*Lunchtime News: Thursday 5 June 2025* *HEADLINES* *ZANU-PF Suspends Top Chiwenga Ally Tafadzwa Musarara Amid Rising Factional Tension* *Zanu-PF’s Lewis Matutu Issued With Arrest Warrant Over US$150K Fraud* *ZWG Annual Inflation Will Not Affect Consumer Purchasing Power: Central Bank* *Gvt Plans More Interchanges To Ease Traffic & Boost Road Safety* *Zimbabwe Has $9billion Plan To Join African Electricity Drive* *Fake Doctor At Mpilo And UBH, Prosper Vanhuvaone, Found Guilty On Four Charges* *Ostallos Siziba Shares Chilling Account Of 2016 Abduction And Torture* *More Belvedere Homes Face Demolition as High Court Boots Land Developer* *Calls Grow To Ban Pitbulls In Zimbabwe* *Tanzania Announces Shutdown Of X Because Of Pornography* *Trump Bans Nationals From 12 Countries, Citing Security Concerns* *Ronaldo Fires Portugal Past Germany & Into Nations League Final* *VAR Saves Warriors To Pick A Draw Against Mauritius* Join our *Ad-free* News Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VacXkvFJJhzd2UoZYF1F *Stories in Detail:* *ZANU-PF Suspends Top Chiwenga Ally Tafadzwa Musarara Amid Rising Factional Tension* ZANU-PF’s internal power struggles took a fresh turn this week after the party’s Mashonaland Central provincial leadership issued a prohibition order against prominent businessman and political operative Tafadzwa Musarara, widely viewed as a close ally of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga. Musarara, who chairs the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) and is a senior figure within the Affirmative Action Group, is accused of sympathizing with a faction of the ruling party opposed to the so-called “2030 agenda” — a slogan increasingly associated with support for President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s extended leadership ambitions. A letter dated 31 May 2025, signed by the ZANU-PF Mashonaland Central leadership, stated: “Pending the outcome of the disciplinary hearing as per the attached Notice, you are hereby directed to stop acting for and/or on behalf of the Party ZANU PF until the matter is finalized.” The prohibition effectively bars Musarara from performing any official party duties until the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings. The notice, while brief, has triggered widespread speculation about growing friction between rival factions ahead of ZANU-PF’s anticipated leadership realignments. While Musarara is yet to issue a formal response, insiders say the prohibition order stems not from specific conduct, but rather from Musarara’s perceived alignment with Chiwenga’s camp and his opposition to the extension of Mnangagwa’s rule beyond 2028. A senior party source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “Musarara has been vocal in internal circles against the 2030 project. That alone makes him a target. It’s no longer about loyalty to the party — it’s about loyalty to a faction.” Musarara, a well-known figure in both business and political circles, rose to prominence through his work in the private sector and as a digital mobilizer — leading an influential group of ZANU-PF-aligned social media activists known as “varakashi”. However, in recent months, his visibility within official party events has waned, and his social media footprint has shifted toward issues of economic empowerment, often skirting party propaganda themes — further fuelling suspicion of ideological divergence. *Zanu-PF’s Lewis Matutu Issued With Arrest Warrant Over US$150K Fraud* A Harare court has issued an arrest warrant for former Zanu PF youth leader Lewis Matutu and four others after they failed to appear for their fraud trial involving US$150,000. Lewis Matutu Issued With Arrest Warrant Over US$150K Fraud The warrant was issued on Wednesday, 4 May 2025, by Magistrate Winfilda Tiyatara after Matutu and his co-accused—Blessing Kusangaya, Tafadzwa Kusangaya, Muzimba Muhamba, and Chikwasha Muhamba—did not show up in court. *Accused of Stealing Shares Through Forgery* According to the prosecution, Matutu and his alleged accomplices are accused of using forged documents to seize control of Shisib Investments, a mining company. The group reportedly created fake company records backdated to 2014, 2016, and 2017, which falsely indicated changes in shareholding. They also allegedly forged signatures belonging to the company’s real owner and one Lyton Shumba, making it look like the changes were legitimate. Prosecutor Takudzwa Jambawu told the court: “The accused filed these false returns with the Registrar of Companies to reflect themselves as majority shareholders.” *Fraud Discovered After Mining Operations Suspended* The alleged fraud only came to light years later. On 30 September 2024, the rightful owner of the company was shocked to learn that the Department of Parks and Wildlife had been told to stop all mining activity, on instructions from the accused, who claimed they had sold the mining claim. Things escalated further in November 2024 when the accused, using the shares they allegedly obtained through fraud, called an Annual General Meeting. At that meeting, they reportedly ousted the actual owner from his position as director and even changed the company’s address. *ZWG Annual Inflation Will Not Affect Consumer Purchasing Power: Central Bank* THE Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has implored economic agents to ignore annual ZWG inflation rates, arguing the stats have no bearing on pricing dynamics. This comes after inflation statistics by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat) revealed that annual