admin
Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
SOCCER fans in Zimbabwe’s oldest town Masvingo have hailed Mbada Diamonds for taking football to areas that do not have Premier Soccer League (PSL) teams. Masvingo’s Mucheke Stadium plays host to a Mbada Diamonds Cup quarter-final match between Highlanders and Buffaloes on Sunday.
Scores of fans praised the diamonds company and challenged other sponsors to follow suit.
Ndumiso Mgutshini, a Highlanders supporter said Mbada Diamonds should be praised for considering that there are fans who also want to watch their favourite teams in action.
“We are happy for Mbada Diamonds because they have afforded us a chance to watch our favourite teams playing. At least we will enjoy this week because some of us have emotional attachment to soccer,” he said.
Mgutshini said spreading the matches to all areas should be emulated by other sponsors as it provides fans with the opportunity to also enjoy like their counterparts in bigger towns where there are Premier League clubs.
“Since Masvingo United was relegated two seasons ago, fans are missing PSL football. Other sponsors should also take a cue from Mbada Diamonds and start to spread cup matches throughout the country where there are approved facilities,” he said.
However, Mgutshini rapped the PSL clubs for calling for the hiking of gate charges from $1.
“Teams that are calling for the increase in gate charges from $1 are not serious. Mbada Diamonds foots all the expenses and for them to demand an increase on gate charges is being naive,” he said.
Thinkwell Ngwenya, a lecturer with a local university, said it was refreshing to watch PSL teams once again.
“We are happy to have the game played here. It is refreshing to watch better soccer with improved standards than the Division One games.
Matches involving PSL teams will present us with better football and we are elated to have the game played at Mucheke Stadium,” he said.
Etias Machekecha echoed the same sentiments and said he was happy to watch two teams that play in the country’s topflight league play in Masvingo.
“I am very excited by this development. Sometimes I travel to Barbourfields when Highlanders play Caps United or Dynamos. This is a great favour to us, the supporters. I love soccer and even my family knows that,” said the visually impaired Bosso fanatic.
Highlanders supporters association Masvingo Chapter chairmaan Philani Moyo said he could not wait for Sunday to see his team prevailing over stubborn Buffaloes.
“I know Buffaloes will always want to raise their game when playing us but I think Kelvin Kaindu has studied the Eastern Highlands team. We look forward to a good display and as long as the referees handle the match well, we will prevail over the soldiers,” he said.
The Mbada Diamonds Cup game is coming just seven days after the two teams clashed in a Castle Lager Premiership match at Sakubva Stadium that ended in a 1-1 stalemate with Bosso scoring just two minutes from time to salvage a point.
Online Reporter