Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira
WHAT was supposed to be “just a friendly” turned into a full-blown festival of noise, colour and defiance at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday as Highlanders fans gave Wicknell Chivayo (Sdudla as he is now affectionately called by the Bosso faithful) and their new coach Benjani Mwaruwari a thunderous seal of approval.
Heading into the Jairos Jiri Charity Cup clash against arch-rivals Dynamos, there had been lingering doubts.
Social media had been ablaze for weeks, with some sections of the Bosso faithful questioning the club leadership’s decision to accept a sponsorship package from flamboyant businessman Wicknell Chivayo, a deal that came with the appointment of former Warriors captain Benjani Mwaruwari as head coach. Would the fans protest?
Would they show disapproval?
Would Benjani survive his first big date with Bosso’s most bitter rivals?
By the time the teams walked out onto the Barbourfields turf, those questions had been drowned out by song, dance and a sea of black-and-white. This may have been labelled a pre-season encounter, but the atmosphere suggested a cup final.
Drums rolled at Mpilo end, whistles pierced the Bulawayo air and creative placards flooded the terraces.
Some supporters wore boldly printed T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan: “Sidla imali kaChivayo” loosely translated to “We are enjoying Chivayo’s money.”
Others had T-shirts fondly emblazoned “Sikholisa Imali yesidudla”
When Nigerian striker Benjamin Adeogun struck the decisive goal in the second-half to hand Bosso a 1-0 win, the carnival mood exploded. Popular musician Fab G’s hit “Imali Yesgweja” was cheekily remixed on the terraces into “Yamnandi imali yesidudla.” The chant “Chivayo liShona leBosso!” echoed around BF long after the final whistle.
It was loud. It was clear. It was approval.
Highlanders’ fan Sineke Maseko said: “We went there ready to see what will happen. People talked too much on Facebook, but this is our club. If the money helps Bosso and we are winning, why not? Today we showed that we stand behind the team.”
Themba Siziba said: “When the deal was pitched, we thought maybe Chivayo is imposing himself on us but l feel what he has done so far shows he has good intentions for the club and we need his support. If the players are happy and the team is winning we are happy,” said Siziba. Another fan, Thabela Moyo said the victory had sealed her belief.
“We were not sure at first, especially about Benjani. But beating Dynamos even in a friendly means something. You could see the passion. The fans have spoken.”
For Mwaruwari, the afternoon carried enormous weight. As he emerged from the dressing room before kick-off, he looked composed but fully aware of the expectation resting on his shoulders. Across the pitch stood Dynamos, and although the match was in aid of charity, pride was on the line.
At half-time, with the score still goalless and Dynamos having a goal ruled out, tension rippled through the packed stadium.
But four minutes into the second-half, Adeogun’s strike shifted everything from nerves to belief.
When the final whistle sounded, Mwaruwari was embraced by members of his technical team before acknowledging the roaring Soweto End.
It was a symbolic moment for the new coach receiving the trust of supporters who had demanded proof before pledging allegiance.
“This fixture is always important,” Mwaruwari said afterwards. “I told the boys to treat it as pre-season and take the pressure off. I’m happy with what I saw. We are building.”
On a day that began with uncertainty, Barbourfields transformed into a carnival of endorsement. Chivayo’s backing has money behind it — and now, it appears, it has the Bosso faithful too.
