Langton Nyakwenda, Zimpapers Sports Hub
FOR beneficiaries of Angel of Hope Drug Rehabilitation Centre, last Friday was a memorable day filled with excitement, inspiration and renewed hope.
They had a rare opportunity to meet star footballers at Scottland Football Complex in Ruwa, where Angel of Hope Drug Rehabilitation Centre played Scottland’s reserve side.
It was much more than just a football match. It was a memorable occasion filled with excitement, laughter and an opportunity for the beneficiaries to meet some of Zimbabwe’s finest football stars.
Hundreds of beneficiaries registered with the rehabilitation centre thronged Scottland Football Complex to support their team.
Before kick-off, the beneficiaries had a rare opportunity to interact with their football heroes, including Knowledge Musona, Khama Billiat and Emmanuel Jalai, who play for Scottland’s senior team.
When the referee blew the first whistle, the beneficiaries showcased their talent in front of their founder, First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa.
The First Lady’s presence added special significance to the occasion, reflecting her passion for sport and her belief in its power to transform lives, particularly among people recovering from drug and substance abuse.
Through the Angel of Hope Foundation, Dr Mnangagwa has also demonstrated her commitment to opening sporting opportunities for children under her care. Children from Dr Auxillia
Mnangagwa Children’s Home, formerly Chambuta Children’s Home, previously travelled to Russia to participate in the BRICS Plus International Sports, Arts and Culture Festival.
The global event promotes peace, security, development and cooperation among BRICS nations through sporting and cultural exchange. Their participation provided the children with an opportunity to showcase their abilities, interact with participants from different countries and gain valuable international exposure.
Her presence at Friday’s match reflected her continued interest in using sport to nurture talent, build confidence and create opportunities for young people, including those rebuilding their lives through rehabilitation.
Although the Angel of Hope team eventually lost the match 8-4, the result was hardly the day’s biggest talking point.
For the beneficiaries, simply stepping onto the pitch was an achievement worth cherishing. The atmosphere was electric even before the referee’s opening whistle.
Beneficiaries seized the opportunity to meet their idols, exchanging hugs, jokes and laughter with the football stars.
For many, it was a dream moment, offering an opportunity to interact with sporting personalities they had previously admired from a distance.
The excitement peaked when former Warriors captain Knowledge Musona, his brother Walter and Khama Billiat made an appearance in the second half, turning out as guest players for Angel of
Hope Drug Rehabilitation Centre.
Legendary Peter Ndlovu and Lincoln Zvasiya also featured for Angel of Hope. Interestingly, the two former footballers are part of Scottland’s technical team, but on this occasion, they crossed over to represent the rehabilitation centre.
The participation of Musona and Billiat added a special touch to an already memorable afternoon, demonstrating the power of football as a social tool.
“It was a great day and it was very important also for the beneficiaries to realise that there’s much to do in sport than in doing drugs,” Musona said.
The former Kaizer Chiefs star also praised First Lady Dr Mnangagwa for coming up with an initiative that is now helping thousands of people battling drug and substance abuse.
“As you saw, they had fun, they enjoyed football.
“So I think it’s good for all of Zimbabwe, because this takes people away from doing the bad things and it brings people together so that they can have a good time without taking some things that are not good for their health.
“It’s a great initiative and I really wish that a lot of these things happen so that a lot of people stay away from drugs,” added Musona.
Scottland Football Complex, which hosted the encounter, provided an impressive setting for the occasion.
The multi-million-dollar facility, built by Mabvuku legislator and Scottland owner Pedzai Scott Sakupwanya, is the training base for the 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions.
After the match, the First Lady toured the impressive Scottland FC Village in Ruwa, where she had an opportunity to appreciate the club’s investment in football infrastructure and player welfare.
The sprawling complex boasts modern training grounds, a clubhouse and purpose-built accommodation villas for players, among other facilities designed to provide a professional environment for training, competition and recovery.
The development reflects an ambitious vision to create a comprehensive football village where players can live, train and prepare for matches under one roof, while supporting talent development and the professionalisation of football in Zimbabwe.
The complex also features a gymnasium, an Olympic-size swimming pool, a restaurant and a conference centre, broadening its sporting, recreational and hospitality offering.
While Scottland’s reserve side may have emerged victorious on the football field, the afternoon delivered something far more meaningful for Angel of Hope beneficiaries.
One of the beneficiaries, Douglas Ncube, was happy to finally play football alongside stars such as Billiat and Musona.
In fact, Ncube had the potential to play football at a higher level, but drug abuse disrupted his career.
Ncube played school football at Dzivaresekwa 2 High and Pamushana.
“Today reminded me of the mistake I made. I regret the choice I made to indulge in drugs,” a remorseful Ncube told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
However, Ncube, who is now 32, still has hope.
“I am on the road to recovery and I will be back to normal,” he said.
He added: “Today (Friday) was a wonderful day. We mingled with football stars and it was a great inspiration to us.
“I started doing drugs when I completed my Ordinary Level studies and I now realise drugs affected my life.
“Maybe I could have gone on to play top-flight football. So, I want to thank the First Lady for coming up with this initiative.
“I also want to thank Honourable Pedzai Sakupwanya for the support he continues to give to football.”
Friday was indeed a celebration of hope, togetherness and the power of sport to inspire. In the end, the scoreline did not matter because that was not the purpose.
Angel of Hope Drug Rehabilitation Centre lost 8-4 to their more illustrious opponents.
