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Robson Sharuko–Senior Sports Editor
THE last time they kicked a ball they were virtually penniless, their volatile camps were restless, their future looked hopeless and the pressure on their leadership was relentless.
R Kelly was still a free man, his fans singing they still believed he could fly over the allegations in which he was accused of sexually abusing women and children.
Even Zdravko Logarusic was still in charge of the Warriors, telling us, even after one win in 14 games, there was really no need to cry.
That was three months ago.
Patson Jaure was still battling to repair his car, which was damaged in an accident that fractured his skull, and almost took his life.
Somehow, it had to happen in the shadows of Prince Edward, as if he had decided to visit the place where Dynamos usually train, on the green fields, of this iconic public school.
Now, he drives around in a brand new Ford Ranger double cab, as if to reinforce the message that in football, just like in life, nothing stays the same forever.
Not since the Glamour Boys formation in 1963, as a rag-tag football unit meant to challenge the dominance of clubs largely built on a foundation of race, has their captain enjoyed such company benefits and befitting status.
Memory Mucherahowa, whose exemplary leadership and talent dragged them to their finest hour, when they reached the ‘98 Champions League final, never got even a Datsun 120Y to use.
What a fine player, and inspirational leader he was, his blood must have been of a distinct blue colour, while his indomitability kept making a mockery of his diminutive frame.
Today he wonders about a past, in which he gave his life’s best years to the DeMbare cause but, in a way, got very little in return for his excellent service.
Times have changed Gwenzi.
And, watching a Dynamos captain drive a car which belongs to the club, must be making him feel proud that all his efforts, to serve this grand institution, were not in vain.
The reality is that, by the time the Glamour Boys celebrate the 60th anniversary of their founding, in two years’ time, their captain and coach will be having the privilege, of driving a two-year-old facility vehicle, owned by the club.
Tonderai Ndiraya, their current coach, has been driving the brand new Ford Everest, in the last two weeks.
He isn’t the only one who is, at last, enjoying the privilege which should come, naturally, with being the coach of one of the country’s biggest two football clubs.
His Highlanders counterpart, Mandla ‘‘Lulu’’ Mpofu, also has a brand new Ford Everest double cab vehicle, while his captain, Ariel Sibanda, found a reason to commit himself to the club he loves, after his welfare was taken care of.
The veteran goalkeeper also now has a brand new Ford Ranger facility vehicle.
They all don’t need to worry about the service costs, as the vehicles will be serviced, on a regular basis, by the sponsors, while they will all the allocated full tanks, every week.
A few weeks ago, Sibanda’s future at Bosso looked uncertain.
He found himself battling to try and balance the complex issue of his unquestionable love, and loyalty, for the club, and the personal challenges he was facing, with his employers failing to pay him his dues.
A number of vultures were already circling, ready to pounce, with reports even suggesting he had agreed a deal with Ngezi Platinum. However, the arrival of Sakunda Holdings, as the principal sponsors of the two giants, in a US$5.3 million deal spread over three years, changed everything.
And, the country’s two biggest, and most successful football clubs, return to competitive action today, after a three-month break, walking with a spring in their step.
“We are really excited, the sponsorship has really sent some important message out there to our rivals,’’ said Ndiraya.
“Financially, we have been struggling. We were behind other teams but this financial injection has taken us to same level with our competitors.
‘‘I believe this is going to give us energy to fight for honours. It has given us our big boys tag back. We have shown signs of being at the top again and the huge sponsorship is a confidence booster.”
The quest for honours, for the two giants, in what has been a frustrating start/stop campaign, ravaged by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, gets underway again, this afternoon.
Dynamos host Yadah Stars at the National Sports Stadium, this afternoon, in a showdown which features the leading clubs in Group One. Highlanders, who have the same number of points (seven) as their group leaders Chicken Inn, are not in action until tomorrow, when they host Bulawayo Chiefs, at Barbourfields.
While the sponsorship from Sakunda Holdings has brought both comfort, and excitement, at the two giants, it also comes with pressure, for both Ndiraya, and Mpofu, who know they simply have to deliver.
In the recent past, the coaches at Bosso and DeMbare could justify their failure by pointing to the in-house challenges, which were rocking their camps, with the players’ focus being deflected by all this chaos.
That alibi has now disappeared, swept away by the financial injection from a Good Samaritan, who wants to see the two giants punching, unlike Anthony Joshua, according to their weight.
For the DeMbare and Bosso fans, what matters is seeing their clubs win silverware, something they have both struggled to do, in recent years, in which cash-rich newboys ensured the playing field was not level anymore. The challenge is now in the courts of these two giants, who return to action, without the stress caused by being penniless.
And, in a way, being hopeless.
Online Reporter
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