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Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter

ZIMBABWE successfully defended their men’s and women’s titles at the 2022 Confederation of Universities and Colleges Sports Association chess tournament held at the University of Lilongwe’s Bunda Campus in Malawi over the past week. 

The CUCSA Games are a biannual event held once every two years, featuring several sporting codes and in Malawi, Zimbabwe had teams in chess, athletics, volleyball, basketball and netball. 

The chess team, which took part in the event that was held from August 22 to September 2, was made up of seasoned players under the guidance of Lewis Kahoba of University of Zimbabwe and Buxton Temba of Midlands State University. 

Kahoba was happy with the win and said they had a strong side which dominated from start to finish. 

“It’s impressive how the teams performed. We came here expecting nothing short of gold medals and the teams did not disappoint. 

“We were in terrific form from the start to the end. We are grateful to the Zimbabwe Chess Federation for their enormous support with team kits. We played with our hearts out, seeing we were fitly dressed,” said Kahoba. 

The men’s team was comprised of FIDE Master Farai Hamandishe from Bindura University, University of Zimbabwe duo of captain Prince Rapoza and Simbarashe Chikoya, Bright Moyo from Great Zimbabwe University. 

The women’s team was comprised of Linda Dalitso Shaba from Harare Polytechnic, Paidaishe Zengeni from NUST, and UZ quintet of Ropafadzo Dube, Tatenda Ndou, Mashea Dzimba and Ruwadzano Whande. 

Zimbabwe was in tremendous form in both sections with the men’s team winning four games and drawing once while the women’s team won all their games.

In the opening round, the Zimbabwe men’s team beat Angola by 2.5-1.5 while the women’s team was on a bye. 

In round two, the Zimbabwe men’s team beat South Africa 4-0 while the girls also beat South Africa 3-1. 

In round three Zimbabwe faced the Zebras of Botswana with the men’s and women teams winning 4-0 and 3.5-0.5 respectively. 

In round four, the men’s team drew 2-2 against Zambia with the women’s team defeating Zambia 3-1. 

Zimbabwe was determined to clinch gold, as in the final round both teams cruised past Malawi to be declared the CUCSA Kings and Queens.