ON September 22 2013, Standardsport ran a story headlined; PSL consider withdrawing use of ball boys.
Final Whistle with Brian Nkiwane
As a follow up, on September 30 2013, the paper ran another story headlined When juju rules in local premiership.
The aim of these reports was to try and educate football stakeholders on the need to encourage players, fans and administrators to shun violent practices that go hand in glove with juju use at match venues.
The reports were instructed by events that had taken place then. What boggles the mind is that most of the incidents were coming from CAPS United, FC Platinum and Dynamos.
CAPS United fans and players however seem to forget very quickly. They were at it again last week, allegedly sprinkling visiting Buffaloes seats with urine at halftime as well as at Buffaloes’ goal area.
This shows that these players, fans and football administrators do not appreciate their past mistakes or endevour to behave better.
True, most of them might argue that this superstitious behaviour works for them, but it brings animosity in the beautiful game of football.
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A similar embarrassing incident involving CAPS United happened when they played Blue Ribbon at the giant National Sports Stadium two seasons ago.
After numerous attacks at Blue Ribbon goal area without a breakthrough, CAPS United fans had to use ball boys to go and sprinkle urine at Blue Ribbon’s goal area. Before one of the boys left the goal area, CAPS United scored through Hardlife Zvirekwi.
DeMbare also coined their own piece of history. In a game against Harare City last year, a ball boy, sent by a section of Dynamos fans housed at Rufaro’s Mbare-end, poured a urine-like substance at the goal area a few seconds before Ocean Mushure’s winner.
Throughout the match, Harare City goalkeeper Nomore John had thwarted every Dynamos raid with word going around the stadium that there was juju at the Harare City goal area. That was not before a young boy, sent by a section of Dynamos fans housed at Rufaro’s Mbare-end, poured a urine-like substance at the goal area. Seconds later, Mushure’s strike, his first in the team’s colours, found the mark and the stadium erupted into a frenzy. The belief that the substance had unlocked the “locked” Harare City goal area was very strong. Two seasons ago, former FC Platinum striker Charles Sibanda, who is now at Bosso, was convicted after throwing a urine-like substance at the late Chicken Inn coach Adam Ndlovu. In another incident, FC Platinum bouncers were reportedly involve in a scuffle with CAPS United involving urine. But what is it with urine that makes it appear like such a powerful tool in football, much more trusted than the footballers themselves? As we speak, CAPS United who last year lost a meaningful amount of money like any other club to fines is still awaiting judgement to their case involving Buffaloes. I hope those looking at this issue will do it with a fair mind for the benefit of the game and the perpetrators should be brought to book. l For views and comments email [email protected] or sms 0775341029
