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Langton Nyakwenda-Sports Reporter

Zimbabwe Select . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1

ZDF Select . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

IT was a carnival atmosphere, one that was befitting for the occasion, as a capacity crowd thronged Rufaro for the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) trophy encounter. 

Sungura guru Alick Macheso and popular Zimdancehall Deejay Fantan, spiced up the event before the Zimbabwe Select and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Select took to the field for the 2024 edition of the ZDF trophy. 

The Zimbabwe Select, fielding the bulk of the locally-based Warriors, who featured at this year’s COSAFA Cup tournament in South Africa, took only 13 minutes to settle down and seize the initiative.

They found the goal to eventually become the decider via Simba Bhora’s on-fire striker Tymon Machope.

The lanky striker rifled home from close range after a lapse in concentration by the ZDF Select defenders. 

Zimbabwe Select captain and Simba Bhora talisman Walter Musona led his team’s control of the first half with his former FC Platinum teammates — Brian Banda and Juan Mutudza — as they bossed their opponents in the midfield exchanges. 

Manica Diamonds speedy forward, Michael Tapera, won the admiration of a huge section of the huge crowd because of his pace on the flanks. 

Tapera was duly named Man of the Match. 

The Highlanders duo of Andrew Mbeba and McKinnon Mushore also played for the Warriors Select. 

Typical of football fandom, Rufaro’s City End, which normally houses CAPS United fans quickly fell in love with the Warriors Select sporting a green and yellow kit. 

The Mbare End crowd sided with the ZDF Select who wore red. 

Former Dynamos and Triangle striker Allan Tavarwisa, who led the line for ZDF Select was always dangerous each time he won possession. 

The stocky striker could have been on the score-sheet had he been more accurate. 

Cranborne Bullets defenders Moreblessing Mushangwe and Prince Mutasa were also part of the ZDF team. 

Both teams wowed the strong crowd that thronged the ceremonial home of football with some good football. 

ZIFA technical director Jethro “Chemi’’ Hunidzarira, coached the Zimbabwe Select side. 

Hunidzarira made wholesome changes at half-time, as he sent on a completely new team for the second half, with the ZIFA TD seeking to give every member of his side a run out. 

After the changes, CAPS United defender Godknows Murwira took over the armband from Musona and marshalled the Warriors defence with aplomb. 

Makepekepe winger Junior Bunjira, also showed some flashes of brilliance when he came on in the second half. 

But in the end, it was Machope’s early goal that decided the contest. 

Machope is enjoying a purple patch at his club where has scored nine goals in the Premier Soccer League but that tally should rise to 10 if he is awarded the goal, which was previously given to Webster Tafa when Simba Bhora drew 1-1 against Dynamos at Barbourfields last Saturday.

PSL video footage later showed that Machope’s header had already crossed the line before Dynamos goalkeeper Martin Mapisa, in a desperate move, scooped it onto the path of Tafa. 

Machope revealed after the match that he was now focussing his attention on club duties where he is targeting to reach at least 17 goals for Simba Bhora. 

He was also happy to have given a good account of himself in front of the national selectors, especially given the Warriors’ upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. 

“I am happy that I scored today (yesterday) because if you are selected you have to deliver,” Machope said. 

The striker is not thinking much about individual awards as he is focused on helping Simba Bhora win the league title.

The Shamva side is currently second on the Premier Soccer League table. 

“I am happy with my current form in the league, scoring motivates me. 

“I am now targeting to score 17 goals in the league,” added Machope. 

The unheralded Stephen Mapepa was in charge of the ZDF Select outfit, which comprised players from defence forces sides — Black Rhinos, Chapungu, Cranborne Bullets, and Tongogara. 

“We tried our best,” he said. 

The Zimbabwe Defence Forces match is held annually to celebrate the country’s forces. 

There was jubilation for the Zimbabwe Select when ZDF commander General Philip Valerio Sibanda and Deputy Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture Emily Jesaya handed them the gold medals before Murwira hoisted the trophy.