The Sunday Mail
AS the majority of soccer fans debate on the two-horse contest now abundantly clear in the Castle Lager Premiership finish zone between Dynamos and ZPC Kariba, a sombre mood has engulfed the Shabanie Mine fraternity following last Wednesday’s harrowing 1-3 defeat at the hands of How Mine at Maglas.
That loss plunged the “Chinda Boys” deeper into the relegation zone where they now lie in 12th position with 32 points, just one above fellow strugglers, Triangle and Black Rhinos.
Moments after Chiredzi referee, Arnold Ncube, blew his final whistle, the whole of Maglas Stadium suddenly found themselves facing the stark possibility of going back to play in the unfashionable world of Division One football.
What is really hurting the Shabanie Mine fans more though, is the fact their fiercest derby rivals — or “mafikizolo” (newcomers) as they sometimes refer to FC Platinum — are basking in an upward and glorious trend towards a top four finish.
According to reports coming from the asbestos-mining town, it felt like their hearts had been ripped out by a sharp dagger plunged by one of their own — How Mine’s head coach Luke “Vahombe” Masomere, who had masterminded that devastating defeat.
Masomere was born and bred in Zvishavane and starred for the “Chinda Boys” midfield in the 80s before he left to join Hwange where, after three successful seasons, that included a call-up to the Warriors squad, suffered a horrendous knee injury that ended his career.
Since that fateful Wednesday, conspiracy theories have been flying around the Midlands province and on social networks, where it’s being claimed that there is a Mafia clan that wants to see the “Chinda Boys” demolished into obscurity!
An emergency board meeting was reportedly convened on Thursday by the team’s executive committee to investigate this allegation which has since ballooned into accusations that some of the team’s players have turned into mercenaries and have, for some time now, been paid to throw away matches!
The sudden disappearance of team skipper, Zvenyika Makonese, a few days before the How Mine clash has added weight to this conspiracy theory although the veteran defender is claiming that he told the club’s officials that he was going to be away, visiting a sick relative.
Whether this conspiracy theory is true or not, the team’s fans need to accept the fact that the current Shabanie Mine squad is a far cry — in terms of skill and capability — from the devastating side that took the nation’s football fraternity by storm after they got promoted into the top flight at the turn of the century.
Who will ever forget the irresistible flair of the squad that included skilful exponents like ‘keeper Andrew Chisunga and infield artists such as Steven Matsaira, Arnold Jani, Max “Tula” Ruza, John “Senior” Phiri, Misheck Banda and of course, the “terrible twins” — Asani “War Vet” Juma and the late Thomas “Chaurura” Makwasha?
Here was a side that could humiliate any Premiership outfit — Dynamos, CAPS United and Highlanders included — without blinking an eyelid! They proved it when they beat the highly fancied and pre-tournament favourites Glamour Boys in the 2001 BP League Cup 1-0, with the killer goal coming from . . . yes, you guessed it — Makwasha!
I think that instead of burying themselves in these conspiracy theories’ sand dunes, the whole Shabanie Mine’s community needs to rally behind their side and spur them on in the remaining three matches because all is not yet lost.
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WHEN will some of our fans learn to accept that every footballer will have an off-day?
I was so saddened at the way that some of the Dynamos, Harare City and Shabanie Mine supporters reacted following the dismal performances of their respective ‘keepers — Artwell Mukandi, Maxwell Nyamupangedengu and Victor Twaliki — at the end of last Wednesday’s league matches.
So these fans — I’d rather call them hooligans — think that these ‘keepers chose to play badly? Of course not!
This is what happens in every occupation, be it sport, music or even at workplaces! Can they all stand up and say they’ve never erred whilst doing their duties?
We should all realise that a goalkeeper’s position is the most daunting because if he makes a mistake, the most likely result will be a goal for the opposition. But a striker can miss 10 glorious sitters and score just once and he becomes a hero!
At least the Buffaloes fans reacted as wisely as their head coach, Moses “Bambo” Chunga, who blatantly refused to blame his ‘keeper, Itai Chiwara, alone, for the 1-3 drubbing by ZPC Kariba on the same day at Gwanzura.
Although Chunga pulled out Chiwara early in the second half, he boldly declared: “We can’t look at the many blunders our ‘keeper made because he doesn’t play alone. It’s not a singles (tennis match). It’s a team so the whole team has to be blamed.”
I sincerely hope that all those hooligans mentioned earlier will take a cue from “Bambo’s words of sanity and wisdom.
Till next week, remember to take care of your loved ones and each other. It’s bye bye for now.
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