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FANS are no longer filling the stadiums for local football.

Gone are the days when stadiums would fill two hours before kick-off. To get an insight into the problems bedeviling attendance, our Sports Reporter Tadious Manyepo (TM) sought a one on one with the Zimbabwe National Soccer Supporters Association (ZNSSA) president Chama Mushamaenza (CM) who revealed more.

TM: Who is Chama Mushamaenza?

CM: Chama Mushamaenza was born 52 years ago on the 6th of June. I come from Honde Valley and grew up in Mabvuku.

TM: How and when did you develop interest in football? 

CM: My late sister used to take me to Rufaro Stadium from 1975 that’s when I developed interest in football. Watching the likes of David George, George Rollo, Gift Mpariwa, Douglas Mloyi, Matthew Mwale, Laban Kandi, Tauya Mrewa and Biggie Zuze, among others.

Yesteryear football was well organised and it was easy to fall in love with soccer. Entering the stadium was easy, imagine gates were opened by 10am. Entertainment before the main game was there and junior football was also part of the day.

TM: What football background and experience do you have?

CM: From 1999 I owned an Area Zone team in Mabvuku called Leopards FC. I was also a board member and manager of Hartley Academy FC which was owned by Phil Makekela and I worked with Rodwell Dhlakama, Taku Shariwa, Herbert Maruwa, Newton Chitewe and Takesure Chiragwi.

TM: And how did you end up being ZNSSA president? 

CM: ZNSSA is the brainchild of the late Coleman Majaya together with Eddie “Mboma” Nyatanga and Wellington Mpandare.

I was given the mandate to ensure I took the association to another level through uniting all supporters along with undertaking several initiatives.

TM: So how do you unite football supporters from different teams?

CM: Like I said before my mandate is to ensure ZNSSA becomes a good brand, we have a constitution and a code of contact framework now in place. Under the constitution, the operating executive comprises supporters chairmen from all the clubs, including four regions (Northern,Southern, Eastern and Central) and 10 provinces. This helps in fostering unity across the board. We also hold regular meetings involving the chairmen and this October we will be in Bulawayo for our indaba.

TM: Fans are no longer going to stadiums for local football, especially in the Premier Soccer League what do you think are the reasons behind that?

CM: Covid-19 impacted negatively on our football. The effects are still being felt. Also we need to use Rufaro Stadium for most of the games. Logistically, Rufaro appeals more to fans. There is need for the PSL and ZIFA to engage the supporters on the way forward. If you take a closer look, the supporters are always neglected, no consultation at all on issues to do with our football.

TM: Foul language and faulty songs are some of the things blamed over families’ shunning local football matches, what are you doing to address that?

CM: We are carrying out awareness campaigns and seminars around our regions. We are in the process of building ZNSSA structures around the country and do fund raising to fund our initiatives.

TM: As the ZNSSA, what other measures are you taking to ensure our stadia fills up again? 

CM: We will be approaching the PSL, we need easy access to stadia and all logistics that allow supporters to pay in advance, even for the whole season. For that to happen there is need for order, bucket seats, good parking space, transport specifically to stadia, maintenance of grounds.

Bringing back entertainment during games and having junior football before main games.

TM: How much do you guys relate to other supporters groups from other countries?

CM: It’s on our agenda, hopefully next year we will embark on that journey but firstly we need to ensure we have a vibrant association with proper structures and we are busy carrying out membership drive right now. 

TM: Save for cheerleader Chris “Romario’’ Musekiwa, there were no supporters at the last AFCON in Cameroon, what was the reason? 

CM: We could not send supporters to the last AFCON due to lack of funding, Covid-19 restrictions and poor planning.

In future we will be doing our own initiatives to ensure we send our supporters to such tournaments.

TM: What fundraising initiatives are you guys taking to ensure your coffers are always liquid?

CM: We have lined up a lot of activities for the coming year to boost our coffers and we are going to incorporate some bands for live shows, look for sponsors to do Marathons and also involve our members for catering and providing refreshments during matches. We will also approach the relevant authorities to operate, for example, the ZNSSA bar.

TM: I also understand you are considering some medical aid and funeral insurance issues so as to ensure your members are catered for, can you shed more light.

CM: True, we have approached different service providers for medical aid and funeral insurance. As you are aware, this is a game of numbers. As we carry out our membership registration and numbers increasing, we have very good packages awaiting us.

TM: How do you relate to other fans groupings like Friends of the Warriors? 

CM: We are in good books with other soccer groups including Friends of Warriors. We always join hands when approaching issues to do with fans and football development. We are working on the logistics and do not be surprised when the associations join hands to become one.