adminSikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
FOR Highlanders, their 1986 Independence Cup triumph was not just a victory on the field of play, it also afforded them an opportunity to meet the country’s then Prime Minister, Robert Mugabe. Amahlolanyama, coached by Barry Daka, trooped into Rufaro Stadium right at the height of the Matabeleland/Midlands post- independence disturbances unsure of what to meet.
They had, 24 hours earlier booted out local rivals Zimbabwe Saints 3-2 after extra time in a tense semi-final match played under floodlights at Barbourfields Stadium. Bosso scored their goals through captain Willard Khumalo, Tobias Mudyambanje and Netsai Moyo while Chauya Chikwata got their goals through Joseph Machingura and Henry Mckop.
“The situation at the time was very tense. At the then Bulawayo derby as expected, the tribal card was always used but in a peaceful friendly manner. Although people were affected in negative ways by the situation that was then surrounding them, the usual sporting vibe still prevailed,” said former Zimbabwe Saints and national team skipper Ephraim Chawanda.
After that Thursday night win, Highlanders took the next morning flight headed for the capital where Caps United were waiting following their 2-1 win over Arcadia United with their goals coming from Anthony Kambani and Shackman Tauro. Arcadia’s goal came from Alban Masikani.
“When we left for Harare, we never really felt any fear even though the country was not at peace then but to us, this was football which was meant to unite everyone,” said Dumisani Savimbi Nyoni who scored Highlanders’ equaliser in the final, they won 2-1.
Nyoni said when they trooped out of their dugout at Rufaro Stadium, the whole stadium erupted with supporters of both teams, clad in club regalia, bursting into songs in praise of their teams.
“When the match started, some of us who were constantly close to the supporters as defenders, were subjected to verbal abuse as we were called all sorts of names in relation to what was happening in the country then but this only came from a few supporters,” said Nyoni.
He said the rest of the field was enjoying the game, temporarily forgetting whatever problems were out there.
Nyoni said when Makepekepe took the lead through Oscar Motsi, the noise was just too much to bear but they fought on as they had a point to prove.
Seventy minutes into the game, substitute Netsai Moyo provided a pass to an advancing Nyoni who nodded home the equaliser beating Brenna Msiska in goal for Caps United, a goal that forced the match into extra time and pushed Bosso closer to the Prime Minister’s hand.
Mudyambanje, according to a Chronicle match report, “flashed in a header four minutes before the end of extra time. It was late but it was a winner and it clinched for Highlanders the sparkling Independence Cup in a see-saw final before a jam packed crowd at Rufaro Stadium.”
Seconds before fulltime, now late Mercedes Rambo Sibanda had his goal disallowed but that did not stop Tshilamoya from walking onto the podium to lift their first Independence Cup and in the process shake hands with Prime Minister Mugabe. Captain Willard Khumalo laid the first hands to Bosso’s first of the seven Independence Cups.
Bosso had in 1983, lost the inaugural final 1-2 to arch-rivals Dynamos. Legend Douglas Mloyi scored Bosso’s first Independence Cup final goal in that loss.
“Of course we went on to win Africa Day trophies as well as the Heroes’ Day Cups but the 1986 Independence Cup win provided some of us our first opportunity to interact with the then Prime Minister and now President Mugabe,” said Nyoni, a no nonsense left back that saw him being christened Savimbi by the Bosso fans.
Nyoni said after the win, they went to Hatfied suburb in Harare, residence to Thomas Ngwenya now a Bosso board member who treated them to some braai before they flew back to Bulawayo.
Highlanders went on to win the Independence Cup in 1988, 1991, 1998, 2001, 2003 and 2011.
Online Reporter