inflation surged to 92,1% in the month of September 2025. The developments recently triggered an outcry from industry, which blamed the September 2024 43% local currency devaluation directive for pushing up the inflationary pressures. The business community also contends that the high ZWG annual inflation rates pose challenges for businesses, particularly due to the impact on interest rates. But in a statement Wednesday, the RBZ governor, Dr John Mushayavanhu, said the transition from the ZW$ to ZWG-denominated prices inevitably created a statistical gap in the calculation of annual inflation figures. This resulted in Zimstat computing and publishing yearly inflation in April 2015 after obtaining a full year of ZWG prices. The RBZ therefore, advised the public that the recorded rise in year-on-year ZWG inflation in April and May 2025 is primarily due to the base effect emanating from the once-off spike in monthly inflation from 5,8% in September 2024 to 37,2% in October 2024. "The current trend in annual inflation is expected to continue up to September 2025 and decline thereafter to align with the current low and stable monthly inflation. The current annual inflation will therefore not affect consumer purchasing power and value preservation, as the inflation impact has already been realised," said Mushayavanhu. The central bank exchequer said going forward, the economy is projected to decline to 30% by 31 December 2025 and to further decline towards single-digit levels in the outlook period. "Considering the current pricing circumstances where annual ZiG inflation is not reflective of the current pricing dynamics, the RBZ encourages economic agents to focus on month-on-month inflation, which has a more direct link to current ZWG purchasing power expectations. "The monthly ZWG inflation will remain low and stable as Monetary Policy remains appropriately tight to balance price stability and economic growth," added Mushayavanhu. *NewZW* *Govt Plans More Interchanges To Ease Traffic & Boost Road Safety* Zimbabwe is set to witness a major transformation in its road network, with the government announcing plans to construct more interchanges across the country as part of a broader strategy to modernise infrastructure, reduce traffic congestion, and improve safety. Speaking in a video clip shared on social media, Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Honourable Felix Mhona, confirmed the government’s commitment to expanding the country’s road network through the construction of additional interchanges in key urban and transit zones. "Interchanges play a critical role in facilitating the smooth movement of traffic, decongesting major roads, and reducing accidents," said Minister Mhona. "We are building on the successes we have achieved so far, and more interchanges will be constructed across the country." The announcement follows the successful commissioning of major interchanges such as the Mbudzi Traffic Interchange in Harare, which has already begun to ease chronic congestion at one of the capital’s busiest junctions. These projects are part of Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which prioritises infrastructure development as a driver of economic growth and social transformation. According to the Ministry of Transport, the upcoming interchanges will be strategically located in high-traffic areas in major cities and along key highways to improve connectivity and shorten travel times. Urban centres like Bulawayo, Mutare, Gweru, and Masvingo are among those being considered for future projects. Analysts say the expansion of the country’s road infrastructure will not only enhance transportation efficiency but also attract investment by lowering logistics costs and improving accessibility. "The government is responding to a critical need. With urban populations growing and vehicle numbers increasing, traditional road designs no longer meet demand. Interchanges are a smart solution that reflect forward planning," said Eng. Takudzwa Matiza, a civil engineering expert. The Ministry also highlighted that the projects will create thousands of local jobs in construction, materials supply, and related sectors, giving an economic boost to surrounding communities. Citizens have generally welcomed the news, though some have called for transparency and efficiency in the awarding of contracts and execution of the projects. Others urged the government to ensure that rural roads and feeder routes are not neglected in the process. In closing his remarks, Minister Mhona said the government’s vision was to build a "modern, safe, and world-class road network that supports economic recovery and inclusive development." Construction timelines and funding models for the new interchanges are expected to be outlined in the Ministry’s forthcoming mid-year infrastructure report. *thezimbabwemail* *Zimbabwe Has $9billion Plan To Join African Electricity Drive* The plan, which falls under the World Bank and African Development Bank’s Mission 300 program, envisages a more than doubling of the country’s power production from hydro, wind, solar and biomass plants. Zimbabwe laid out plans to raise more than $9 billion to boost energy access at a conference in London on Wednesday, an event organized by multilateral lenders to promote a flagship African electrification program to private investors. The plan, which falls under the World Bank and African Development Bank’s Mission 300 program, envisages a more than doubling of the country’s power production from hydro, wind, solar and biomass plants, a copy of the presentation