THE crème de la crème of Zambia’s golfers today join a horde of world-class golfers as the 1.1 million Rand-rich 2012 Indo-Zambia Bank sponsored-Zambia Golf Open proper tees-off at the traditional Lusaka Golf Club after a seven year-absence.
But the Zambian contingent led by United States based golfer Madalisto Muthiya need to be at their best to fend off competition from 2011 champion Doug McGuigen and past winners Steve Basson and Desvonde Botes, who are leading a strong field of 98 South Africans heading to Lusaka for the event that was preceded by two Pro-Ams (professionals versus amateurs).
McGuigen won last year’s event held at Nchanga Golf Club with a score of 272 with Basson winning the Zambia Open on back-to-back occasions in 2006 at Nchanga and in 2007 at Ndola.
Pressure will be expected on the Zambian golfers to break the jinx of losing at home soil and lay their hands on the R1.1 million (about K715 million) rich-event that has over the past years eluded the local golfers since inception in 1972.
The winner stands to pocket R190, 000 with the runner-up getting R138, 000 and the third placed is expected to pocket R83, 040 going down to R3,000 for the golfer to finish 65th. The first professional to record a Hole-in-One during the tournament round will win a Jeep Wrangler worth US$ 65,000.
Adilson Da Silva, who won at the Ndola Golf Club in 2010 with a score 202, and Tyrone Ferriera, winner of the 2008 event held at the Chainama Hills Golf Club, withdrew from the event.
This year’s event has attracted Zambia’s best local and professional golfers among them Muthiya, who will be taking his second chance at the Zambia Open crown, after a close shave at Nchanga in 2006 when he emerged runner-up to South African Basson, who amassed 207 points.
Muthiya will be closely checked by countrymen Patrick Mwendapole, Kangwine Chiluba, Beza Daka, Vincent Kabaso Kelvin, Kelvin Phiri, Obed Sholoma, Muhammed Zulu, Stephen Mbewe, Bruce Chanda and Dwayne Moore.
Other locals expected to give the foreign professionals that have been lined up by the Zambia Golf Union (ZGU) a test are amateur golfers Kevin Cummings, Ntengwa Mukosa, Raj Sharma, Fred Ndhlovu, Kelly Munkombwe, Denmark Mulambo, Brice Tristan and the only female participant, Melissa Nawa.
Muthiya said in an interview, he was confident of a good finish and expressed confidence that a Zambian would one day win the event but that would depend on how much one has participated in international competitions other than the Zambian Open.
“We have good golfers who can win this event but they need to be participating in many competitions unlike always waiting for the Zambia Open; that always puts pressure on us. I had a feel of the course and it is in good shape and I am confident of a good finish,” he said.
Basson said winning this year’s event will largely depend on experience because of the golf course and the dry conditions which would make playing difficult.
He said in an interview after playing in the Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) Pro-Am yesterday that experience would be important towards winning the championships going by the way the golf course, which last hosted the event seven years ago, is playing.
Basson said conditions were good for the competition but that the course would favour the experienced golfers because of some obstacles that go with the Lusaka golf course.
Acting Republican President, Alexander Chikwanda was among the golfers that took to the course during the KCM-sponsored Pro-Am.
Meanwhile, Kaela Mulenga won the longest drive in the women’s category with Craig Meerholz winning the men’s event during the KCM-sponsored Pro-Am on Tuesday.
Matthew Nkhuwa managed a hole-in-one and also won the nearest-to-the-pin with Chola Oka getting the women’s version.
The team of Shaun Norris, Joel Chitambala, Miles Sampa and Caleb Mulenga emerged winners of the KCM Pro-Am after grossing 89 on a count-back with the team of Ignatius Metekete, Christopher Mulenga, Brian Chisegalumbwe and P.K Ndholvu finishing second with 89 points. In third position was Andrew Geogiou, Suhali Vally, Moses Tembo and Karen Khetan.
Other prominent names that participated in the event included acting Republican President, Chikwanda and Zambia Revenue Authority Commissioner General Berlin Msiska among others.
By press time results of the Airtel-sponsored Pro-Am had not yet been announced.

