Hwange supporters to educate fans on violence

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
THE Hwange FC supporters body wants to bring together all the other teams’ supporters associations to educate fans on violence. The Hwange fans, among some of the most disciplined group of supporters in the country, met over the weekend in the coal mining town under the chairmanship of Maybin Dizomba where they also resolved to mobilise funds which they will use to host their Highlanders counterparts.

“We felt we should also play our part as supporters to denounce violence. Violence has no place in our beautiful game. We’re also planning to travel to Bulawayo to meet Highlanders supporters at their clubhouse,” said Dizomba who was ushered into office last month.

He said they believe there is a need to try and find out the main cause of violence and hooliganism.

“As Hwange Football Club supporters, we really have never fought with Highlanders supporters and our matches are usually held in a jovial atmosphere where we even sit side by side on the terraces. We want that atmosphere to be extended to other matches involving different teams and I know its possible,” said Dizomba.

During the Bob91 elimination match between Highlanders and Caps United at Barbourfields Stadium last week, both sets of fans threw missiles onto the pitch while yesterday’s final between Caps United and Dynamos at Rufaro Stadium also witnessed some missile throwing from the Vietnam stand that normally houses Dynamos fans.

The Premier Soccer League last week challenged the police to arrest perpetrators of violence as it tarnishes the image of the game and scares away the few corporate bodies that are in the game.

PSL chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele also warned violent supporters saying the PSL and Zifa have the authority to impose stiffer penalties other than fines.

“Other options include deduction of points in terms of the Fifa disciplinary code. If the issue of fines doesn’t work, the league and the football association have the authority to suspend a club from competitions, order them to play in an empty stadium or even bar them from using their stadium,” said Ndebele.

Police are yet to arrest a catapult wielding fan whose picture taken at Barbourfields Stadium last week has gone viral on social networks.