Zimbabwe Facing Tough Tie Against Ireland in Cricket World Cup
The game against Ireland at the Belerive Oval ground could spell the end of their World Cup campaign.
HARARE — It's do or die for the Chevrons in a bumper sports weekend for Zimbabwe. From the Cricket World Cup to the Bob 91 Super Cup and then the Davis Cup Euro-Africa Zone tie, Zimbabwean sports lovers have a mouth-watering sports extravaganza. But standing between a rock and an Island are the Chevrons of Zimbabwe whose game against Ireland at the Belerive Oval ground could spell the end of their World Cup campaign. Zimbabwe need a win against Ireland and India in their remaining two games and failure against Ireland on Saturday will mean the Chevrons have been eliminated from the cricket festival. At the moment, the Chevrons have two points and are placed sixth on the table, just ahead of the United Arab Emirates who do not have a single win. Four teams qualify for the Super Eight stage and Zimbabwe can do that by winning their remaining games and cricket analyst Derrick Chiwara thinks that is possible. The Chevrons will be missing captain Elton Chigumbura who was injured in the game against Pakistan. The Zimbabweans, however, still retain the stars of their team with the likes of Hamilton Masakadza, Sean Williams and Brendon Taylor having produced good scores. But athletics administrator Sebastien Garikai believes that the World Cup cause was lost long back after Zimbabwe failed to impose themselves on their opponents. But yes, it is good to be patriotic but to be honest that Super Eight stage looks far beyond the Chevron’s reach. Far away from Australia and back here in Zimbabwe, another tight contest is on the cards but this time it is not cricket but football. The ‘Green Machine’ of Caps United are seeking to extend their newly-found dominance over their crosstown rivals Dynamos in the Bob 91 Super Cup set for Rufaro Stadium on Sunday. Caps United beat Dynamos 6-5 on post-match penalties in the Sino Zimbabwe Challenge and much-travelled coach, Gishon Ntini, thinks that will be an advantage for the ‘Green Machine’. However, Ntini believes Dynamos have recovered from that defeat and will upstage their bitter rivals. Dynamos struggled in that Sino-Zimbabwe Challenge but their former son, Roderick Mutuma, was the hero for Caps United, igniting attacks whenever in possession. Mutuma could once again play a pivotal role for the ‘Green Machine’ but matches between the two sides are usually very difficult to predict. This tournament is a celebration of the birthday of President Robert Mugabe who turned 91 years on February 21. Dynamos are the defending champions.