A year of agony for local football fans

Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
THE suspension of football action in March, threw football fans askew and left them hoping and wishing for a return to stadiums but we all know that was not be in 2020.

As other leagues started opening up and playing, hope began creeping in and talk of a mini-tournament gave fans belief they might get to watch their favourite teams in action.

But the year is coming to an end with only the Castle Challenge Cup between Highlanders and FC Platinum having been played and for most supporters it is the stadium atmosphere that they crave the most.

Botswana-based Highlanders fan, Mandla Maphosa’s first port of call when he arrived in the city on Wednesday was to head to Barbourfields Stadium as the nostalgia of going to watch Bosso at the facility had hit him.

Fans who spoke to Sunday News Sport said it was the camaraderie that engulf stadiums they are missing the most.
Bulawayo-based FC Platinum fan, McLean Mhazi said the carnival atmosphere at stadiums is the thrill that he has been missing.

“Live action at the stadiums bonds fans, we go to watch matches with friends, refresh as we cheer and watch and the depression accrued at home and work is reduced during the soccer fanfare.

“The lockdown has seen some fans fill the void of the absence of soccer by drinking at bottle stores and as there are no ablution facilities, they relieve themselves in the open at the shops and we are witnessing a lot of obscenities in behaviour and talk,” he said.

Dynamos supporter, Mildred Muringani of Mpopoma said she could not have imagined spending a year without watching her favorite team as travelling to watch DeMbare had become one of her top pastimes.

“I would sit at home on some Sundays thinking about where I would be had my team been playing. Going to the stadium gives you a certain thrill you don’t get anywhere, that excitement of being around fellow fans, all that singing and I miss watching DeMbare win.

“I used to travel even to Harare on some weekends just to watch Chazunguza and filling in that gap has been impossible.

“I hope the game will return next year and even if we are going to watch it on television at the start, I know as we go forward, we are going to be allowed into the stadiums,” she said.

Noah Mpofu, who supports Highlanders, said it was a difficult full year without watching his favourite team as going to Emagumeni (Barbourfields) has been his routine every week since 1989 and that place has become part of him where he meets most of his friends and the players.

“Even though I could watch my other favourite teams Liverpool and Orlando Pirates on television, it hasn’t been the same without going to BF where the environment is so intimidating to our opponents but very friendly to me.

“The most difficult part was for me failing to watch my favourite stars that includes the likes of Prince Dube until he left the club.

“My plea to Zifa and the Premier Soccer League is to consider resuming the game as soon as possible as this has impacted badly on the players, coaches and soccer fans who are ready for the most beautiful game,” he said.

Melusi Khumalo said prior this year, his life revolved around his side Highlanders, going to watch the team almost every training session and on match day.

“I was not ready to live without football, I was going to most training sessions and I would not miss a game at home and made every effort to ensure I also travelled to away matches.

“I miss being in the stadium and watching the boys in action, seeing new talent emerge is also what I had been looking forward to,” he said.

Khumalo said travelling to watch the team was another element that he missed and last year he had followed the team to away games including to the resort town of Kariba.

He said he is looking forward to seeing his side come back rejuvenated and formidable in the coming season which he hopes will start early in the year.

Another Highlanders fan, Nigel Mhlanga of Sizinda said it was difficult to get used staying at home, particularly on Sundays.

He said trying to get into a new routine has been difficult and he had been expecting to see the game make a return before the end of the year.

“I miss being deep inside the Soweto stand, the singing and that whole passion that comes from being with other fans.

“I was looking forward to seeing Mark Harrison take on the squad and how he was going to build it and perform this season.

“Although we got to watch foreign leagues, admittedly it is not the same as watching Highlanders. Again, with no DStv, we had to rely on friends but with late kickoff, we missed some games,” he said.

“The mini tournament would have been certainly welcome but I guess we have to wait for next year.”

Mhazi, who lives in Gwabalanda, said matches on television appear as delayed games, they lack the vibe and scenes witnessed at stadiums including the way players respond to fans on the terraces.

“I think the presence of fans inspires the players and improves their psyche as they are cheered on by their supporters, with no backers I don’t think they will perform at their peak,” he said.

Mhazi said unfortunately his nephew who used to sell fruits and drinks at stadiums had his income affected by lack of football action.