sent to Bloomberg showed. Zimbabwe has been hit by regular power outages in recent years, often lasting most of the day, due to a lack of generation capacity. Mission 300, which the banks unveiled at a conference in Tanzania in January, aims to bring electricity to 300 million people in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030 at a cost of tens of billions of dollars sourced from development finance institutions and private investors. The region is home to about 83% of the 680 million people globally who don’t have access to electricity. "Despite having abundant renewable energy potential, Zimbabwe continues to face critical energy challenges," July Moyo, the country’s energy minister, wrote in the plan, titled Zimbabwe’s National Energy Compact. "As of 2024, 38% of the population lacks access to electricity." Zimbabwe’s ambitions of benefiting from the program are complicated by the fact that it has been in default to multilateral lenders — including the World Bank — for a quarter of a century. That means it can’t borrow money from them and the finance it needs will have to come largely from private investors. Under the plan Zimbabwe plans to seek: $3.81 billion for power generation, with 90% of that coming from private investment $968 million for transmission, with 80% funded by the state $147 million for distribution, 80% funded by the state $2.97 billion for on-grid access, all funded by the government $405 million for solar systems, 70% funded by private investors $792 million for clean-cooking technologies, with 70% coming from the private sector Ghana, Togo, Mozambique and Burundi are also scheduled to present their plans at the conference, which isn’t open to the media, on Wednesday. Eleven countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria, disclosed their blueprints to boost electrification at the Tanzania conference. *Bloomberg* *Fake Doctor At Mpilo And UBH, Prosper Vanhuvaone, Found Guilty On Four Charges* Prosper Vanhuvaone, the man who posed as a medical doctor at Mpilo Central Hospital and United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), has been convicted on three counts of fraud and one count of impersonation. The verdict was handed down on Tuesday, 3 June, at the Bulawayo Magistrates Court. Magistrate Eva Matura is expected to deliver Vanhuvaone’s sentence on Wednesday, 4 June. In his plea for leniency, Vanhuvaone told the court that he regrets his actions and is committed to reforming. He said that he took the dishonest path due to pressure from his peers, many of whom had already graduated. He also expressed a desire to complete his medical studies through proper channels. Vanhuvaone asked the court to consider a non-custodial sentence, saying he is a family man and is willing to become a law-abiding citizen. He said: I have a car and US$1 800 in my savings. I also have a house in the suburbs. I also run a private company. In aggravation, prosecutor Samuel Mpofu argued that a custodial sentence was necessary, describing Vanhuvaone as a pathological fraudster who deliberately deceived institutions and put lives at risk. Said Mpofu: This case is of national interest. In his previous conviction, he went by the name Prosper Mpofu, and now he goes by Prosper Vanhuvaone. Giving him a non-custodial sentence will endanger the lives of members of the public. More so, people have lost confidence in the health system at Mpilo Hospital because of his conduct. Vanhuvaone’s fraudulent activities included defrauding several people, such as Samantha Ziki, whom he allegedly duped out of US$1,600 in a botched nursing programme scam. Another victim, Faith Hove, paid US$120 for medical services under the false belief that Vanhuvaone was a registered doctor. *Chronicle* *Ostallos Siziba Shares Chilling Account Of 2016 Abduction And Torture* Former Member of Parliament for Pelandaba-Tshabalala, Gift Ostallos Siziba, has shared details of a harrowing near-death experience following his abduction and torture by suspected ZANU PF activists in 2016. Speaking on the interview series In Conversation with Trevor, hosted by media mogul Trevor Ncube, Siziba, who is also the former deputy spokesperson for the CCC party, recalled the brutal assault, saying that at one point he was prepared to die, as he “was no longer feeling any pain” despite the severity of the beatings. He said: So, in 2016, I was supposed to be part of a bridal team in my church on Saturday in Bulawayo. Then I came to Harare because we’re part of the national elections reform campaign program. And most of our activists in the Tajamuka had been arrested and “This Flag”… So when I was now going back to find public transport to go back to the city on a Friday, I was followed and then I got abducted because the demo was sanctioned and all those kind of problems in our country. This is 2016. Siziba recounted that after his abduction, his captors forced him into a sack. He was then driven around the city in a vehicle, subjected to a brutal beating throughout the journey. He said: They’re beating me up anywhere and I mean, they climb my head is down. Then the next thing I woke up in the ZANU PF headquarters and taken downstairs into their torture chambers, I presume. And obviously you are petrified. I got terrified and I realized, I mean clearly that probably this is my last moment with my life. And two things were very important to me [Brother Trevor]. The first one was the grounding that had happened to me in terms of my political consciousness building. Because it prepared me to understand that I must conquer the fear of