adminCurtworth Masango
THE Chevrons have been solid in recent games and their 2-1 win over Bangladesh in both the T20 and ODI series at Harare Sports Club bear testimony to their resurgence under Dave Houghton.
Their revival will be tested when they play India in three ODIs in Harare starting on Thursday.
India are already in Harare and captain KL Rahul’s men are plotting to dent Zimbabwe’s renaissance, which has lured fans back to the stadium.
So, not only will India face a side high in confidence, but they will also have to silence the noisy Castle Corner.
The Castle Corner is the stand that harbours the noisiest set of Chevron supporters.
For football lovers, Castle Corner is like Vietnam, for Dynamos fans at Rufaro, and Soweto, for Highlanders fans, at Barbourfields.
A variety of videos of fans cheering the Chevrons have gone viral.
But, many have been wondering who the man who leads the Castle Corner, in song and dance?
His name is Tapfumaneyi Banhire, AKA Madzibaba Bans, chairperson of the Zimbabwe Cricket Supporters Association. Banhire, a father of three, who grew up in rural Bindura, told H-Metro he is a servant of the game and is passionate about it.
His love for the game started when he was a boy, despite living in the rural areas. “I was exposed to the game by my elder brother, back in the late 1990s.
“He was knowledgeable about the game and each time I would visit him in Harare during the holidays, I would watch cricket on TV.
“It was during the 1999 World Cup that I started to grow real love for the game.
“I was doing my primary school then and started teaching the game to other young boys in Bindura.
“I was among the group of learners that pioneered the sport at Marirangwe Secondary School in Bindura. “After completing my secondary education, I relocated to Harare,” he said.
Banhire said after meeting a number of fans at Harare Sports Club, they decided to form a recognised supporters’ union.
“I have attended almost every game played at the Harare Sports Club since 2006. I remember meeting a group of guys in 2008 and we started attending all matches at Harare Sports Club together. “We decided to form an association and successfully launched it in 2012,” he said.
Banhire dismissed the belief cricket was only for the elite.
“Cricket is a sport, just like any other sport. Everyone can go to ground and feel accommodated.
“It’s not for the elite only.
“There should be no stereotypes in the game; it is inclusive.
“Everyone should come and rally behind our team. You look at England, they have the Barmy Army, which travels around the world supporting its team.
“The Bharat Army from India do the same. So, as Zimbabwe Cricket Supporters Union, we feel we are doing the correct thing.
“People should freely go to our matches with their families and cheer for the team.”
Banhire was given a chance to hoist the ODI trophy by the Chevrons.
He said it shows they are doing something special, which inspires the fans. “It means the players, directors and executives of Zimbabwe Cricket recognise our small effort to motivate the team, and we are humbled by it.
“I would like to see more people coming to support the team.
“That will help them to perform well,” he said.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter