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Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
IT was not the final anyone could have predicted at the start of the competition but both Bulawayo Chiefs and Herentals stepped up to the challenge.
Flashes of brilliance were displayed by both sides with football lovers turning up in their numbers to watch the final of the country’s only top-flight knockout tournament.
With a roadshow having been held around Bulawayo before the final, an impressive crowd trooped to Emagumeni, with the majority backing Bulawayo-side, Chiefs.
Here are some highlights from the cup final.
Good Crowd
It certainly wasn’t the crowd that was expected on the day. For a final that did not feature any of the big teams in the country, it was quite an impressive crowd, estimated at close to 10 000. It was just a dollar for entry compared to the usual three-dollar fee for Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matches. Could it be the reduced gate charges, the impressive midweek marketing road shows and ticket giveaways?
Judging from the crowd yesterday, people still love their local football.
No doubt Highlanders fans decided to back their neighbours, Bulawayo Chiefs.
Mfundisi goes green
It all started with a WhatsApp message where famous Highlanders fan “Mfundisi” was alerting Highlanders supporters that he would turn green for just 24 hours. Just after 1 PM, Mfundisi did make his appearance in a green gown much to the appreciation of those that had made their way into the stadium. As per tradition he did his lap around the stadium and was warmly received by fans. Well, he was not alone. Sensing they had support from their big brothers, Chiefs replicated the Highlanders FC symbol just before kick-off much to the delight of the Soweto stand, which was almost full.
History made
Both sides were playing in their first-ever Cup final.
They were both promoted in 2018. This was a historic feat as Chiefs won their first-ever silverware.
The Twitter Kings, with 78 100 followers on the microblogging and social networking service Twitter became the Cup Kings in the City of Kings. True geniuses.
Magwaza stellar performance
In the scorching heat, rhumba artiste Clement Magwaza showed that he is by far the best rhumba live stage performer as he dished out a top-drawer performance. For an hour between 1 and 2PM.
Magwaza and his Macrey Super Sounds kept fans on their feet, enticing those who usually get into the stadium late, to make an early entry. Iyasa also did not disappoint, entertaining the crowd just before the start of the match and at half-time.
Benza’s make history
It’s perhaps the first time it happened. Father and son making a local cup final starting line-up. That is exactly what happened as Tino and his father Innocent lined up for the Students.
The Mpilo End was the home of Herentals. Purple was the colour. The Students — as Herentals FC are fondly known — were well represented in the City of Kings. One would have been forgiven to assume Herentals FC is a Bulawayo side. — @innocentskizoe
Online Reporter