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Alois Bunjira-Special Correspondent
LAST week I was in my hometown of Zengeza in Chitungwiza and got disappointed by the lack of participation in football by the locals — young and old. I am talking about street football and organised Area Zone football.
I wrote about it last week.
I travelled to Mutare this past weekend to meet up with some football legends there. I should say I was equally disappointed by the lack of vibe fo football in the Eastern City of Zimbabwe.
That weekend Manica Diamonds were playing Ngezi Diamonds on the Sunday.
I arrived in Mutare on the Friday and was excited by meeting the first batch of legends, some of whom I had not seen in a long time.
We sat down and started discussing football matters.
It was sad to note that most of the legends, most of whom are Tanganda FC legends, are not involved in organised football in Mutare.
Only Shephered Muradzikwa is involved with Mutare City Rovers.
They narrated the same gloomy story of how the love for football had deteriorated in the City of Mutare, and how they are systematically excluded.
So many factors were raised as contributing to the deterioration.
I was just shaking my head in disbelief as the guys narrated the days of Tanganda and the football vibe that was there across Mutare.
Every talented young footballer wanted to play for Tanganda and the streets were always packed with wannabe footballers.
The people of Mutare loved Tanganda, which was dominated by homegrown talent.
The next day, Saturday, I met up with another batch of former footballers who shared the same gloomy view.
We drove around the streets of Sakubva and the streets of Dangamvura and realised the same problem I noted in Chitungwiza was also prevailing in Mutare.
But in all this, what disappointed me the most was the lack of interest in the big game that was in the City of Mutare on Sunday, the next day.
Not even one person, as we drove around meeting fans and all, talked about the game.
In fact, as I mentioned the game, almost everyone didn’t know about it.
I was shocked and disappointed.
Even some legends didn’t even know about the game.
How does a whole City host a big Premier Soccer League match like that and the majority of the people or football fans don’t even know about it.
Do we blame the economy? Even if vanhu vakaomerwa sei, I think the games should be marketed enough.
Let the fans make the choice not to attend but shoko rasvika.
This confirmed to me what I have always said. I don’t think ZIFA, PSL and the clubs are doing enough to market football and bring back the hype.
I don’t think they are making enough effort to put structures that drive football and galvanise interest in the game.
Have we given up on football?
That Saturday evening, a friend of mine in Mutare, Gilbert, came with his wife to pick me up from the Golden Peacock Hotel where I was staying.
They took me to CASA Sports Bar (hanzi ndiro riri kurira maMutare). The bar was packed to the rafters with a Spanish La Liga match playing on the many TV screens that were in the bar.
The revellers were drinking and enjoying the match.
Two guys recognised me in the pub and there was a mini pandemonium after that, as the patrons gathered to greet me, with others asking for selfies.
The chorus among most of them to me was: “Ha anaBinjira tigadzirisireiwo bhora please,bhora rafa guys.” I responded by telling them that one day zvichanaka. They kept shaking their heads.
I then asked if they were all going to attend the Manica Diamonds vs Ngezi Platinum match the next day.
I was shocked that almost everyone in the pub didn’t know about the match.
They were actually hearing it from me. Shocking, disappointedly I asked everyone to make sure they came to Sakubva Stadium the next day and enjoy football.
I played my marketing part. But where are the people who should be doing this? Why are the football fans of Mutare not knowing about a big match in their City?
Sunday came and I asked some of the legends to meet at the stadium to watch the game.
The majority of the legends told me that they would be watching the Arsenal vs Chelsea match on the same day same time.
Rather my heart sank. Who else in Mutare prefers going the sports bars to watch the English Premier League match.
Yes, the country may be facing some economic challenges, but I am seeing football fans and people that should be involved in football opting to do something else or opting to spend their hard earned cash somewhere else away from the stadium and away from local football. I see them. We see them.
Inasmuch as we may want to play the political card about the economy, I still believe real football fans can afford US$2 to go and watch their favourite team every second week.
That is US$6 a month before transport for those staying a bit far.
But they are choosing to spend much more elsewhere.
A pint of beer costs US$2 in a sports bar. Others are preferring to go to outdoor braai places or picnics.
They are leaving our football stadiums empty.
What I saw in Mutare is probably happening in every other City and town in the country besides Bulawayo (when Highlanders are playing), Hwange and Shamva.
That brings us back to the question: what should we do to bring back football and galvanise it?
Note, I am asking what needs to be done.
We need a plan guys.
Next week, I will be back with what I believe can be done, including your contributions.
Gazza is OUT!!
*** Alois Bunjira is a CAPS United legend who started his career as a teenager with Darryn T before winning the 1996 league title with the all-conquering CAPS United side under the late coach Steve ”The Dude” Kwashi.
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