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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
HOW MINE Football Club coach Luke Masomere says fans who have violent intentions should not come to Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday for the ZNA Charities Shield semi-final between his team and Highlanders.
Without naming any specific section of fans, Masomere said if there are those who feel their teams must not lose a match and if that happens they resort to violence, then there was no room for them at stadia.
“I really want to encourage football fans to respect the game of football, it’s such a beautiful game that does not deserve this nonsense,” said Masomere.
He praised the media for exposing all forms of violence at soccer matches.
Masomere challenged the police to deal decisively with anyone seen inciting or engaging in violent acts.
Turning to his team’s preparations ahead of the clash, Masomere said his focus would be more on how his charges respond to the preparations they have been having.
He was, however, quick to point out that he does not prepare to lose a match and was therefore looking forward to a win.
“I’m going to play to win . . . not to lose that you can bet on. But since this is our first match after a two-week break I’ll also be interested in seeing how the boys respond,” said Masomere.
He said a number of his senior players have been nursing knocks suffered during their pre-season friendlies but was happy that the rest seems to have done the trick.
Veterans Nyasha Mukambi, Devon Chafa, Mernad Mupera, Charles Sibanda, Wonder Sithole and young Donavan Bernard have all started light training and are available for selection to face Highlanders on Sunday.
Tawanda Muparati, Heritein Masuku and Limited Chikafa have not been training, according to Masomere.
Asked whether he had devised any special training methods focusing on Highlanders, Masomere said: “I can’t waste my energy preparing specifically for Highlanders, they are just one of the 15 teams we will face this year.”
The ZNA has five charities which include the Tsanga Lodge Convalescent Centre in Nyanga for the rehabilitation of injured members of the uniformed forces. There is also the ZNA Benevolence Fund for the welfare of troops on internal, external and international operations. It also runs a schools’ welfare trust for its five secondary and 12 primary schools. The other ZNA Charity is the Widows and Orphans which takes care of the widows and widowers of soldiers before they receive terminal benefits.
Besides the football matches, the army also has a golf tournament as part of its fundraising activities.
Online Reporter
Londile Moyo