Bosso, DeMbare fans unite against violence

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS and Dynamos supporters’ groups have called on both sets of supporters to exercise self-restraint and refrain from violence when the two giants clash in a league match tomorrow. The two groups’ leadership said fans should appreciate and accept the final outcome and must not question match officials’ decisions. They also challenged match officials to exhibit professionalism and avoid being biased.

Peacot Hadebe, the chairman of the Highlanders supporters’ group, Heart and Soul, said his group had always advocated for peace, regardless of the outcome of the match.

“This is just a game and we are appealing to our supporters to accept the result. Let us exercise restraint and avoid throwing missiles onto the pitch as it will not help anyone but place a financial burden on our already limping club,” said Hadebe.

Hadebe’s counterpart, the Dynamos Supporters’ Association Bulawayo Chapter chairman, Panas Madziya, said there must be calm and peace at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow and violence, whether from the Dynamos fans or Highlanders supporters, was not welcome at all.

He said people need to accept that football is just a sport with three possible outcomes, a win, loss or draw. “We are saying let us go in our numbers and rally behind our teams but not in a violent way. Let us show the world that we are brothers after all because remember this game will also be beamed live on high definition. There are also some Dynamos supporters who usually sing derogatory songs about Highlanders, I am saying let us stop that for the sake of peace and the game,” said Madziya.

He also called on the match officials of the day to be above board and avoid being biased as that was likely to cause violence.
“The referees must show no fear or favour but just do their job,s” said Madziya.

As part of their peace initiative, Highlanders and Dynamos supporters will today play a friendly match at the Highlanders Clubhouse before drinking together after the match.

“We do that every week especially if the team is playing at home. This is our way of spreading the peace gospel because we believe we are brothers and football is also a family sport not a war zone,” said Hadebe.