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Sports Reporter
THE ZIFA Northern Region leadership have announced that a minute of silence will be observed, before the Yadah TV Knock-out Cup final at Gwanzura on Saturday, and players from the two finalists – Mushowani Stars and Ngezi Platinum – will wear black armbands. League chairman, Willard Manyengavana, and secretary-general, Sweeney Mushonga, yesterday said they were mourning the 11 people who were killed in a stampede at a Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Crusade in Kwekwe last Thursday.

PHD leader, Prophet Walter Magaya, went into partnership with the ZIFA Northern Region when he announced a landmark $30 000 sponsorship package, through his Yadah TV, for the league’s premier eight-team knockout tournament.

The final of the tournament, whose semi-finals also blazed a trail when they were screened live on national television, will be held at Gwanzura on Saturday with Mushowani Stars and Ngezi Platinum, who finished strongly in the championship campaign, battling for the trophy.

Manyengavana said it was important that the ZIFA Northern Region join their sponsors, in this time of bereavement, and the finalists will wear black armbands and a minute of silence will also be observed before the final gets underway.

“As a league, we are joining our sponsor in this time of mourning, remembering those people who passed away in that tragedy at Mbizo, and that is why we have ordered that a minute of silence be observed before the final,” said Manyengavana.

“We have also ordered that the two teams wear black armbands because it’s a sad moment, for our sponsors and also for us, and it is important that we reflect that sadness in the way that we conduct ourselves in a tournament that is sponsored by Yadah TV.

“The prophet sponsors a team, which plays in our league and made a strong challenge for the title, and he also showed that he is a football man by sponsoring our knockout tournament, something that was unheard of when it comes to Division One in the past.

“The big game on Saturday is the final of that tournament, which Yadah TV have sponsored, and given the tragic events in Kwekwe, it’s important that, as we bring this tournament to a close, we remember those people who died in that tragedy. When the prophet decided to sponsor our knockout tournament, we became partners, in good and bad times, and we feel that at this tough time for everyone at PHD, we also have to be seen to be offering our support to them and also grieving with the families who lost their loved ones. Our football has dealt with a tragedy of this nature before when fans were killed in that stampede at the National Sports Stadium and no one wants to see lives being lost but when it happens we have to be strong and pray that it won’t happen again.”

Manyengavana said their thoughts were with the families of those who lost their loved ones at Mbizo and they will play their part in remembering them by observing the minute of silence.

“Our thoughts are with the families of those who lost their loved ones and we will remember them as a league by observing the minute of silence on Saturday and the players will also wear the black armbands,” said Manyengavana.

“We are also hoping that the prophet keeps praying so that he finds strength to continue the good work that he is doing in his mission, even against the background of such a tragedy.

“We want to assure him that we are with him, during these difficult times, and he can bank on our support.

“He is our sponsor and our interactions with him in the past few months have shown us that he is a man who really cares to see progress, not only in our football, but in our country as a whole and we know that he is going through a difficult time right now.

“When we needed a partner to help move our football forward, he didn’t hesitate to play a part, and we respect him for that and, as he deals with this tragedy, it is important that we also walk with him and give him support and strength.”

Mushonga, the ZIFA Northern Region secretary-general, said Magaya came with a message for domestic football to cleanse itself from its beliefs in juju and a number of clubs were now having another look at how they do their business.

“The prophet came with a very powerful message because people have been asking all along that if juju really works, why is it then that we have never had an African team winning the World Cup?” said Mushonga.

“Our partnership with the prophet places a lot of emphasis on prayer and that is why, as he faces a very difficult time given the events in Kwekwe, we want him to know that we are praying for him and that our thoughts too are with those families who lost their beloved ones in that tragedy.

“The prophet came to help us, when no one was there to do so, and as a league we have benefited a lot from our partnership and we have to be seen to be providing him with support, at this very difficult time, and making him know that he can count on us for such support.”