‘Let there be peace’

The Sunday News

By Ngqwele Dube

21 July 2012

TENSION and high expectations always characterise the matches pitting the country’s traditional powerhouses Highlanders and Dynamos and when the two protagonists clash today in a high profile Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields Stadium the same scenario will obtain.

Temperatures will rise as the rivalry goes deep come 3pm this afternoon. The city hosting the match always experiences the carnival atmosphere as supporters from both teams wake up in the morning, put on their team regalia and head to the stadium in a colourful procession of cars.

Houses, vehicles, trees and bus stops are decorated with various paraphernalia in club colours and symbols such as scarfs, flags, t-shirts, blankets and headgear.

Supporters of the two teams demand more from their teams during the match and sometimes the game ends in violence as one set of fans cry foul.

However, amidst the high expectations, the Dynamos Supporters Association (Bulawayo chapter) have joined the chorus of those calling for a violent-free outing saying that the fans should come out in their numbers today and make the occasion a memorable violent-free family outing.

“We are basically saying no to violence. It has no place in the game. We want to be able to enjoy the game and relish the sportsmanship on the field. We are urging all supporters to strive for a peaceful game because this will make it enjoyable for everyone who will bother to come for the game,” said Committee vice-chairperson Panas Madziya, pleading with their large following, that are expected to turn the Mpilo end stands at BF into the customary sea of blue and white, for a peaceful game that will ensure the safety of children, women and neutrals expected at today’s match venue.

Madziya said supporters should understand that violence did not pay, as it will not alter the result of the game.

Chairman, Dumisani Mutorera said while fans might be angered by referees’ decisions; it was no excuse for them to engage in violence.

“We should always let the game end and if we are unhappy at the referees’ conduct lets inform the executive to complain on our behalf in conformity with the rules that govern the beautiful game. Match officials are human and I am sure we will all agree that the atmosphere during the game involving the two teams is intimidating but it should end there,” he said.

“There is nothing so sweet and satisfying than losing gracefully. Remember nobody wins all the time. You win some you lose some, good losers earn more respect than bad winners,” added Mutorera.

To ensure safety Madziya said his committee would deploy their own security for the game.

“We are going to have our own security within our supporters and they will be encouraging fans to behave well,” he said.

“We also want to discourage vulgar songs and languages at the game”.

Disturbances at the game between Highlanders and Harare City at Barbourfields have seen renewed efforts being made to call for a peaceful end to football games.

Highlanders chairman, Peter Dube also spoke out against violence during the week, telling our sister paper, the Chronicle that fans must exercise calm and restraint during this weekend’s game. He said hooliganism could only add to the club’s financial woes.

“We keep on getting closer to the title. Let us not lose it for ourselves off the pitch through hooliganism. The soccer laws are clear about untoward behaviour off the field by fans.

“May our true Highlanders sons and daughters desist from throwing missiles when calls don’t go our way. We go all out to bring joy to the nation. When Highlanders do well it makes people happy throughout the country and even beyond borders, so let us play to win, win with grace and be good losers on the field too,” he was quoted as saying.

“Hooliganism could only add to the woes of the cash-strapped club as they would remain poorer when fined for such offences”.

“I trust people will come in big numbers and once again make soccer the winner and the family event that it has always been by behaving themselves. We would like to see an atmosphere welcoming even for children and women”.

Mutorera said supporters from Harare would be coming to watch the game with three buses scheduled to travel from the capital.

“We will be meeting as Dynamos supporters from Sunday morning before the game at Cape Cairo where we will kick off the road show to Barbourfields.

“We urge all our members and Dynamos supporters to come there as we are also going to have an after party also after the game. Dynamos players will be there as well,” he said.

Despite controversies that have dogged Mutorera’s executive, he said they were last week endorsed by National Supporters Executive, who are expected to meet them this (Sunday) morning at Cape to Cairo.

There has recently been a crusade calling for an end to hooliganism at soccer games.

Highlanders’ players, Knox Mutizwa and Arnold Ndiweni, went round the stadium, with a banner denouncing violence during the CAPS United/Highlanders game.

Education, Sports and Culture minister, David Coltart last week said they would soon be introducing a “No tolerance against derogatory chants” policy that seeks to reign in on clubs whose fans perpetrate hateful and discriminatory language aimed at their rivals.