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Raymond Jaravaza
AMATEUR videos captured at gate three at Barbourfields Stadium in April showed legendary grassroots football development guru Ali “Baba” Dube being denied entry into the stadium.
He was not accredited to watch Premiership giants Highlanders play Caps United nor did he have a complimentary ticket on that fateful afternoon that he was told in no uncertain terms by those manning the entrance to pay or go back home.
Gate three at BF is an entrance reserved for holders of privileged Premier Soccer League cards such as journalists, club officials or individuals with complimentary tickets.
The respected coach tried to reason with security that by virtue of being a recognisable figure in football, he deserved free entry, a school of thought that security and PSL officials did not buy.
Efforts by those who had recognised him as the same coach who gave his whole life to junior football development in Bulawayo, nurturing the budding talents of many football players — past and present — also fell on deaf ears as security stood their ground.
The viral video sent social media on overdrive with football fans, former players, and officials debating whether free entry for the country’s football legends, be it in the field of play or administration, was a right or a privilege.
Blogger Mako Gold said free entry into stadiums is not a right but a privilege.
“I can’t go back to the Herald and demand a free copy (newspaper). Free entry is a privilege, not a right,” said the former Sunday Mail Sports Editor.
Aspiring Bosso chairman in the last elections Nodumo Nyathi feels former players can be organised into groups and take turns to watch Highlanders in action, free of charge.
Another school of thought from ex-Warriors defender Herbert Dick suggests that the league needs the presence of former players to draw fans back into the stadiums.
Cases of former players being denied free entry into stadiums are now a weekly occurrence in stadia across the country, from BF to Rufaro. Former players say they are being treated like lepers by those now in charge of the game.
Those who advocate for free entry into stadiums for ex-players draw parallels between the treatment of soccer legends overseas and locally to make their case. Former players are treated like kings in Europe, they argue.
Take for instance how ex-Manchester City and Portsmouth striker Benjani Mwaruwaru gushes about how his former clubs invite him for special games where he is treated like royalty.
“I’m currently on my way to Wembley for the FA Cup final. I get invited by Manchester City all the time. They’ve never forgotten me after I scored in the Manchester derby. I was also recently at the Man City versus Real Madrid, Champions League game,” he told a South African radio station recently.
“I actually get invited by many of my former teams when they know I’m around. I was recently at a Portsmouth game. The other time I was in France, I was invited by Auxerre,” he added.
The treatment of former players is not restricted to invitations to matches only, at least according to Mwaruwaru’s experiences.
‘‘I’m still based in the UK. I’m part of the Premier League’s coaching programme. It’s called the Professional Player to Coach Scheme. It aims to benefit Black and Asian former players. I’ve now been placed with Plymouth Argyle for 23 months and the Premier League scheme pays me,” he added.
Back to the local game, pictures of former Caps United defender Dumisani Mpofu standing outside Rufaro Stadium, frustrated after being denied entry made social media rounds, again.
Mpofu had apparently, been invited by his former club to watch the Harare derby against Dynamos. At the gates of Rufaro, the legendary defender was embarrassed by security who told him to pay.
He was not alone in the public undressing at the hands of the Rufaro security team. The club was forced to issue a public apology the following day.
“Our sincerest apologies to the CAPS Legends and all other valuable stakeholders who faced stadium entry challenges including those who failed to enter at all despite their efforts. We understand the embarrassment and frustration you encountered and it greatly concerns us. Control systems that were used were strict and beyond our control as CAPS United. Efforts are being put in place to engage all the relevant authorities so that this kind of humiliation won’t happen again,” wrote CAPS United.
Online Reporter