The Sunday Mail
Sport/Religion Langton Nyakwenda —
AFTER a decade off the high table, Zimbabwe’s Warriors return to the big league this evening with a dinner date with Algeria in their opening game of the 2017 Afcon finals.
God’s time is the best! The Warriors tried and failed in the last 10 years, different coaches came and left but still the Afcon ticket remained elusive until the history making Kallisto Pasuwa steered the ship to glory in June last year.
Pasuwa is a devout Madzibaba from the Johane Masowe eChishanu, his first assistant Saul Chaminuka is also a staunch follower of the same sect and they both attribute this success to the Almighty.
By the way, Pasuwa and Chaminuka are related, their mothers come from the same family and they both have some roots in Masvingo.
They are the Warriors’ spiritual brothers! Warriors’ team manager Sharif Mussa is a devout Muslim and is as dedicated to the national team cause as all the 23 players who are doing duty in Gabon.
As such, we pray that the Warriors break the jinx and progress beyond the group stages. New Life Pentecostal hits the ground running
2017 has been declared a year of harvesting but to harvest you have to sow the seeds. The harvest might come in the form of wealth, offspring or even educational qualifications.
Talk of harvesting souls through sport then Apostle Joseph Murata’s New Life Pentecostal is one of the churches that is already leading the way.
The rains that are pounding the country could not stop the “Buhera Soccer Bash” at Nerutanga Village, some 80km east of Chivhu where New Life Pentecostal took fellowshipping through sport to another level.
The venue was modest, the football pitch was sandwiched between mountains and maize fields but that did not kill the enthusiasm.
Hundreds of soccer lovers thronged the annual New Life Pentecostal Football Tournament.
The church’s congregants from Harare and Buhera as well as other local Christians not affiliated to the church took part in an intriguing round robin that was eventually won by New Life Academy.
The Academy walked away with $250 while the runners up New Life Buhera went home $75 richer. “This is our way of starting the year 2017. This is the year of harvesting and we want to harvest as many souls as possible.
“Football brings people together but at the same time let’s remember that it is God who shows us the way.
“We want footballers who fear God because it is Him who gave us this talent,” said Apostle Murata soon after the tournament.
One player from Buhera, Washington “Marcelo” Mutema, was recommended for New Life Academy, a team that plays in the Zifa Harare Division Two League.
Roman Catholic Kristo Mambo flexes muscles in Bindura .The Bindura Christian League is yet to kick off but the teams are keeping fit by engaging in some offseason friendlies.
In the last two weeks, Heartfelt Select, comprising of players from eight different churches, played Zaoga at Chipadze High School and the former won both games 6-2 and 5-4 respectively.
Bindura based Cloudon Rusiano said Roman Catholic Kristo Mambo Centre has challenged the unstoppable Heartfelt Select for a showdown that will surely grip the Christian community in the Mashonaland Central capital.
“It is going to be a big match because Heartfelt Select draws its support from the majority of churches because it is a team made up of players from different denominations.
“On the other hand, Roman Catholic Kristo Mambo has some good players.
‘‘We could have played this game on January 8 but rains forced a postponement so we are looking at staging the match next weekend,” said Rusiano.Reminder, The Sunday Mail Sport and Religion column is not a football platform only, we invite those with various sporting activities to get in touch.
Those with church sports should contact Langton Nyakwenda on 0773 298 522, on Facebook or email [email protected]
