IT was the day domestic football truly returned to a local stadium – a full house at Barbourfields, a colourful and lively crowd and a tough contest between the game’s biggest giants.
The domestic Premiership has been struggling to lure fans back to the stadiums, after the disruptions caused by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, with most games being played in empty arenas.
But, there was always a feeling yesterday’s showdown between Highlanders and Dynamos would be different, in terms of sights and sounds, and it duly delivered.
While the game itself never rose to the expected standards, with teenage forward, Bill Antonio well contained by the impressive Bosso defence, no one can fault the fans for providing a spectacle.
Of course, there were the unsavoury scenes of missiles being thrown onto the pitch but, by and large, it was a beautiful atmosphere as football roared back into life.
It was tense and Shadreck Nyahwa lost his head, in the tension, transforming himself into an amateur version of Bruce Lee, as he flew to attack his opponent with a vicious karate kick.
There was no question it was a straight red card.
Any place outside the stadium, he would probably have spent the night behind bars, waiting for a court appearance today, for an attack likely to cause grievous bodily harm.
Of course, where there is a villain, there is also a hero.
Stanley Ngala was that hero as his well-struck goal, hit with precision, made the difference and handed Bosso the Uhuru Cup.
His golden goal guaranteed him a cool US$1500 for being top scorer in the match and another US$1500 from being a member of the winning team.
That’s US$3000, in 90 minutes, surely Sakunda Holdings, who provided the US$69 300 for the monetary incentives, are changing the face of domestic football.
Ariel Sibanda, the Bosso ‘keeper, picked US$1500, for just not conceding a goal, during the match, and another US$1500, for being part of the winning team.
Each Bosso player, in their 20-man squad, received US$1500, for winning the trophy, while the man-of-the-match got a further US$2500.
Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu received US$2 250, as the winning coach, while each of his four assistants got US$1500.
How life changes, in just one game, Joel Luphaha, who joined Bosso recently after leaving a Division One team, now can earn US$1500 from just one game.
The Bosso team doctor also received US$1500, the two assistant medics got US$1125 each, the team manager got US$1 500 while two technical assistants received US$1125 each.
There was also US$18 300 set for the losing team, Dynamos.
Bosso found the winner eight minutes after the restart through Ngala, who received a pass from Washington Navaya, and buried the ball home with a first-time effort.
The goal celebrations sparked crowd trouble at the Mpilo End, housing the Dynamos fans, forcing a five-minute stoppage.
The Glamour Boys’ tough mission became impossible when Nyahwa received a straight red card for a dangerous high-boot on Navaya.
“What a way to celebrate Independence and winning the Cup here,” said Mpofu.
“The atmosphere was awesome and whenever the two teams play, it’s about pride and Dynamos were in form.”
Dynamos coach, Tonderai Ndiraya, said both teams were winners because what was important was to celebrate the big day.
“Difficult game for us but what is important is what we are celebrating today, so, well done to Highlanders but I think we are all winners today.
“And, I’m happy for the nation and everyone.
“That’s what we want to be having, numbers in our games.
“It was an electrifying game, it’s unfortunate we couldn’t win but that’s football, we won it last year, they did this year.
“And, well done to the fans for making this atmosphere as electric as it was.”
ALSO READ:
BREAKING: Christiano Ronaldo’s Son Dies