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Eddie Chikamhi-Senior Sports Reporter
DYNAMOS supporters are planning to paint Harare blue again today as they drum up the numbers ahead of their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match against Simba Bhora at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon.
The pre-match roadshows, which began late last year, are becoming popular with the Glamour Boys fans, who are desperate to return to the good old days when they used to fill up the country’s stadiums, and seeing their team enjoying success.
Today’s roadshow has received the backing of the Dynamos Supporters Association Bulawayo Chapter who are expected to roll into the capital city in their hordes today.
The Bulawayo Chapter organised the first roadshow when Dynamos opened their campaign for the 2023 season against Hwange in Bulawayo two weeks ago.
They handed over the baton stick to their Harare colleagues, who managed to mobilise close to 6 000 paying fans for their game against Sheasham at the National Sports Stadium last weekend.
Although still a long way to go to reach the yesteryear attendance levels, this was a marked improvement as DeMbare had averaged less than 2 000 supporters per game last season.
“We are expecting a bigger crowd this time around,” said Dynamos Supporters Harare Chapter chairman Khain Nyambuya. “If you noticed, the numbers have been increasing and we expect more people to be part of the road shows as the season progresses. “This is a necessary activity because many people had lost interest in going to the stadium since the time of the Covid-19 restrictions.
“But we are saying football is back. Let us fill up the stadium and make our football more enjoyable. We need to go back to the good old days when the stadium would burst with fans in the terraces.
“Of course, the National Sports Stadium is too big to fill up but we are more than capable of getting decent numbers. Dynamos always performs to its best when the fans are solidly behind the team.
“Let’s not forget that fans form the biggest component among the stakeholders. Even the sponsors are assured of value for their money when the stadiums are filled to capacity.
“So everyone who claims to be a Dynamos fan should demonstrate by showing up at the stadium and actively supporting the team.” The roadshow today is expected to start at the Zimbabwe Grounds in Highfield after a social football match between the Harare and Bulawayo chapters of the DeMbare supporters.
The procession will make its way to the Central Business District in Harare where a bigger crowd is expected. The convoy will then head to Warren Park before they land at the National Sports Stadium in time for the kick-off.
Apparently, the DeMbare fans had lost interest in their team in the last two seasons, complaining of “boring football” which also lacked results.
But indications so far demonstrate they have been impressed by the way their team has started the season after winning two games, with a bit of flair, against Hwange and new boys Sheasham.
The Dynamos fans are rallying solidly behind the team and the technical bench of Hebert ”Jompano” Maruwa and his assistants Genesis Mangombe and club legend Murape Murape.
This year, the DeMbare fans have adopted a hashtag “kakai ngoma” which loosely translates to the act of preparing the musical drums in anticipation of celebrations.
Benevolence Vono, who is the Dynamos Harare Chapter secretary-general, said they are prepared to go the distance.
“In a football game, it’s all about results and the type of football being played which either attracts or drives off fans.
“Right now we have a new team and a new coach. So far so good, we have seen some improvement compared to how the team performed last season. If only they can avoid defeat for now, we look forward to a good season.
“The players should keep level heads. Otherwise we are very confident of this team and we are prepared to support them through thick and thin. We have the capacity to win the title and we must go for it,” said Vono.
The DeMbare fans have also welcomed the gesture by the Premier Soccer League to slash off the gate entry charges down to US$2 for the cheapest ticket.
They have also initiated discussions between the club and ZUPCO to avail US$1 deals to ensure affordable and reliable transport to ferry fans from their localities straight to the stadium.
“It’s still work in progress,” said Nyambuya.
“It has to be a win-win deal. I am sure once ZUPCO sees that the numbers are viable they will be agreeable to this arrangement.
“That one dollar saved means a lot to most of the fans. Our members have been complaining about having to commute twice to reach the stadium.
“We keep our fingers crossed. For now, the fans are happy with the situation at the club. The lines of communication between the supporters and the club’s management are more open than before and that harmony should continue,” said Nyambuya.
He also said awareness campaigns were being conducted among the DeMbare fans during the roadshows to observe the laws of the country and make the stadium a safe place. “Through these gatherings, it is easier to put the message across to the fans especially when we speak against stadium violence and hooliganism.
“People should feel free to come to the stadium. We have trained marshals among us to help with the security.
“They will be monitoring all the happenings and those that embark in unruly behaviour will be identified and handed over to the police.
“Hooligans should be accountable for their actions as individuals. The club should never be punished because of certain unruly elements hiding among the fans,” said Nyambuya.
The DeMbare fans reckon the clash against Simba Bhora will not be easy because of the several sub-plots involved.
Simba Bhora, who are playing in the Premiership football for the first time, have been viewed as a carbon copy of the Glamour Boys as they have in their ranks a host of former DeMbare players.
As many as nine ex-DeMbare players are now part of the Shamva side. The team is also home to Dynamos son Tonderai Ndiraya, who left the Harare giants during the off-season to join the new boys as their head coach.
Simba Bhora are also home to former DeMbare chairman Isaiah Mupfurutsa, who also crossed the floor recently to join the Shamva side in the same capacity.
Ndiraya and Mupfurutsa were apparently pushed out of the club and have a lot of emotional baggage on their shoulders ahead of the meeting with their former paymaster. The teams have met with contrasting fortunes this season. While Dynamos won both games against Hwange (1-0) and Sheasham (4-0), Simba Bhora fell to champions FC Platinum (2-1) and Chicken Inn (1-0).
Fixtures
Today: Simba Bhora v Dynamos (NSS), Sheasham v Yadah (Mandava), Bulawayo Chiefs v Black Rhinos (Luveve), Cranborne Bullets v Chicken Inn (Baobab Stadium)
Tomorrow: CAPS United v ZPC Kariba (NSS), Highlanders v FC Platinum (Barbourfields), Triangle United v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Gibbo), Hwange v GreenFuel (Luveve).
Online Reporter