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Lot Chitakasha

Zimbabwe football home matches in Rwanda “is our walk of shame”

By Lot Chitakasha

It is true to say that most governments recognise sports as a useful tool of mass mobilisation. Football, the people’s sport often comes in handy during National events to entertain the masses.

In Zimbabwe this has been the case over the years. At independence in 1980, the football tournament which involved Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi was the icing on the cake. Of course Bob Marley and the Wailers were in town to show solidarity with the new Nation.

They gifted us a song Zimbabwe!

Over the years no National event has been complete without football being part of the proceedings. The Independence and The Heroes Day trophies have been part of our sporting calendar for years.

Teams like Dynamos and Highlanders (with the mass appeal ) have been there to advance the cause of the Nation. Recently they even took the game to Mt.Darwin during the Independence celebrations.

Former President President Mugabe was not a football person per se, he preferred Cricket but even those who surrounded knew the value of football.

Occasionally he attended matches to tap into the National appeal and yes his birthdays became occasions for Cup games. Bob@90, Bob @91…tapping into football!

But if the truth be said, Government, to be precise our Leaders have taken and taken from football without giving back.

Nov 14, 2023 Read more

Rahman Gumbo – A Football Man… a true legend of football in Zimbabwe

By Lot Chitakasha

I attended that blockbuster match when the newly christened Dream Team put the recently assembled Bafana BAFANA who were returning from years of international isolation due to the racist policies of the Apartheid Regime to the sword.

Rahman Gumbo, “Rush ” contributed to the joy with a thirty meter thunderbolt!

What a hit that was and it sent the 60 000 fans into delirium! We were in football heaven!

In my discussion with Legend Moses Chunga he asked me in his usual intelligent way..

“What is a legend .?!”

Nov 13, 2023 Read more

Down Memory Lane: Thriller at Rufaro

By Lot Chitakasha

Allow me some latitude as I go down memory lane. Stanford Stix Mutizwa, Hamid Dhana and Stanley Ndunduma, were magicians in midfield, Govender Langton Mutimba anchored, conceded no space, Maronga Nyangela, Jerry Chidawa, pace, power and precision upfront.

They did not call Maronga The Bomber for nothing! Shortcat between the posts, unbeatable but well on this day he conceded 3. And yes, the steady Bla Widzo, William Chikauro ably supported by captain Lovemore Chikunha. Lest i forget, the marauding Simon “AK” Mugabe, prompting that quip from the affable Ashton “Papa” Nyazika.. “Uri huchi kaze..” he said! Mike Mabhurugwa Abrahams, Eddie Matsika, Jimmy Mbewe, the Livewire they called him all played their part!

Nov 08, 2019 Read more

Lot Chitakasha: Lessons from AFCON…. my thoughts and way forward

By Lot Chitakasha

The curtain came down on what has turned out to be an interesting, dramatic and often error strewn Afcon tournament (often from the men between the sticks.. the goalkeepers).

1. Our Warriors… I am reminded of mukoma Franco Hobodo’s song… “Kana mumba musina mari, mitauro haiperi…” Two words became synonymous with the Warriors campaign.. ” impasse…” and Stand off..! The Bonus issue simply refused to go away and became the tournament.

The Football played second fiddle. Yes other Nations had Bonus issues as well like Cameroon, but Cameroon resolved this at home. They simply refused to board the plane. They came a day or two before the tournament. Lesson learnt.. Bhora haridi noise!

Jul 22, 2019 Read more

Remembering Rodrick Muganhiri…. genius on and off the pitch!

Lot Chitakasha: “Once you embed the title Doctor into the Zimbabwe football narrative many young fans will remember Tauya Murehwa. Interestingly , he was still a medical student in his first or second year when he took the Zimbabwe football fraternity by storm. For the fans , it did not matter so in their euphoria they baptised him as the “Flying Doctor” . But long before the immensely talented Tauya, another good doctor graced our stadia. His went by the name Dr. Roderick Muganhiri.”

Mar 05, 2019 Read more

Why Chitungwiza Town Council should remember the year 1996

Lot Chitakasha: “They say we should not pitch our tents in the past but often enough, the past can be used to inspire the present. If the past can be used as a reference point to motivate the present generation, then indeed, the past should be celebrated. 1996 was a great year for the dormitory town of Chitungwiza.”

Oct 02, 2018 Read more

FEATURE: Charles “Raw Meat” Sibanda…… former CAPS United stalwart now a farmer

“I decided to take a step back from all things football and concentrate on my farming. I am into Dairy
Farming on a large scale, I also breed 10, 000 chickens at any given time. My wife helps me on the
administrative side but I also employ a manager and 15 employees. This is a successful venture and I
am happy.”

These words coming from former Caps United tough tackling defender Charles Sibanda was sweet
music in my ears. Often enough I read about former legends who have fallen on dire straits, some
even send SOS messages on social media and in the press. To therefore talk to a legend who is doing
well post retirement is a cause for celebration.

Aug 13, 2018 Read more

The Fifa World Cup: Lessons for Zimbabwe

By Lot Chitakasha

They came, saw and they conquered! France departed Russia with the cherished trophy. The next edition of their National Shirts will have one more star, denoting that they are world champions a second time. They still have a lot of catching up with Brazil , winners a record five times, but they can be happy with the progress that they are making.

Considering that it was a Frenchman Jules Rimet who first mooted the idea of a World cup, football did actually come home and the dynamic Paul Pobga was quick to remind the English fans of this, “It is coming home !” he sang. But what lessons can we take home as Zimbabwe?

Jul 25, 2018 Read more

The Zimbabwe Grounds: A tribute to the home of grassroots football in the 80’s

Lot Chitakasha: “I grew up in Highfield in an area called Jerusalem. The colonial authorities had a penchant for giving some weird names most of which we have retained up to this day.

There was Jerusalem, Egypt, Lusaka, Canaan and Western Triangle, one wonders why such names were given, the thinking behind them, but I digress. 

Back to the gist of this article, we lived close to Gwanzura Stadium and a further one or so kilometre away  were the historic Zimbabwe Grounds, the place I always refer to as the home of grassroots football. In this article , I pay tribute to these iconic grounds situated in the heart of Highfield.”

Jun 04, 2018 Read more