death because you’re seeing blood, people are torturing you, they’re beating you and you can no longer feel the pain. There was this one old man who realized that all everything, everywhere in my body had been beaten up and blood was all over. During his captivity, Siziba underwent a series of intense interrogations. His abductors accused him of participating in efforts to overthrow the government, framing it as an attempt to undermine the legacy of the country’s liberation struggle. He said: He just started to step on my toes, just that, asking me, you guys, regime change, all those things. They were asking who’s funding the political activism and why we do what we do. And by then I couldn’t answer, I was beaten all over. And I knew that these people are going to kill me. So I had conquered that fear of death. I was no longer feeling any pain. But also I felt for them. When you are closer to death, you feel for the person who’s actually persecuting you. Because I knew that this old man is damaged because he was reciting his experience in the war that my friends died. “Do you guys want to undermine the death of my own friends and my comrades?” *More Belvedere Homes Face Demolition as High Court Boots Land Developer* The High Court has ruled that Brickstone Builders and Contractors must vacate a piece of municipal land in Ridgeview, Belvedere, after it emerged the company had no legal right to be there. The court found that Brickstone occupied the property and began construction without any official approval from the City of Harare. Forged Letter Exposed by Ministry Justice Regis Dembure granted the City’s request to evict the company, stating clearly that Brickstone had no lawful authority — direct or implied — to occupy or develop the land. Brickstone could not produce basic documents such as a council allocation letter, a lease agreement, or a written resolution from the city — all of which are required before taking over municipal land. Officials from the City of Harare, including Edgar Dzehonye and Isaiah Chawatama, stressed that these documents are essential. In short, they said Brickstone shouldn’t have been on the land in the first place. Things got worse for Brickstone when the city revealed that a letter the company had used to back its claim — allegedly from the Ministry of Local Government — was forged. Both the ministry’s Chief Director, Mr Mushamba, and the official whose name was on the document, Mr Madzivire, denied ever signing or writing it. That forged letter was the basis of an interim court order Brickstone secured in July 2023, which it used to begin construction. But even after the court made it clear no further building was allowed, the company continued developing the site without submitting proper building plans. In response, Harare City Council demolished 30 illegal structures on the land. Only those protected under the temporary court order were spared. Justice Dembure has now given Brickstone seven days to leave the property. If the company fails to comply, the court has authorised the Sheriff of Zimbabwe to remove them and anyone else claiming rights through them. This ruling leaves dozens of would-be homeowners in limbo. Many had bought residential stands from Brickstone, unaware that the paperwork behind the deals was fake. Directors of the company, Lilian Chitanga and Spencer Mabheka, were arrested in September 2024 and charged with forgery and fraud. Authorities allege they used fake documents to sell over 50 stands for between US$25,000 and US$40,000 each. Investigations by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission confirmed that all the allocation letters and lease agreements given to buyers were fraudulent. Most of the homes built on those stands have already been torn down. *Calls Grow To Ban Pitbulls In Zimbabwe* PRESSURE is mounting on the government to ban pit bulls as domestic pets, as Zimbabwe continues to record deaths and injuries caused by the vicious dogs. This follows the fatal attack of a Harare man, Samuel Machara, by a pitbull in Bluffhill. Machara’s death is not an isolated incident, as similar cases have been recorded, raising concerns over the safety of keeping the dogs as pets. Gospel musician Tembalami has initiated a petition to push for a ban on pitbulls. He argues that the dogs have become a danger and threaten public safety. "We have had countless deaths caused by pit bulls. Now it’s time to act. For years, the pit bull breed has been associated with savage attacks resulting in serious injuries and, tragically, fatalities in our communities. Despite taking necessary precautions, the inherent aggressive nature of these dogs has led to unforeseen and heartbreaking incidents involving our loved ones. "The increasing number of pit bull attacks highlights the urgent need for action. In countries like the United Kingdom and Canada, legislation has been implemented that bans or severely restricts the breeding and ownership of pit bulls. Such measures have led to a decrease in dangerous encounters and have proven effective in enhancing public safety," read the petition. An estimated 12 countries worldwide have enforced a ban on keeping pit bulls, and calls are growing louder for Zimbabwe to follow suit. Recently, Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume indicated that the City Council would address the menace caused by the vicious animals. Tembalami’s petition further reads, "Zimbabwe must take a similar approach to ensure the well-being of its citizens. A nationwide ban on pit bull ownership as pets and as security dogs will