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MOMENT OF TRUTH . . . Can Norman Mapeza and his FC Platinum troops release their blockbuster movie at Ascot? Only time will tell

Robson Sharuko Senior Sports Editor—
A BLOCKBUSTER movie that has been half-a-century in the making could finally be released this weekend amid an explosion of grand celebrations in the Midlands, toasting the landmark success of footballers who finally found a way to tame a stubborn emperor and defy the curse of history. Ascot is usually an iconic arena associated with the best of horse racing, but it could this weekend provide the setting for the première of a long-awaited epic movie that has been more than 50 years in the making since the late Father Anthony Davies and his band of footballers from Musami in Murewa made their smash-hit film in 1966. But amid the great expectations and wave of excitement sweeping through the hearts of those who have been waiting virtually a lifetime for something like this to happen, exists an element of doubt that the very indomitable force from the capital — which has derailed this project and shattered many dreams — could provide another twist to this tale and plunge them into mourning.

For, somehow, fate has ensured that this very old dominant beast remains a part of the story this coming weekend, on this final hurdle, on this final leap and on this final quest for immortality, on one side, and one of the most unexpected of triumphs by this dominant beast.

Fate has ensured the Glamour Boys remain with a chance to wreck the party and, for the umpteenth time, stage another spectacular smash-and-grab mission to add another chapter to its book pregnant with such tales of heroism and success.

Yes, while everything looks set for the coronation at Ascot, the brutal reality is that the curse that has stalked a host of scriptwriters and producers who have tried and failed, to successfully release a sequel to the Davies Babes of ‘66, might strike once again this coming weekend.

After 31 rounds of twists and turns, and more than 279 matches featuring a Miracle Goal, that head-butt by an Indomitable Lion, a red card they tried but failed to nullify, a goal-post that collapsed under the height of a goalkeeper and led to the abandonment of a match, ironically at the same Ascot, where the coronation is now due to be performed, it has now come to this.

A 33-minute replay, which produced nothing after the preceding 57 minutes had produced everything, including four goals and a collapsed goal-post, the platinum revolution in full bloom, the demise of the Stubborn Boys, the revival of the Glamour Boys, the refusal to surrender of the Miracle Boys.

A Prince self-styled, nomadic, controversial or maverick, whatever suits your description — who failed to settle in the City of Kings after a surprise move down south, where away from the capital, he believed his game could be revived.

And another Prince — who appears to be the real deal — who they sold to the producers of Mzansi Magic in yet another graphic demonstration of the failure of the domestic Premiership to resist the lure of the riches of Super Diski.

After all this, and much more, it has all come to this. An Ocean that threatened to drown everything in its path, an Indomitable Lion that roared and shook the kingdom, a Green Machine crippled by its continental adventure, a pack of Gamecocks which dared to dream, a black-and-white Bosso Brigade that punched under its weight and a Bantu Rovers project which was overwhelmed by the challenge, it has now come to this.

Just one-and-half hours of compelling drama in Harare and Gweru is all that now remains between triumph and tragedy, success and surrender, glory and gold and gloom and doom, joy and pain, sunshine and rain.

Something will have to give, someone will have to fail, history could be made, the mystery could be extended for yet another year, the realisation of seven million dreams or the dawn of a new era in domestic football, where for the first time in more than half-a-century, the king came from outside Harare and Bulawayo.

Will Norman Mapeza and his FC Platinum troops release their blockbuster movie at Ascot, where CAPS United celebrated an end to their 11-year barren search for the title last year, or will the old beast Dynamos prevent their coronation again on Super Sunday?

Riot Tinto thought they had it all sealed in 1983, but once again, the old beast came and wrecked their party after the two teams finished with the same number of points, only for Dynamos to win by virtue of having scored more goals.

FC Platinum thought they had sealed it all in 2011, needing at least just a draw in their penultimate match of the game at home for them to be champions, only for the old beast to come and wreck their party with a smash-and-grab victory. ZPC Kariba thought they had sealed it all recently, but once again, against all odds, the old beast came on Super Sunday and took all the glory, leaving them to wonder what it might have been had they cleared the final hurdle.

Super Sunday is not for those of a nervous disposition, it will be a horror movie for some and a comedy for others — either way — one will have to give.

The people of Zvishavane believe this is their moment and can hardly wait for the release of their movie, which for more than half-a-century, others have failed to complete. The old beast is watching from a distance in Harare and waiting for a little window to ensure that it will not happen and their fans believe they have history behind them.