On The Ball: Don’t spoil the Makepekepe brand

15 Jun, 2014 - 00:06 0 Views

The Sunday Mail

On the Ball
It baffles the mind at times where some of our players’ priorities lie.

I’m referring specifically to last week’s case where Caps United’s defender, Hardlife “Nairobi” Zvirekwi, decided to withdraw his services on the eve of his side’s away match against Chapungu. Zvirekwi’s reason was that the players’ May salaries had not yet been paid. Okay, fair enough, we all know that everybody has got family to feed and one needs to get paid.

But, hey, who doesn’t know that the whole country is going through difficult financial times and even the big companies are failing to pay their workers on time? For Zvirekwi to put his coach, Taurai Mangwiro, into such a “fix” is tantamount to some form of sabotage because he is one of the key players at the club and Mangwiro’s strategy for the game went up in smoke without “Nairobi” in his side and Chapungu took them to the cleaners, winning 3-0.

If I were Zvirekwi, I would have proceeded to play the match against “Waru Waru” and continue talking to the powers-that-be for a solution rather than boycott that crucial encounter. That’s what is called commitment.

Inga “chibhanzi” chacho chakazouya wani? And, yes, you guessed right . . . Zvirekwi collected his dues!
Caps United’s director, Twine Phiri, has gone under various trials and tribulations before, during and after the club’s acquisition back in 1999.

I know, because I was one of the guys he confided in back then about his life-long dream to own the club when he was a staunch “Makepekepe” supporter, from the time the club got promoted into the top-flight in 1976 and he was also a very close friend of the late club’s legend, Shacky “Mr Goals” Tauro.

Phiri used to drive or even hitch hike out of town to watch most of the club’s away matches.
He soldiered on to overcome the various hurdles in his way to eventually acquire the club that he cherishes most lovingly. And shame as well on the group of those hooligan supporters who went to the home of Caps United’s administrator, Mike Dodzo, and threatened to harm him for “delaying the payment of players’ salaries! My foot! Instead of “walking tall, with tsvimbos, garments and all”, those fans – no, they are not fans – pure hooligans, should be finding ways and means of helping “The Green Machine” survive and pay their players.

I also need to add here the unwavering and immense contribution to the club’s growth by co-director Farai Jere, who also fell in love with the club when he was still at primary school and later poured millions into the project.

My whole point is that the sacrifices made by Phiri and Jere in embossing the “Makepekepe” brand are too priceless to be spoilt by any players’ or rogue elements masquerading as loyal fans’ needless actions.

Like my good, ol’ pal, Albert Nyathi, once gesticulated and bellowed: “I shall not speak”!
* * * *

It’s finally here!
Yes, the world’s greatest soccer show is now upon us. And we witnessed “The Samba Boys” scraping to a 3-1 win against a more impressive Croatian side on opening night, three days ago, in San Paulo.

But if the truth be told, Japanese referee Yichi Nishimura lent a helping hand to the Brazilians with a dubious penalty decision that made it 2-1.

In fact, Nishimura was so pathetic when he farther disallowed a legitimate goal by Croatia after Brazil’s keeper, Julio Cesar had fumbled an earlier cross by Luka Modric.

At least the Dutch didn’t need anybody’s help in massacring defending champions Spain 5-1!
Let’s wait and see whether “The Selecao” can move two or three gears up in their next match against Mexico.
But, phew! What a disastrous opening for the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon after they lost narrowly 1-0 to Mexico.

Although the Samuel Eto’o-led side tried to get back into the game especially towards the end, the die had already been cast.
It will take a miracle for them to get anything in their two remaining matches against Croatia and Brazil.

We all hope it’s not a bad omen for the remaining four African sides at the jamboree. Hey, remember, former Super Eagles skipper, Nwanko Kanu has predicted that the World Cup will at last be coming to Africa!
* * * *

The following e-mail was sent to me, full of these questions by Arnold “Podolski” Mapfumo of Mutare (“originally a Pfupajena boy”) a day after the Warriors bowed out of Afcon 2015.

Before I respond, can anyone out there answer his queries with a simple “Yes” or “No”?:

1. Can our Warriors of today compare with the Class of the 80s, e.g., Shambo, “Sinyo”, Machingura, “MaWii”, etc?

2. Can our current Premier League compare in terms of competitiveness and class to our then Super League, from 1970 to 1992?

3. Can our current Division One match the Division One quality of the 80s/90s, which at one time had teams like Darryn Textiles, Bulawayo Red Seal Rovers, Smirnoff Tigers, Rufaro Rovers, Chakari United (not Falcon), Fire Batteries and of course, Lulu Rovers?

4. Can our current Warriors produce that kind of performance which stunned the Harambee Stars of Kenya back in 1985 when Zimbabwe triumphed 2-0 in the Cecafa final at Rufaro?

5. Can any of our national ’keepers in the last decade be compared with the “Big Two” – Bruce Grobbelaar and Japhet M’parutsa?

6. Do the youngsters of today know that the yesteryear stars played solely for the love of the game and have nothing to show for it today not because they were careless with their rewards but there was nothing to save?

Remember to take care of your loved ones and each other. It’s bye bye for now.

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