The Sunday News
IT is that time again when we witness our own version of a football rivalry. Oh yes its game on this afternoon, its MaDeMbare versus Bosso at Emagumeni, kickoff time is 3pm.
Such kind of games come with contemplations of fierce “conflicts” between supporters, huge media coverage, and high television viewing figures, bitter controversies but, these are causes and consequences of high-profile rivalries.
Yes it’s the blockbuster affair between Bosso and DeMbare that culminates into a “blood and thunder affair” (in the field of play of course) at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon.
In other countries where there are pre-match tickets we could have known days before the match that it could have been sold out or not. Unfortunately that is an alien concept in this part of the world.
However, already, predictions are running fast and furious.
But we all have to wait until shortly before 5pm, at the end of what might prove the biggest match in the Premiership programme this year, to know whether the script has changed.
This is, to many, a grudge match as they come; what with Bosso being denied a genuine goal by a match official last time around, in a game that could have seen a share of spoils, instead of the loss of all the three points at stake for Bosso.
However, there was no missile throwing at the end of that high octane thriller where Bosso proved Good Losers and not Bad losers. That is football. You win some you lose some.
Last time OUT Bosso were virtually on top of the PROCEEDINGS, but MaDeMbare refused to submit with their characteristic never-say-die attitude.
And a lot today will hinge on how Dynamos perform at Barbourfields Stadium where ironically Bosso have failed to impress in as many games. And all things look a tall order for Bosso and the pressure is on the home side to break that long standing jinx, a feat that has eluded them for the past nine years. Eish . . .
But that is the name of the game if you don’t play well, you don’t win games. If you don’t prepare well don’t expect to win any game. And if you are tactically naïve, you will continue singing the blues. Period!
Some Bosso followers may say that history is nothing, but assisted and recorded memory will have no bearing on their team’s chances today. But in those nine years it has been a tale of futile whistles of encouragement.
But whatever the outcome of the game, or whatever the predictions, our appeal, for the umpteenth time, to all those who will throng Emagumeni today is: Let’s embrace the spirit of Fair Play. And let Fair Play be the guiding principle.
We should strive to win fairly, because matches should not be won by hook and crook, and that above all RESPECT should be part of the game. Without opponents there can be no game and that everyone has the same rights, including the right to be respected.
Team mates are colleagues and referees are there to maintain discipline and fair play.
We should always accept the referee’s decisions without arguing, and help them to enable all the participants to have a more enjoyable game. Officials are also part of the game and must be respected accordingly.
Players should desist from engaging in provocative acts that can elicit unnecessary harsh reactions from the supporters, yes when we are on top we would like to rub it in the face of our opponents but we should be restrained in this “high tension” game.
Fans should give the game atmosphere: conduct themselves fairly by respecting themselves. What the game demands are genuine fans, people who have respect for property, safety of others, coaches, and even themselves.
Granted, referees do err sometimes, coaches can make unpopular decisions but surely there are civilised ways of making one’s feelings known and resorting to violence is certainly not one of them.
Therefore, today, the challenge to all those who love “the most beautiful game” is let’s not be ashamed to stand up to anybody who engages in unacceptable behaviour this afternoon. We recall that the many sober minded football people at the famous Soweto stand, stood up against violence. We know an equal number of responsible football fans at the Mpilo end said NO to insulting songs directed to their perceived ENEMIES. In football there are no ENEMIES but there are colleagues.
AND the fact that the match will be broadcast live by Supersport affords us as a football loving nation to once again show the world that Zimbabwe in general, and Highlanders and Dynamos members in particular, are TRUE football people who have embraced the spirit of Fair Play.
After all don’t they say “victory is sweetest when you’ve known defeat?”
May the better team win.
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