significantly reduce the risk of attacks. Pet owners can opt for other breeds that are known for their kindness and loyalty, providing a safer environment for all." *NewZW* *Tanzania Announces Shutdown Of X Because Of Pornography* Tanzania has decided to block access to social media platform X because it allows pornographic content to be shared, the information minister has said. The content was contrary to the East African state's "laws, culture, customs, and traditions," Jerry Silaa told a local TV station. Tanzanians have reported that access to X has been restricted in the last two weeks after political tensions rose and the police account was hacked, but there has not yet been a total shutdown of the platform. A Tanzanian rights group posted on X that Silaa's comments reflected a "troubling pattern of digital repression" ahead of October's presidential and parliamentary elections. Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan's government has been accused of becoming increasingly repressive as it campaigns to remain in office. In its post, the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) said that X, then known as Twitter, faced a similar shutdown in the run-up to the 2020 election, and the "recurrence" of restrictions raised "serious concerns about the openness of digital space" in Tanzania. The popular social audio app Clubhouse and messaging service Telegram are also inaccessible without the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPN), the rights group added. It said it was troubling that while the minister confirmed the government's role in blocking X, government officials and public institutions continued to use the platform. "This inconsistency confuses the public and undermines the credibility of the government's position," LHRC added. In his interview, Silaa linked the ban to X's announcement last year that it would no longer block "consensually produced and distributed" adult content. The minister was quoted as saying that X has "permitted explicit sexual material, including same-sex pornographic content" in breach of Tanzania's online "ethics guidelines. "Even on YouTube, you might notice that some content is inaccessible. That's part of our broader effort to protect consumers and ensure that all online platforms operating in our country comply with our laws," Silaa said. On 20 May, internet watchdog Netblocks reported that Tanzania had blocked X following reports that the official police account had been hacked, showing pornographic material and falsely claiming that the president had died. Pornographic content also appeared on the hacked YouTube account of the tax authority, AFP news agency reported. It is unclear who carried out the hacking, but it coincided with a government crackdown on Kenyan and Ugandan human rights campaigners who had gone to Tanzania to show solidarity with main opposition leader Tundu Lissu. He has been detained on a charge of treason after he said he would spearhead a campaign to boycott the elections if the laws were not changed to allow for a free and fair poll. Kenya's former Justice Minister Martha Karua was among those deported after arriving at the international airport in Tanzania's main city Dar es Salaam, ahead of a court appearance by Lissu. He denies the treason charge, saying the case is political. Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Uganda's Agather Atuhaire were allowed to enter, but were then detained for several days. After returning home, Atuhaire told the BBC that she had been blindfolded, "violently" stripped and sexually assaulted. On Monday, Mwangi said he too had been sexually abused in detention and was told by his torturers to say "asante" (thank you in the Swahili language) to their president. Dar es Salaam's police chief denied the allegations, saying they were "opinions" and "hearsay". Regional rights groups have called for an investigation, and Amnesty International said Tanzanian authorities should hold to account those responsible for the "inhuman" treatment. President Samia has said that her government will not tolerate activists from other East African states "meddling" in Tanzania's affairs and causing "chaos". She inherited the presidency following the death in 2021 of then-President John Magufuli, and was widely praised for allowing greater political freedom. But her critics say she is showing the same authoritarian tendencies as Magufuli as she prepares to contest her first election as the ruling party's presidential candidate. The government says Tanzania is a stable democracy, and the poll will be free and fair. *BBC* *Trump Bans Nationals From 12 Countries, Citing Security Concerns* U.S. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Wednesday banning the nationals of 12 countries from entering the United States, saying the move was needed to protect against "foreign terrorists" and other security threats. The countries affected are Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. The entry of people from seven other countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela, will be partially restricted. The travel restrictions were first reported by CBS News. "We will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm," Trump said in a video posted on X. He said the list could be revised and new countries could be added. The proclamation is effective on June 9, 2025 at 12:01 am EDT (0401 GMT). Visas issued before that date will not be revoked, the order said. During his first term in office, Trump announced a ban on travelers from seven majority-Muslim nations, a policy that