Why I started supporting Caps United

By Lot Chitakasha

How does one become a supporter of a particular team? I can appreciate those who support the giants, everyone loves a winner. But what about those who stick with the minnows? Despite years of heart ache, these supporters do not waver even when the chances of any form of silverware are remote or non –existent.

These questions invariably punctuate any discussion among football fans. I have decided to explore some of the reasons and as usual I will focus on Zimbabwe with cross references to other nations where applicable.

Personally, the teams close to my heart are Caps United, the Zimbabwe National team and Arsenal in that order. My second choice is easy to explain being the patriot that I am. As for Arsenal, the Invincible team of 2003 to 2004 season, coupled with the dominant displays of Patrick Viera, my all time favourite midfielder and the goal scoring exploits of Thiery Henry persuaded me to be a Gunner up to this day.

The signing of Nwako Kanu , the majestic Nigerian superstar was the icing on the cake for me. Inevitably years of hurt have followed but they have been assuaged by the FA cup wins of the past two seasons although the wait for that elusive league title continues. With regards to Caps United, it is a long and interesting story.

I came to support Caps United by mere chance. As a 14 year old in 1981, I moved from Rusape to Harare to live with my parents in Highfield, that old black township often described as the hotbed of Zimbabwe nationalism.

I had grown up in the rural areas under the watchful eye of my maternal grandmother, Mbuya Mutsvuku so called because she was very light in complexion. She was well- known throughout the village and even beyond for her uncompromising approach to life and village affairs in general. She was a disciplinarian, but I digress.

Anyway after tear-filled farewells, I embarked on that long journey to Harare or Jarkata as people were so fond of saying those days. Highfield like the rest of the country was still drunk from the euphoria of independence and hope was in the air.

Then came the baptism of fire. My aunt, my mother ‘s young sister took me to Gwanzura stadium for a football match.

I have to admit that my knowledge of football matters was still green but like everyone else I knew about Dynamos, George Shaya and a bit about Highlanders. About Caps United I knew nothing. At Gwanzura, the two teams trotted out in their shiny green and yellow kits and my heart was immediately drawn to the yellow team.

By the end of the match, the green team had literally stream rolled past the yellow team, the result confirmed the follies of youthful choices. Caps United had beaten Black Aces and from that day I was converted and became a disciple.

My appreciation of the team was further enhanced by the fact that I used to watch them train at the historical Zimbabwe Grounds before they moved to Raylton Sports Club.

Religiously, from Tuesday to Friday, I would watch the players go through their paces under the watchful eyes of Obadiah “Wasu” Sarupinda and Ashton “Papa” Nyazika. The team only trained for two hours, this was before professionalism was introduced.

The quality of football still remained high. When Black Rhinos was formed, I was heartbroken following the departure of Stix Mtizwa,Stanley Ndunduma and William Chikauro but the rebuilding soon commenced.

I was privileged because most of the new players were from Highfield schools so I interacted with them daily. The likes of Tobias Sibanda, Kudzanayi Taruvinga from Mukai High, George Nechironga from Glen Norah high, Oscar Motsi and Tidings Keta from Kwayedza High all came to the fore. Together with the senior players and other juniors like Joe Mugabe and Silver Chigwenje, the team soon became a force to reckon with again.

Over the years, the club has had its ups and downs, its celebrations and tragedies and I have shared them all. I have watched some great matches like the Chibuku trophy 3 all draw with Black Rhinos at Rufaro Stadium, Black Rhinos won the replay.

I enjoyed the 7 to 1 drubbing of the old enemy Dynamos but there are some bad memories too, the 4 -0 hammering by Darryn T in one final, the 2 – 1 loss to Tanganda in a Zifa Castle cup final and of course the losses to Dynamos, they hurt the most.

The club has lost some great sons, Joel Shambo, Stanley Ndunduma, Shacky Tauro, William Chikauro, Never Chiku, Cheche Billiat, the not so well known like Eddie Musiyandaka, Edson Lusengo, Gift Mudangwe, the tragic road accident that claimed the lives of Blessing Makunike, Shingie Arlon and Gary Mashoko and the one that paralysed popular coach, Steve “The Cool Dude” Kwashi.

I have shared the pain of players whose careers were cut short by injuries, Edwn Farai, Basil Chisopo and Tidings Keta. This is what it means to be a supporter, sharing the joy and the pain and it began that sunny Sunday afternoon some 34 years ago.

What about the other supporters. I am sure each of them have a story to tell. Dynamos have the largest support base in the country and their supporters are some of the most loyal. The popularity of Dynamos stems from their formation.

Formed during the rise of black nationalism by a group of black players, Dynamos became more than a club. They came to represent a challenge to white hegemony, to represent black aspirations and the struggle for independence. Their support base among the black populace has continued to grow.

Mbare an old suburb in Harare has proved to be the hotbed of this support, and every young person growing up in this old township is likely to be a fan. Indeed location of a team contributes a lot to its support base. Football support can also be a result of family tradition, a father supports a particular team and the children follow suit.

Highlanders like Dynamos are more than a club. They represent an identity, a source of Ndebele pride and nationalism which can be traced to their formation. For the Ndebele people, Highlanders formed by Lobengula’s grandsons, represents that which remains after the defeat of their kingdom.

Their catchment area being Bulawayo, especially Makokoba and Magwegwe has meant that anyone growing in these parts is likely to support Highlanders. Nationally they also have a large support base second only to Dynamos. It is safe to say that what drives the support base is that they are more than a club, they represent something beyond football – an identity.

Other clubs have come and gone, I wonder what happened to the supporters, did they join other clubs? I pity the supporters of such clubs like Gweru United, they were brilliant with their paper burning antics, the colourful Ndochie Blackpool supporters.

Often the demise of a club has decimated whole communities. There is nothing like supporting a local team and when it folds, the effects are felt far and wide, supporters are traumatised. Rio Tinto, Mhangura and Shabanie bear witness to this.

Teams like Barcelona, Manchester United ,Juventus, Real Madrid to mention just a few have great supporters. Barcelona supporters see in the team more than a club, just like Dynamos and Highlanders.The clubs are an extension of an identity.

Supporting a club is a lifelong experience and supporters share one quality-loyalty. For some, football is an escape from the challenges of life, sociologists have even called it the new religion. Those seeking for something to believe in congregate around their football clubs.

Football supporters do not always cover themselves in glory with racism, hooliganism and general yobbish behaviours still rampart. Some people lose their heads as soon as they get in the stadium, but the majority of supporters are well behaved.

Indeed supporting a team is a lifelong commitment, for some it is all joy, for the majority it is a journey of self-inflicted pain but a few are prepared to switch sides. It is like falling in love, for me it started on a wrong footing, but after the rude awakening I have stuck with the Green Machine.