‘POWERHOUSE’ Lusaka at the weekend ended their title drought after dethroning Green Buffaloes to win the Heroes Sevens rugby tournament that was played at the Green Eagles grounds in Kabwe.

Lusaka’s triumph also ended ‘Men At Work’ Diggers dominance of the cup competitions having won three on a trot but were eliminated at the quarterfinal stage by Buffaloes who handsomely won 27-7.

It was a good day for the Joshua Lungu coached Lusaka, who apart from walking back home K5 million richer, saw their player Ernest Mwansa voted man-of-tournament and collected K500, 000.

Buffaloes got K2. 5 million for their efforts with Eagles and Red Arrows, who tumbled at the semi final stage walking away with K1.5 million and K1 million respectively.

Israel Kalumba, Mwansa and Michello Shelleni scored a try apiece for Lusaka which Larry Kaushiku managed to convert as the midlands side showed why they are called ‘Powerhouse’.

To get this far, Lusaka saw off Nchanga with a 33-0 win before eliminating the hosts Eagles 26-14 while Buffaloes beat Diggers in the quarterfinals followed by a sweet 5-0 win over their rivals Red Arrows.

Lusaka club captain Bupe Mulenga commended her team for putting up an outstanding performance to win the tournament that was heavily contested.

Mulenga said in an interview that the win was a morale booster for the team as they also aim to challenge for the league title despite trailing leaders Diggers and second placed Arrows mid-way the season.

“I am happy with the performance of the players as they put up a brave performance to beat Buffaloes and win our first title. It is a good win for us as it has given us confidence to challenge for other titles and the league,” she said.

Lusaka and Diggers are the only two sides to have won cup competitions this season with the Kitwe side enjoying three victories after winning the Nchanga 10’s, American and Mufulira Sevens tournament.   source   bolyathu

ZESCO United’s 2012 MTN Premier Division League unbeaten run came to an abruptly end in Kitwe yesterday when they lost lost to champions Power Dynamos, subsequently surrendering the top slot on the table to Zanaco.

Zanaco took over the leadership of the log on 29 points, one better than Zesco after 13 games played this season.

While a 10-man Zesco were battling to salvage a draw off Power in a match watched by Chipolopolo players Chisamba Lungu, Emmanuel Mbola and Jonas Sakuwaha, Zanaco easily collected maximum points off Konkola Blades to open up a slender lead over the Wedson Nyirenda’s side.

Power, who have bridged the gap with Zesco to three points, went to sleep in the second half failing to replicate an exhibition they put up in the first half when they rolled over their visitors to take a 2-0 first half lead through goals by striker Felix Nyaende and midfielder Emmanuel Chimpinde.

Zesco defender Gift Sakuwaha made it game on in the 54th minute when he pounced on a rebound from close range after Power goalkeeper Elliot Phiri spilled a curling set piece by midfielder Innocent Mwaba on the left flank into his strides.

Nyirenda’s side had to play much of the game with 10 men after referee William Chewe flashed a straight red at midfielder Kondwani Mtonga in the 19th minute for a careless crude tackle on Power skipper Joseph Sitali who had neatly beaten him to the ball away from danger.

Zanaco 2 Blades 0

From Sunset Stadium, Elias Chipepo reports that Zanaco yesterday took over league leadership after beating a determined Konkola Blades in a tightly fought encounter that saw Henry Banda and substitute Elson Mkandawire securing victory for the bankers.

Banda scored his goal in the ninth minute after finishing off a Lewis Macha pass before turning provider to Mkandawire, who came in for Ephraim Banda in the 60th minute, who did a lobby past goalkeeper Becky Bizangi deep into stoppage time.

Assembly 2 Arrows 1

National Assembly recorded their second successive win to amass 10 points when they beat Red Arrows, who remained fourth on 21 points after this week 13 local derby, reports Muwali Musampula from Woodlands Stadium.