went through several iterations before it was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. Former President Joe Biden, a Democrat who succeeded Trump, repealed the ban in 2021, calling it "a stain on our national conscience." Trump said the countries subject to the most severe restrictions were determined to harbor a "large-scale presence of terrorists," fail to cooperate on visa security and have an inability to verify travelers' identities, inadequate record-keeping of criminal histories and high rates of visa overstays in the United States. "We cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen those who seek to enter the United States," Trump said. He cited Sunday's incident in Boulder, Colorado in which a man tossed a gasoline bomb into a crowd of pro-Israel demonstrators as an example of why the new restrictions are needed. An Egyptian national, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, has been charged in the attack. Federal officials said Soliman had overstayed his tourist visa and had an expired work permit - although Egypt is not on the list of countries facing travel limits. Somalia immediately pledged to work with the U.S. to address security issues. "Somalia values its longstanding relationship with the United States and stands ready to engage in dialogue to address the concerns raised," Dahir Hassan Abdi, the Somali ambassador to the United States, said in a statement. Trump's directive is part of an immigration crackdown that he launched at the start of his second term. He previewed his plan in an October 2023 speech, pledging to restrict people from the Gaza Strip, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen and "anywhere else that threatens our security." Trump issued an executive order on January 20 requiring intensified security vetting of any foreigners seeking admission to the U.S. to detect national security threats. That order directed several cabinet members to submit a list of countries from which travel should be partly or fully suspended because their "vetting and screening information is so deficient." In March, Reuters reported that the Trump administration was considering travel restrictions on dozens of countries. *Reuters* *Ronaldo Fires Portugal Past Germany & Into Nations League Final* Cristiano Ronaldo scored again as Portugal came from behind to beat Germany 2-1 in their Nations League semifinal on Wednesday. The 40-year-old Ronaldo captained Portugal and scored his 137th international goal five minutes after substitute Francisco Conceição equalised with a blistering shot in the 63rd. Ronaldo became the oldest player to ever score against Germany while ending his "curse" against the country. The former Real Madrid star lost each of the previous five games he played against Germany. Liverpool target Florian Wirtz had given the home team a 48th-minute lead with a perfectly placed header inside the right post, but Portugal coach Roberto Martínez made his changes count as he brought on Conceicao and Champions League winner Vitinha among the substitutes. Vitinha excelled as Portugal finished the game in the ascendancy just four days after he helped Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) win the Champions League final against Inter Milan in the same stadium on Saturday. Germany needed goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen at his best to prevent the visitors from scoring any more. PSG wing-backs Joao Neves and Nuno Mendes both started for Portugal, while Stuttgart forward Nick Woltemade started for his Germany debut. Conceicao only needed five minutes to make a mark with a brilliant long-range strike inside the far post after he surged past Robin Gosens like he was not there. Mendes gave Ronaldo a simple finish five minutes after that. "It could have been more," Mendes said. Earlier in the day, UEFA warned matchgoers of possible thunderstorms in the Bavarian capital forecast for kickoff time. About an hour before the originally scheduled kickoff time of 9pm, a storm swept across northern Munich, lashing the stadium with rain and leaving the arena grass carpeted in hailstones. Goalkepers from both sides had begun their warm-up when the storm hit. France plays Spain in Stuttgart on Thursday in the other semifinal. *Al Jazeera* *VAR Saves Warriors To Pick A Draw Against Mauritius* The Warriors’ COSAFA Cup tournament campaign started with a nil-all draw against Mauritius in a Group A match played on Wednesday evening at Free State stadium in South Africa. Zimbabwe sent a youthful squad to COSAFA, with goalkeeper Martin Mapisa (27) as the oldest. Zimbabwe could have gone a goal up before the break, but Tinotenda Meke failed to convert two clear chances in the 32nd and 41st minutes. Coming back to the second half, Mauritius proved to be a better side, as they made several attacks in search of a goal. The Dodos went on to score a goal in the 72nd minute, only for it to be cancelled after the intervention of VAR. Despite making a few changes, the Warriors failed to create meaningful chances upfront, although they dominated possession in the final ten minutes. Team captain Andrew Mbeba almost gave Zimbabwe the much-needed goal in the 91st minute, only for his header to slightly miss the target. Zimbabwe is now sitting third in the group with one point, the same as second-place occupiers Mauritius. Mozambique is topping Group A with 3 points after beating South Africa 1-0, Wednesday afternoon. The Warriors will be back in action on Saturday when they face neighbours South Africa in the second match of the campaign. *NewZW*