admin
THE Highlanders versus Dynamos Castle Lager Premiership match set for Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow should serve as an advertisement of the country’s soccer local league with both teams showcasing their talents before a continental audience thanks to digital satellite pay television station SuperSport.
The magnitude of the game is so huge that the South African station MultiChoice saw it prudent to flight it in the splendour of High Definition on its DStv SuperSport 9 channel and as Zimbabweans we should be proud that this game has been given special attention. The onus is thus on the teams and their set of fans to put up a spectacular show to rival any so that the game of football benefits the most from this encounter.
On a weekend in which there are high profile derbies in the Spanish and South African soccer leagues, the Battle of Zimbabwe stands to take pride of place among the elite of global football with the El Clasico in Spain pitting Real Madrid and Barcelona and the Soweto derby in South Africa in which Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates will lock horns taking place at the same time. On the local front, another potentially explosive derby featuring the Zvishavane sides FC Platinum and Shabanie will serve as a fitting curtain raiser to the real deal when the mining town clubs clash this afternoon.
It therefore promises to be a feast of entertainment for fans of the beautiful game and we pray that everything goes smoothly and football emerges the winner. The history of the Battle of Zimbabwe matches featuring the country’s oldest and most followed clubs is as long as the league itself and yesteryear matches involving the giants of Zimbabwean football have always been tense hard fought contests with all the hype, drama and banter which usually accompany them.
The games have held the nation spellbound and both sets of fans have generally behaved well with sporadic incidents of violence initiated by a few malcontents marring some of them. We are glad that no major disasters have been recorded in the history of the matches involving Highlanders and Dynamos and are confident that tomorrow’s game will be no different. In fact, we are encouraged by the camaraderie that now appears to exist between Bosso and DeMbare fans as evidenced by sentiments emanating from both camps.
There is no doubt that Bulawayo will, beginning today, be painted black, white and blue as fans of the two teams seek to outdo each other in rooting for their teams. This apparent “invasion” of the City of Kings by soccer crazy fanatics from Harare and other towns will undoubtedly bring life to Bulawayo and boost the fortunes of various service providers such as hotels, lodges and other places of entertainment like bars and nightclubs.
While this hive of activity is good for the city’s fortunes, it also brings with it a headache for law enforcement agents who will have to deal with inebriated and raucous football fans. If history is anything to go by, the police will have nothing to worry about except to maintain a presence at the stadium and around town because in the past, both Dynamos and Highlanders supporters have behaved well. It will thus be left to the two teams to put on a scintillating show to delight their multitudes of followers.
Heroes and villains will emerge from this game in equal measure and we expect a cagey and nail-biting encounter. With the pressure building up ahead of the game, we urge both teams not to exert pressure on match officials by making disparaging remarks about certain officials and seeking to handpick referees. Team officials should know that by leading these two big teams, they have a huge responsibility not to fan emotions by making inflammatory statements that might incite their supporters.
The responsibility of appointing referees lies with the Zimbabwe Referees’ Committee and let’s allow them to do their job without undue interference and pressure. In this vein, we are glad that authorities are keeping the identities of the match officials under wraps until tomorrow so that they remain free from unwarranted pressure and influence by the two teams. Granted, a lot is riding on this game but it is not a matter of life and death.
The game of football is only 90 minutes long and it is pointless to stake your life on it. It’s only a football match at the end of the day. We therefore exhort both sets of fans to behave well and not engage in violence. Football should be a family sport where people feel free to bring their loved ones without the need to engage bouncers to ensure one’s safety.
Authorities should adopt zero tolerance to violence at all costs and troublemakers at stadia should be blacklisted and banned from soccer matches as is the norm in other leagues overseas. With a big television audience for tomorrow’s game, our players have an opportunity to market themselves and this is their chance to shine on the big stage. So all is set for an intriguing contest and we cannot wait. May the best team win.
Online Reporter