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Twine Phiri

Augustine Hwata Sports Reporter
THE Premier Soccer League have slammed the violence which erupted in Bulawayo on Saturday and are concerned that their flagship fixture has now degenerated into a source of mayhem every time it is hosted in the City of Kings.
There were chaotic scenes in Bulawayo on Saturday as violence erupted at Barbourfields and spread into other areas of the country’s second biggest city in the wake of Highlanders’ 0-1 defeat at the hands of bitter rivals Dynamos in a Castle Lager Premiership tie.

Bosso have not beaten Dynamos, in a league match, in seven years and while the Bulawayo giants dominated large chunks of the match, especially the first half when they played football at a high level, they failed to utilise their chances and fell to a second half goal by Rodreck Mutuma.

It was Highlanders’ first defeat, at home, this season and that it was inflicted by Dynamos, the old rivals who have beaten them to the league championship on goal difference in each of the past two years, was too much for some of their fans to bear.

Interestingly, DeMbare were also the first team to inflict defeat on Bosso, in the league this year, when Highlanders fell 0-1 at the National Sports Stadium with Washington Pakamisa scoring the only goal.

The violence on Saturday has been blamed for the death of a Bosso supporter, Thembelenkosi Hlosi, who died close to Renkini long distance bus terminus in skirmishes linked to the mayhem that started from Barbourfields.

His death comes exactly 10 years after Dynamos fan Stanford Nhau, popularly known as “Taribo West”, died after injuries sustained in another violent clash by fans at Barbourfields.

Yesterday, PSL chairman Twine Phiri said this was unacceptable.
“The Premier Soccer League is deeply disturbed by violence that occurred during and after the football match involving Highlanders Football Club and Dynamos Football Club played at Barbourfields Stadium, Bulawayo on Saturday,” Phiri said in a statement.

“We condemn acts of violence and malicious damage to property. It is sad and painful that a life was lost and property was damaged after a football match.
“The loss of life in a family sport like football brings fear, anguish, sorrow and pain not only to family members of the deceased, but to the whole society. Life is a precious gift from God.

“The Premier Soccer League is extremely concerned that one fixture, out of more than 250 fixtures, becomes a war zone. The shattering of glass and spilling of blood must never be part of football.”

Phiri said there was need for everyone to play their part to stop the violence.
“We appeal to Community Leaders, religious leaders, councillors, Members of Parliament, national leaders and the general members of the public to join hands and fight hooliganism and violence at football matches,” he said.

It’s the third straight game, involving Bosso and DeMbare, to be hit by violent disturbances at Barbourfields.
In February last year, Highlanders fans ran riot after their team lost 1-2 to Dynamos in the first leg of the Bob ’89 Super Cup at Barbourfields and police arrested nine hooligans.

Police had to fire teargas canisters to quell the violence.
A 12-year-old boy was taken to Mpilo Hospital for treatment after he sustained a deep cut on his forehead having been hit by a missile while car windscreens were smashed in the orgy of violence.

Dynamos team manager Richard Chihoro said they received reports that a number of their fans were injured in the clashes.
“We left the stadium safely in the team bus, but I understand that some of our supporters were injured during the clashes.

The two giants were then fined US$8 000 each by the PSL after violence once again marred their league match at Barbourfields last year.
But it appears that the punishment did not stop the violence as the areas adjacent to Barbourfields were turned into a war zone on Saturday.

Broadcaster Ezra “Tshisa” Sibanda said the violence had reached levels where it could no longer be tolerated.
“Football hooliganism by unruly, violent and destructive overzealous supporters of both Highlanders and Dynamos fans should never be tolerated or condoned by any sensible and able-minded human being,” Sibanda wrote on his Facebook page.

“The throwing of missiles into the ground, including brawling, vandalism and intimidation by rival supporters not only shames our already tainted football image but shows how low and behind we are in world of sport.

“I think it is a bit silly how these idiots fight about football instead of showing passion about their teams by singing and cheering their players.
“It’s different nowadays in games involving Zimbabwe’s biggest and most supported teams, Bosso and DeMbare, it’s no longer a game of football but it’s a war.

“You ask yourself for what, what’s there to gain and why all the anger? No disrespect intended but these idiots should better concentrate on bettering their lives and that of their families than to sweat blood for football.”