adminBongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
THE World Cup fever has gripped the whole nation and Bulawayo is no exception.
Local drinking holes have jumped onto the bandwagon and have come up with a glut of activities to lure revellers to watch the soccer extravaganza at their joints.
The tournament, being held in Brazil, began on Thursday and the mood in the city has hit fever pitch with the month long tournament gripping the hearts of many.
Four years ago when the World Cup was held in Africa for the first time in neighbouring South Africa, fan parks sprouted left, right and centre. Places like Watering Hole in central Bulawayo still spots murals that depict that the soccer showcase was in Africa and they wanted to benefit from the hype.
Fast forward four years and what happened then seems to have returned this year as many drinking spots have introduced activities like raffles, score prediction and ball juggling competitions. Big screens have been put up in many places of social gathering and drinking to accommodate the large numbers expected.
The pick of the big screens is Fazak Hyper market situated in Woodlands suburb which has a 500 inch screen for football enthusiasts, who will watch the matches with HD glasses, a first in the city and arguably in Zimbabwe.
Various nightspot managers who spoke to Chronicle Showbiz said they were anticipating brisk business during the month long tournament in Brazil.
Cape to Cairo manager Bheki Ndebele said the nightspot had predict-the-score-line prizes and ball juggling completions at half time of every match.
“As part of promoting the World Cup, we are selling raffle tickets where DStv decoders with full one month subscription are up for grabs. The draw for the raffle will be done every Sunday until the end of the World Cup,” he said.
Ndebele said they had installed two big screens and their sound system will be providing the stadium-like-feel during all the matches at the bar. Not to be out done, Hustlers Night club is also bracing itself for the World Cup with a World Cup Special starting tonight until the end of the soccer tournament.
DJ Phat Joe said the World Cup Special nights have predict-the-score-line competitions with winners walking away with a six pack of their favourite beer.
Judging by the fact that most matches will kick off after 10PM, Zimbabwean time, most nightspots are looking forward to high volumes of football enthusiasts to watch the games.
Whatever Sports Bar in New Lobengula also looks set to have their own say as they have stocked up beer for the tournament.
Horizon Pub and Grill on Thursday held a World Cup Cocktail Party where revellers watched the opening game pitting hosts Brazil against Croatia.
Online Reporter