle Mabhera, Chipo Moyo, Lorraine Pemhiwa

Dynamos Advance to Chibuku Super Cup Quarters with Dominant Victory over ZPC

The Chibuku Super Cup defending champions, Dynamos, have booked their place in the quarterfinals of the 2024 edition after securing a convincing 3-1 victory over ZPC Kariba in a rescheduled first-round encounter played at Rufaro Stadium on Wednesday.

 

It has been happy days for the blue boys under Lloyd ‘Mablanyo’ Chigove and his two lieutenants Joe Luphahla and Murape Murape, as they look to close the season with something to build on.

The Glamour Boys, determined to maintain their winning momentum, got off to a flying start as Donald Mudadi unleashed a stunning long-range shot to give them the lead in the 14th minute.

The Harare giants doubled their lead just six minutes later when Emmanuel Paga found the back of the net, leaving ZPC Kariba with an uphill task.

The second half belonged to Dynamos as well, with Nomore Chinyerere extending their lead in the 57th minute to put the game firmly in their grasp.

ZPC Kariba did manage to pull one back towards the end when Nyasha Gurende scored from a free-kick. Previous free-kick routines had become an internet joke after ZPC players confused themselves in front of the wall.

With seven teams now having booked their spots in the next round, the final first-round encounter is set to take place next Thursday afternoon at the Baobab Stadium in Ngezi, where Ngezi Platinum will face off against Bulawayo Chiefs in a highly anticipated clash.

Zimbabwe Sables Present Rugby Africa Cup Trophy to Harare Mayor

The Zimbabwe Senior National Men’s Rugby Team, the Sables, presented the prestigious Rugby Africa Cup trophy to His Worship Jacob Mafume, the Mayor of Harare City Council, at Town House today the 4th of September 2024

 

The presentation was a momentous occasion, attended by the Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) President, Losson Mtongwiza, and Joel Gombera representing the team’s main sponsor, Nedbank Zimbabwe.

The Sables clinched the Rugby Africa Cup title earlier this year in Kampala, cementing their status as the continent’s premier rugby team.

Addressing the gathered councilors, staff, and team representatives, ZRU President Mtongwiza expressed gratitude for the City of Harare’s unwavering support.

He highlighted the crucial role the municipality plays in providing essential facilities and resources to local rugby clubs, which have contributed significantly to the team’s success.

“We are immensely grateful for the support we receive from the City of Harare,” Mtongwiza stated. “Your facilities have been instrumental in nurturing talent and enabling our clubs to thrive. This Africa Cup victory is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our players and coaches, as well as the invaluable support from our community.”

Mayor Mafume expressed his delight and admiration for the Sables’ achievement. He acknowledged the grueling nature of the sport and praised the team’s determination and skill.

“We are immensely proud of the Sables for their remarkable victory,” the Mayor said. “Your hard work and dedication have brought great honor to our city. We understand the importance of grassroots development and will continue to support our community sports clubs to ensure a sustainable future for rugby in Harare.”

The presentation of the Rugby Africa Cup trophy to the Harare Mayor serves as a symbol of the Sables’ triumph and the city’s commitment to fostering a vibrant rugby community.