LOVEMORE MAJAIVANA’S classic song “Tshilamoya”, a praise tune that the legendary musician penned in salute of Highlanders, belted from the PA system long after referee Nomore Musundire had blown the final whistle.
Most Dynamos fans had already dispersed from the stadium, in fact some had begun trooping out soon after Bruce Kangwa headed in Highlanders’ second goal in the 76th minute.
Remembrance Drive, the road that passes through Rufaro Stadium, from the famous Mupedzanhamo Market to the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Services radio stations, was a sea of black and white.
Some Bosso fans swarmed around their iconic administrator Ndumiso Gumede as he boastfully strolled out of the ceremonial home of football.
“More is coming, you have seen nothing yet,” the burly administrator bragged.
The jinx had finally been broken and it was party time for the Highlanders fans who packed Rufaro’s City End.
It was a victory made sweeter by the identity of the main actor.
Prince Dube, a product of the Highlanders Academy who has rocked the Premiership in the past three weeks, was only eight years old when Bosso last beat DeMbare in a league match.
That was back in 2006, on July 30 when Bosso beat DeMbare 2-0 at Barbourfields to complete back-to-back victories over their traditional rivals on their way to their last Premier Soccer League title.
The 18-year-old Dube silenced the Vietnam Stand with a stunning strike 57 minutes into the game, right in front of the Mbare End supporters.
He then set up Kangwa with an inch perfect cross 14 minutes from the final whistle.
“Something inside urged me on as I raced onto that through pass from Knox (Mutizwa), but when the ball rattled the nets, I felt like I was dreaming.
“It happened in a flash, it feels great to score in a big battle like this one. The jinx has finally been broken…I cannot believe this,” said the Young Warriors striker as the media swarmed around him for a juicy sound bite.
Mutizwa had predicted the move during the halftime pep talk.
“I said to him (Dube), one through pass would be enough for him to make a name,” said Mutizwa who might have played his last Battle of Zimbabwe as he is expected to join Bidvest Wits of South Africa in July.
Not even the return of the revered Murape Murape could inspire Dynamos. The Vietnam fans sang the popular “Monya ane Cremora” just before kick-off and Richard “Nyoka” Chihoro gestured the three-goal sign towards the Bosso fans but that was all in vain.
In the end, Dynamos players were once again forsaken by their supporters, club president Kenny Mubaiwa has seemingly gone into hiding and club secretary Webster Chikengezha is contemplating quitting amid reports that he fears the DeMbare brand is now tarnishing his corporate image.
Dynamos are breaking all the records this season, albeit for the wrong reasons.
Caps United beat them for the first time in a league match since 2009, FC Platinum won at Rufaro in the league for the first time since their promotion into the top flight in 2011 and yesterday, Bosso broke the 10-year jinx.
The supernatural fans think a bad omen has been cast on their team. “Team yakasungwa iyi,” some said as they trooped out of the stadium.
DeMbare hit the woodwork thrice through Farai Mupasiri in the first half, substitute Brett Amidu early in the second half and another substitute Kelvin Bulaji later on.
When Mutizwa stylishly slipped the ball between Ocean Mushure’s legs in the 86th minute, the writing was on the wall, Bosso were marching towards a historical victory.
It was a tantalizing game, better than the Harare Derby played at the same venue early this month and befitting of its Battle of Zimbabwe tag.
The crowd, which included Zifa president Philip Chiyangwa, was treated to some end to end action for 90 plus minutes.
There was no crowd trouble this time around as the police maintained a heavy presence in and outside the stadium.
- Sunday Mail
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