Noah Pomo

By Noah Pomo Zimbabwe face Nigeria, South Africa, Benin, Rwanda and Lesotho in their quest to reach World Cup 2026 finals, a mission impossible in the years since independence in 1990. After reinstatement to the football family after 18 months of isolation fans and players couldn’t wait to pit their wits against Africa’s best. Fans can still remember the last time in 2001 when 13 fans died after South Africa upset Zimbabwe at the National Sports’ stadium 2-0. Charles Mabika will wince a bit as he remembers losing his commentary job after saluting Austin Jay Jay Okocha on fire for Nigeria in a 3-0 win at National Sports Stadium in Harare before conceding 5 in Lagos to the same opponent away. Tormentor-in-chief Okocha may be gone, but so is hero Peter Ndlovu now retired termed the everyday wonder or ‘Nsukuzonke. Rarely will a visiting opponent receive the same begrudging respect that turned into awe as Okocha did that day in Harare. Fans were provoked by his unerring free kicks during warm-up. But not conceding any free kicks near the home box was not enough as Okocha displayed a dribbling and feinting masterclass bar none. The gap maybe closer between the rest of Africa, Nigeria and Cameroon than it was 20 years ago. But Lincoln Mutasa will be hard-pressed to find the coach for Mission Impossible as a place in the World cup finals beckons. This has never been done before although the team of 1992-4 came closest. It had Peter, Madinda and Adam Ndlovu, Francis Shonhayi, Benjamin Nkonjera, Memory Mucherahowa, Bruce Grobbelaar, Melusi Nkiwane, Willard Khumalo, Rahman Gumbo, Vitalis Takawira, Wilfred Mugeyi, Ephraim Chawanda, Henry Mckop, Norman Mapeza, John Phiri, Alois Bunjira, Ernest Chirambadare, Brenna Msiska.

In the 2023 qualifiers Zimbabwe beat all the teams they faced except Sri Lanka and Scotland. The victory over Oman was closer and entertaining. Suddenly one victory in 2 games was all they needed to qualify for the World Cup. And that victory was a bridge too far. Or two bridges.

Busi Ncube will perform in Bulawayo on the 11th of June 2023 at The place. She was 23 in 1986 when “True Love” the monster hit, she sang lead on, came out. She turns 60 this year. 4 filmmakers and a businessman were riding together in a Mercedes Benz. The song “True Love’ suddenly came on. One of the young film-makers was so impressed he asked which country this song was from. His colleagues laughed at him so hard it was almost embarrassing. He got away with the excuse: “I don’t really follow local music.” Generations have been born since 1986 who simply have no idea who these people were: Comrade Chinx, Andy Brown, Busi Ncube, Keith Farquharson, Don Gumbo, Gibson Batishta, Adam Chisvo, Munya Brown, Gibson Nyoni, and Virgillio Ignacia. 8 out 10 are deceased. Just 2 remain: Keith Farquharson (the youngest) and Busi Ncube. These, at one time or another where talented members of the fusion group Ilanga with more than one lead vocalist.

Shingai Shoniwa followed up on the monster Winky D “Dzimba Dzemabwe” collaboration with a new single and will perform with Jah Prayzah at Osborne Dam in Mutare today as Diamond FM celebrates its 7th anniversary.

By Noah Pomo Joe Njagu promised me 30 minutes of the crew's time. Nothing more. They were running out of time. Their Worldwide launch was set for Friday 31 March in Harare. They were scrambling to push VIP ticket sales and ticket deliveries for the premiere of 'Ngoda'. What I got was 2hrs instead due to: my early arrival, a sudden power cut affecting an area usually spared of one of Zimbabwe's 5 certainties (death, taxes, power cuts, no water, and rising prices). In most places blackouts are using up almost 18 hours or more of a day. Sometimes all. As generous as the offer from Joe was, meeting the available 4 male cast and crew members I felt I needed more. The sudden and unexpected appearance of Carol Mashingaidze-Zimbizi was by far the best coup possible. End of March anyway.