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Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter

ZIMBABWE’S budding squash talent Ryan Gwidzima is through to the Classic Plate final of the Squash Federation of Africa Senior Championships being held in Bulawayo after winning his match yesterday.

Gwidzima booked his place in the final after a 3-1 win over Max Endjala from Namibia in the semi finals at Suburbs Squash Club.

The match started on the wrong foot for the 16-year-old rising star after he lost the first game 7-11. He however staged a comeback to record scores of 11-6, 11-4 and 11-6 to progress to the next stage of the prestigious tournament.

The Falcon College student said he is looking forward to today’s plate final match and expects a tougher challenge but promised to leave it all on the court.

“I’m excited, I expect my opponent to be quite tough tomorrow (today) and when I go there I will give it my best and I’m looking at winning the title (classic plate),” said Gwidzima.

Gwidzima was not the only one from the Zimbabwe men’s team in action yesterday. Talent Jambo won his match against Agang Motlhagodi from Botswana 3-0. He recorded scores of 11-4, 11-4 and 12-10 in their Consolation Plate semi final match.

It was an all Zimbabwean affair in the other semi final where Roy Jambo triumphed 3-1 over team mate Callum Lawton to book a place in the final. The match ended with the figures of 9-11, 11-5, 11-9 and 11-4.

Their other team mate, Nishyto Munyoro lost his match against Egyptian Abdelaziz Hegazy as he could not finish it due to injury.

With the Jambo brothers set to face off against each other in the Consolation Plate final, the eldest, Roy, said it is a bit scary but hopes his younger brother comes to the party. Today’s match will not be the first among the brothers and the eldest has always emerged victorious.

“It’s a little bit scary, he has improved a lot (Talent Jambo) so I’m pretty sure it’s going to be a tough match but as the older one I’m hoping it’s just going to turn out as usual. I’m hoping it’s going to be different this time, I would be happy if he manages to beat me because it’s good, it shows that he is improving as well,” said Roy.

In the Classic Plate final, Gwidzima will face Damian Groenewald from South Africa.
—  @brandon_malvin