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Pamela Shumba Chronicle Reporter
HIGHLANDERS Football Club, still on cloud nine after lifting the prestigious Mbada Diamonds Cup on Saturday, yesterday took their celebrations to a higher authority – God the Almighty.
The team dedicated their victory to Jesus in front of a capacity crowd at Faith in God (FIG) Ministries International (Eagle Life Assembly) in Bulawayo.
The leader of the Assembly, Prophet Blessing Chiza, last month prophesied that the team would win the Mbada Diamonds Cup final.
The prophecy was fulfilled on Saturday when Highlanders beat How Mine 3-0 at a packed Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo.
The entire Highlanders team, including the coach Kelvin Kaindu and his assistants Bekithemba Ndlovu and Tembo Chuma, took the Cup to the church to appreciate the grace of God.
They attended the church service where Prophet Chiza prophesied more success for Highlanders and the national team as well as individual players.
The flamboyant prophet, who was ecstatic about the emphatic win by Highlanders, commended the team for believing in God and not using juju during their match.
“God allowed this to happen because Highlanders decided to be obedient. It is not easy to give such a prophecy. You cannot touch such an area when you have not heard from God but I was certain that Highlanders would win because this is not just about soccer,” said Prophet Chiza.
“Soccer is now a spiritual battle and the devil has interest in it just as much as God does. Some teams are being used by the devil to use juju yet they still fail to achieve good results. What people do not know is that juju has ripple effects on players because it is demonic.”
Prophet Chiza said juju could cause strange demonic attacks on players, misfortunes or even death in the long run.
“I want people to understand that God wants to get rid of demons in our soccer fields. Young and innocent men are being given dangerous muti. They are being initiated into serious demonic covenants with the devil just for winning games.
“Whether they like it or not, the players give in because they are at work. These demonic practices have a tendency of affecting them when it is time for them to enjoy their money. They start experiencing misfortunes and strange demonic attacks that eventually destroy them,” said the Prophet.
He added: “God is above juju. If other teams want to win their matches and prosper, they should trust God and do what He wants.
“What happened at Barbourfields Stadium is a sign that God is teaching Zimbabwean teams a lesson and he loves soccer. Let us trust Him.”
Prophet Chiza, who strongly discouraged tribalism within the team, prophesied that Saturday’s victory was just the beginning as Highlanders would lift more cups in the coming seven years.
“I was reliably informed that Highlanders has not won a major cup for the past seven years. It was a curse and I confidentially explained to the team how the team was cursed.
“However, the team’s seven years of barrenness is over. The witchcraft curse has been broken. Bosso is now a fruitful team that will lift many trophies in the coming seven years, starting in 2014. Most of the team players will also fly to join different teams in foreign countries,” said the prophet.
He added: “This also applies to the national team. If it does not use juju it will qualify for the World Cup. Although it will not go far, it will beat big teams such as England, Germany and Italy.
“Zimbabwe will also appear several times in the Africa Cup of Nations and reach the semi-finals.”
Speaking on behalf of the team, Kaindu thanked Prophet Chiza for instilling a spirit of faith in the team.
“We want to appreciate Prophet Chiza and thank God for what we have achieved. It has not been an easy road. I know that what we have done today might attract criticism but I am certain that the criticism will only strengthen us. God says if we praise him in public he will also exalt us in public.
“We have experienced so many challenges that sometimes I cry when I am alone and ask myself why God chose Highlanders for me. We have, however received tremendous support not only from Prophet Chiza but other pastors as well. We really appreciate the encouragement and look forward to the achievements to come,” he said.
Prophet Chiza, who continuously quoted the Bible to link soccer with Christianity, blessed Kaindu, his two assistants and one of the players, Munyaradzi Diya, with his “anointed” designer suits.
Diya was crowned Player of the Tournament in the Mbada Cup and is in contention for the Player of the Year accolade in the Castle Lager Premiership awards set for Harare on 14 December.
The seemingly born-again team players took to the stage and performed two spiritual songs as the crowd joined in with excitement.
Prophet Chiza encouraged the team to continue dedicating their success to Jesus.
The ever elegantly dressed prophet also invited the young players to approach him for dressing tips.
Online Reporter