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What was supposed to be the preview of what is in store from both teams was spoilt by some rowdy fans. They hijacked the match for their own selfish agendas yet it was supposed to be an afternoon of celebration of the game and its strength to unite people.
Organisers led by Stan Kasukuwere have all the good intentions to celebrate the President’s birthdays through sport, a powerful tool for social intercourse and integration of the nation.
That several people were injured is unfortunate and is deplorable.
Law enforcements agents should stop treating hooligans with kids’ gloves. Every match is always a time to act before a worse off incident happens and claims lives.
Stoning of vehicles, houses and other fans is a barbaric act. Football is just but a game and should stay like that with issues of indiscipline nipped in the bud before people die.
Ugly scenes discourage fans from coming in numbers and sponsors from coming on board lest they be associated with hooliganism.
It was wrong for Highlanders supporters to attack their Dynamos counterparts as shown in the picture we published on our back page yesterday.
It was also equally disturbing that Dynamos fans threw missiles onto the field in protest at what appeared a legitimate yellow card on time-wasting DeMbare goalkeeper George Chigova.
Supporters must not turn themselves into match officials and should observe Fair Play, which is enforced by match officials.
Mlindeli Ndebele and his assistants are lucky that they did not fall victim to missile throwing fans as beer was being sold in cans and bottles. These two are potential lethal weapons and elsewhere in the world beer is sold in stadia in plastic containers which pause no danger to anyone.
Organisers of the match should shoulder part of the blame for the fans’ rowdy behaviour inside the stadium because some of the supporters were clearly drunk as exhibited by their deplorable behaviour.
It has become a trend that both sets of fans, especially those at the Mpilo End and Soweto sing derogatory songs with tribal connotations.
If there is to be tranquility at matches name-calling songs or those that demean their opponents should stop. Clubs must take the lead and spearhead campaigns that promote soccer staying a family event like athletics, cricket, basketball, hockey, volleyball and other disciplines.
The effect of those songs is that they incite ill-feeling towards each set of supporters resulting in both drunken and sober fans fighting in the stadium or outside.
In most instances drunk fans or the emotional sober ones tend to provoke the other team’s supporters by trying to show off and in the process their friends run away leaving them at the mercy of a mob.
Dynamos and Highlanders leaders have a tall order to ensure that their fans preach messages of peace and love at stadiums.
The organisers of Sunday’s match should in future work with supporters’ representatives of both teams in identifying ways to fight against hooliganism.
Police should also use modern technology to identify troublemakers and ensure that repeat offenders do not find their way near our stadiums again.
Online Reporter