The parliamentarians took the lead in the 40th minute through Humphrey Juma before Adubelo Phiri equalised in the goal melee just for Brian Chilando to score the winner with a wonder bicycle that proved too good for keeper Daniel Munyau and his defenders.

Forest 3 Nkana 1

At Dola Hill in Ndola, Felix Malunga reports that Nkana coach Linos Makwaza suffered abuse from the club’s fans as the 11-time league champions were subdued by a rejuvenated Forest Rangers.

Forest striker Nasha Kaya started the rout in the 20th minute before Malar Besa added the second nine minutes later.

Makwaza was forced to substitute goalkeeper Kennedy Kalale for Charles Mumba after he punched the ball into Besa’s path to graciously score.

Enock Jere reduced the deficit for Nkana in the 50th minute to give his team and some travelling fans hope that sadly was quashed a minute later after Owen Kaposa scored the clincher.

Nakambala 0 Buffaloes 1

In Mazabuka, George Chikokola won his first match as Green Buffaloes thanks to an 18th minute goal by Michael Bulaya to move up to 16 points while the ‘sugarcane boys’ Nakambala Leopards are on 14 points.

Mine Police 2 Eagles 0

In the border town of Chililabombwe, Albert Kamusweke reports that Konkola Mine Police yesterday notched up their fourth win of the elite league when they made short work of visiting Green Eagles in week 13 match in Chililabombwe scoring the goals through Austin Muwowo and Lazarus Kambole.

Nyondo gave Mine Police the lead in the eighth minute from defence-splitting a through ball after a good interchange of passes from Brian Chewe and Musonda Mwape and Kambole sealed victory in the 68thminute to move his side up to 17 points while Eagles remained four points adrift.

Rangers 0 Napsa 1

The effects of Nchanga Rangers parting company with seasoned coach Bruce Mwape have started showing at Nchanga Stadium where the Chingola side suffered a shock defeat to Napsa Stars tutored by veterans Patrick Phiri and Peter Kaumba.

Veteran striker Linos Chalwe gave a star-studded Napsa the all-important goal in the 70th minute as the Lusaka-based outfit moved up to join Rangers and Red Arrows on 21points.

Indeni 0 Roan 0

Indeni were held to a draw by visiting Roan United in a match that either side could have easily won had they converted their chances. Indeni are bottom with eight points while Roan are also in the relegation zone with 11 points.    source-  bolayathu

Barely 24 hours before the FAZ annual general meeting at Moba Hotel in Kitwe bolayathu.com delivers the last in the series of election lighters. Bolayathu.com brings in focus 10 factors that could prove crucial in deciding the election.

10. National Sports Council of Zambia:

Ordinarily, they could have been relied on to show the way in overseeing a credible election BUT the many times they have reneged on their stance leave much to be desired. Few candidates that have blown the whistle on alleged mal-practices have had their plea fall on deaf ears. May be the NSCZ is non-existent or is extinct.

9. Voter Register:

Just who is on that voter’s roll. Whispers of ghost voters refuse to die. Had it not been raised by people that have vast experience in FAZ electioneering it could have been easily dismissed. With clubs making the roll overnight, things could get messy but there seems to be some level of alertness challenging these mal-practices.

8. Intimidation:

Not too many clubs have had the nerve to come out openly and declare their support for candidates for fear of reprisals after the poll. Just ask Kabwe Warriors how high the price for divergent views can be or why Wedson Nyirenda could not be anywhere near the national teams during his term at Zanaco. If not ask the referees who were deemed not in good standing what price they have paid. Examples abound. Yet, count how few from the 294 FAZ affiliates have openly declared support for Kalusha through stories published by their ‘friendly’ journalists. Find the difference and ask; who the rest are voting?

7. Evans Mushiba Factor:

Anybody who followed events at last year’s annual general meeting would have less reason to be optimistic as the corrupt withdrawal of a duly seconded motion give an insight of the FAZ version of corporate governance. Tactics from one end for a Mushiba de javu are seemingly not yielding any success though. This time the councilors are receiving all kind of material but know who to vote.