Zimbabwe’s soccer giants and perennial rivals, Dynamos, Highlanders, and Caps United, all ganged up against the rich Scotland FC today at the ceremonial home of football, Rufaro Stadium, where Dembare hosted the new outfit.
The fans were dressed in their team colors, singing against Scotland, understandably so, given that the team is not only performing well and sitting in the top four of the log standings, but also because the giants, especially Dynamos and Caps United, are both struggling in the relegation zone with just 8 points each.
Never in the history of soccer have these teams found themselves in such positions simultaneously, with only two newcomers, Kwekwe United and Triangle United, below them in the standings.
And, as if to punish the fading giants’ alliance, Scotland emerged 1-0 winners, with Tymon Machope scoring again, just as he had against Herentials last time out.
However, Dembare fans, angry like their Caps United counterparts, are now calling for the dismissal of their coach, Loyd Chigove.
“It has always been too ambitious to believe Chigove would deliver for Dembare; he’s not the caliber to lead such a big institution,” said one fan who wished to remain anonymous.
Yet others consoled themselves with humorous WhatsApp statuses like “Musatipa pressure, Dynamos inowina painoda.”
Before the match, some enthusiastic fans could be seen carrying a mock coffin, declaring they would bury Scotland.
However, they could not bury Scotland; instead, it is Dembare who have been condemned to a painful defeat by a team that has bought every player they wanted from Zimbabwe, including coach Tonderai Ndiraya, a son of Dembare.
If both Caps United and Dynamos do not quickly get back on track, it would not surprise us to see the two giants battling it out in the lower leagues in Dzivarasekwa grounds, specifically the ZIFA Division One league, where relegation would put them in a precarious position with no guarantee of promotion back to the top tier.
Only time will tell.
Story by Lovemore Masunungure
