adminMakomborero Mutimukulu Sports Editor
MANY a time we have left the scene of the famous Battle of Zimbabwe feeling cheated, strongly believing that the biggest soccer game in the land has failed to live up to its billing. We have bemoaned that the quality on show when Dynamos and Highlanders square up is deteriorating with each passing game. We have cursed nature for taking its toll on Peter Ndlovu and Moses Chunga, we have cursed death for settling on Benjamin Nkonjera and Gift “Ghetho” Mpariwa. We have cursed ourselves for hoping for a feast of football and then having to make do with the crumbs of mediocrity.
If only the players of today could emulate their great predecessors, we wish; or alternatively pray that the legends of yore could play on until the Second Coming.
Zimbabwean soccer fans suffer from perennial bouts of nostalgia.
It is a sickness that has stopped us from appreciating the beauty that is inherent in Bosso versus DeMbare battles. We are so obsessed with the past, we forget to celebrate the here and now.
When Prince Dube, a rookie, scores at Rufaro to send Highlanders on their way to a famous victory, we say Zenzo Moyo once did the same, did it better, even.
And when Dynamos players vow to go to Barbourfields and revenge that 0-2 defeat suffered at Rufaro earlier this year they are dismissed as all talk lads who cannot walk the walk.
Our obsession with the past has stopped us from appreciating that Highlanders versus Dynamos is always huge, always a celebration of Zimbabwean football.
A man who cannot suffer from Battle of Zimbabwe nostalgia, Bosso coach Erol Akbay, last week reminded us that this is a massive game.
The Dutch mentor was impressed with how his boys put in the hard yards as they prepared for the visit of their eternal rival.
“Even some of the injured guys say they are ready to play. They are willing to risk it all,” said Akbay.
When players show such hunger, when the injured want to put their bodies on the line and play through the pain, when the game begins to trend on social media four days before kick-off, can we really say the Battle of Zimbabwe has lost its glitter? Are we not looking for beauty in all the wrong places?
“Even at under-12 level, a clash between Dynamos and Highlanders is still big. It’s all about the rich history the two clubs bring to the table.
“At DeMbare every game we play is a massive one because as you know everyone wants to beat us but the game against Highlanders is something else,” said Dynamos assistant coach Murape Murape.
The famous clash between black and blue goes down at BF this afternoon and all we have to do is savour the moment. May the heroes of this clash be celebrated.
This afternoon, if Ariel Sibanda makes a good save, defying gravity to parry the ball for a corner, let’s applaud that moment without saying, “Yeah, it’s a good save, but Peter Nkomo used to gather those ones first time.”
When Tatenda Mukuruva shows nerves of steel in a one-on-one situation with a Bosso forward let us toast that fine moment without bringing up talk of how Gift Muzadzi used to seal such fine moments by throwing the ball against the crossbar.
May this Battle of Zimbabwe be celebrated for what it is, the biggest football match our nation has to offer. This is it for us and we cannot have it any other way!
Online Reporter