The Sunday News
FOR the current generation of football fans, the rivalry between Dynamos and Highlanders seems eternal, however, for those who watched soccer in the 1970s and 1980s, the fiercest battle for dominance in Bulawayo were always between Bosso and Zimbabwe Saints.
The games used to create so much tension that one could “cut” it with a knife.
However, the demise of “Super Saints” saw the emergence of the DeMbare-Bosso match as an “epic” battle in local football.
The Battle of Zimbabwe has been characterised by hooliganism over the years but calls are strong now than ever for fans to shun such unsportsmanlike “acts” and enjoy the match without unnecessarily endangering lives, with stakeholders ranging from the Premier Soccer League, the two clubs, fans and the police coming into the fray.
Last year, Bosso fan Thembelenkosi Hloli lost his life following violence after the game in which scores of other football supporters were injured.
Highlanders board secretary Jimmy Ncube said while the tension between Chikwata and Bosso was palatable in the air, the games never degenerated into violence despite numerous shows of force and power between the two sides’ bouncers and supporters.
The likes of the late Noah Smile Ndlovu would engage in mock battles with Saints bouncers that included John Mpostori and Max “Moondog” Kutsanzira as well as Samson Khumalo, who used to carry a bell around, something that would raise the excitement of the game but it would never turn into violence at any point before, during or after the match.
Bra Nox, as Ndlovu was known, emerged at the time as one of the popular Highlanders bouncers and became a face of the club.
He would square off in “psychological battles” with John Mpostori before the games kicked off, invading the pitch and the other would also do likewise and gave chase but that never really resulted in violence.
“That served to spice up the match and it worked wonders as the two sets of fans would roar with excitement but the good thing is we never experienced any violence and I feel the fans should emulate the yesteryear supporters and shun hooliganism,’’ said Ncube.
“It is detrimental and retrogressive, football is supposed to be entertainment and not a battlefield. The battle should only take place in 90 minutes on the pitch,” said Ncube.
Today’s game has all the ingredients of a thriller following an exciting first leg at Rufaro Stadium in Harare and it would be pleasing for supporters to take a leaf from the 1970s-80s football fans, not engage in violence or destructive behaviour but cheer their teams to victory.
South Africa-based avid Highlanders fan Nodumo Nyathi called on fans to exercise restraint and ensure a peaceful atmosphere before, during and after the match.
Nyathi is among several Bosso fans based in SA who arrived in Bulawayo yesterday to watch the second leg of the Battle of Zimbabwe and he expressed optimism his side will emerge victorious today.
“This is an important game because of the rivalry between us and Dynamos but I feel tomorrow is our day, we are going for the jugular and I believe we have what it takes to end the nine-year jinx.
“We miss the euphoria and excitement of winning against Dynamos, we need to dance again after defeating them. I believe the boys are psyched up for this game and have what it takes after that spectacular display at Rufaro,” said Nyathi.
His sentiments were echoed by other members of the South African travelling party, who said supporters in Zimbabwe should emulate those of Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, who besides bitter rivalry never engaged in violence.
