Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
CHIPINGE-BORN Highlanders legend, Eddie Dube, was transported back to the glory days of Zimbabwean football last Sunday, as the electric atmosphere at Sakubva Stadium rekindled memories of packed terraces and roaring crowds that once defined Premier Soccer League matches across the country.
Speaking to Post Sport, the former bustling striker admitted he was deeply moved by the vibrant turnout for the clash between Manica Diamonds and the Bulawayo giants.
What particularly charmed him was the gesture of goodwill by Defence Minister, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, who personally covered the entry fees for the first 1 000 fans.
Dube hailed the initiative as a shining example of community support for local football and urged other well-resourced individuals and corporates in Manicaland to follow suit.
He emphasised that such acts, not only ease the burden on supporters, but also help restore the passion and unity that once made Zimbabwean football a cultural heartbeat.
Reflecting on the occasion, Dube said: “What I witnessed today rekindled memories of the days when we used to play this game. It is exciting to see such a crowd coming together to support their home team. I really want to thank Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri for sparing her own personal financial resources to fund the entrance of the first 1 000 fans into the stadium. This is something I hope and pray other individuals and companies can emulate. Sunday was a typical family day out at Sakubva Stadium, and even the police did their job diligently. I was impressed.”
Official figures show that more than 3 500 tickets were sold, and with privilege card holders and the inevitable few who slipped in without paying, the stadium enjoyed one of its most vibrant crowds in years.
Indeed, Sakubva has not witnessed such numbers since last season’s clash between Manica Diamonds and the crowd-pulling Scottland FC.
Yet despite the carnival atmosphere, the Evans Kamombo-bankrolled Manica Diamonds were left ruing missed opportunities.
Dominating possession and carving out clear-cut chances, they failed to convert and ultimately squandered the chance to secure maximum points.
In a post-match interview, Manica Diamonds head coach, Patrick Mandizha, admitted that his boys lacked the cutting edge in front of goal.
The former Shabanie Mine FC player, said the point gained will help ease their way out of the murky waters of relegation.
“I think there is some level of technical proficiency that is needed in front of goal at this stage of the game and we badly lacked that. We could have easily buried our opponents, especially in the first half after creating a number of clear cut scoring opportunities, but we dismally failed.
“We have to continue working hard on the areas we are lacking, and hope that we will get it right in forthcoming matches. The single point that we got will help us in the fight to move away from the relegation zone, and are looking forward to doing much better,” said Mandizha.
Of all the misses witnessed last Sunday, Benedict Sithole shot off the target in the 16th minute while facing a yawning net with Highlanders goalkeeper, Aaron Ngwenya an already beaten man.
Dube said: “I think it is sad that our top-flight league is lacking top notch strikers who can score even half chances. Our coaches need to do more to groom such strikers from junior structures. We really need to identify talent in that area because what we witnessed on Sunday is just regrettable for the football fraternity.”
Highlanders coach, Benjamin Mwaruwari, admitted that last Sunday’s draw, the tenth of the season, is not the ideal result he yearned for.
“It is unfortunate that the match had to end this way, settling for a draw once again. Yes, there is some kind of pressure that comes with such results, but at the end of the day it is better that we picked a point away from home.
“But I should say I was not impressed with how we played. I should say I am not happy with our performance. Manica Diamonds dominated us especially in the first half, and we were just flat, not showing any signs of resistance. We have to go back and work on the areas that we let ourselves down,” said Mwaruwari.
In an era where match officiating appears to have gone to the dogs, Norton-based referee, Tichaona Mbiri’s performance was a beacon of hope for better referring in domestic football.
The Norton-based referee’s game management was spectacular as he stamped authority from the first whistle.
