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With the levels of adrenalin high, there will be lots of unsporting conduct exhibited on the field and off the field by players, coaches, administrators and fans. It’s only a game and people should practise high levels of tolerance to each other in the world’s most exciting game.
With Dynamos and Highlanders engaged in the fight for the top prize, both camps are eager to see the championship land on their trophy cabinets. The two’s matches will in no doubt be the most scrutinised by the media, opposition fans and authorities. They are the top teams in the country and have a healthy rivalry that dates back to the 1976 championship which Dynamos won courtesy of a walkover over Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium.
It is said the Bulawayo giants communicated with the then league administration that Barbourfields Stadium was unplayable. To their utter disgust DeMbare travelled to Bulawayo and were awarded maximum points to pip Highlanders by a point to that year’s championship in which Bosso had gone to the final match needing just a draw to win the first national league in years.
Highlanders had dominated the Southern Region from 1973 and won the national play-off in 1974.
Since then it has become a norm for Bosso supporters to build up conspiracy theories when things seem to go Dynamos’ way.
We implore on the Premier Soccer League to ensure both teams play at the same time on the same day. This will eliminate accusations of bias towards the other. There are teams that traditionally play on Saturdays, for instance FC Platinum at home, the PSL will have to ensure that there is consensus that Bosso and DeMbare play on the same day.
Suspensions involving players from the league but specifically Dynamos and Highlanders should be made public and in good time so that there is no room for defiance like what the Bulawayo team did in 1999, fielding a suspended Zenzo Moyo and Dazzy Kapenya, when they already had three yellow cards. The problem then was the timing of the announcement which came barely 48 hours before the crunch tie between the two teams which was a title decider.
The Dynamos-Hwange dispute, which will now be decided through arbitration following the latter’s appeal against setting aside an earlier ruling ordering a replay between the two teams, should also be dealt with speedily. This will enable Dynamos, Highlanders and Hwange to know their fate on time as they gun for the championship in the case of the first two while the latter battles to avoid relegation.
The referees too will not escape public scrutiny. With each passing match they will be followed to their homes, workplaces and social circles just for club supporters to see if there has been any corrupt activities. They are humans but have to be careful as to which circles they get to and who they speak to and what they say.
At times an inconsequential waffle could be turned against the referees or administrators to the convenient argument of any of the two teams in the race.
Focus is not on the title battling giants only, the race to survive relegation in which Harare City, Caps United, Hwange, Black Mambas, Gunners, Hardbody, Blue Rangers and Quelaton are threatened, is also reaching fever pitch. Frankly speaking only two clubs appear to be safe from relegation — Dynamos and Highlanders. The eighth placed club from the bottom, Harare City, can end the season on 50 points where Highlanders are with eight matches to go if they win all their matches.
So almost about 11 clubs look in real danger. Against this scenario, referees and those who appoint them will face a lot of attention from the teams and fans.
Referees are guided by the 17 rules of the game and the 18th which is common sense. What the fans, coaches and players need to appreciate is the fact that to err is human. However, it is the consistence of erring that at times raises eyebrows on whether it’s downright corruption or sheer incompetence.
Our call to all those in the game is let Fair Play prevail and the better team on the day win without the influence of referees and other corrupt faces in the world of football.
Stakes in the game have over the years risen with every club dreaming of taking part in the Confederation of African Football and Champions League. Also a chance for the players to be marketed and sold at competitive figures invites corruption.
The media too has a role to play in ensuring there is Fair Play by reporting as objectively as the profession dictates.
Hopes are high that when they meet to choose the season’s most outstanding players, journalists will not be in agents or certain clubs’ pockets but will do the good sport of football great justice.
Fair Play is what we are calling for from everyone involved with the game.
The culture of throwing missiles when decisions do not go according to one’s expectations belongs to the jungle.
Online Reporter