DYNAMOS were crowned the 2012 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions on Sunday — for the second year running — and congratulations are certainly in order.
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They will now play in the Caf Champions League and we hope they will be able to do better in this competition than in the last two seasons. It has been a good season, competitive and pushed to the last 90 minutes by second-placed Highlanders.
We believe the league needs to grow even more competitively next season so that we have stronger and more organised teams representing Zimbabwe in the Champions League and the Confederation Cup.
Without looking much at the “three points of shame” awarded from a violence-riddled match played on May 6 between Dynamos and Hwange at Rufaro Stadium, we believe the sponsors, Delta Beverages, through their Castle Lager brand, deserve plaudits for their investment in the local game.
The issue of violence, though, continues to threaten the game in the country and this season recorded four incidents in Harare and Bulawayo involving the biggest franchises in the country — Dynamos and Highlanders. This is shameful. These are the two teams that should lead the other “small teams” by example and exhibit the route to professionalism and set standards.
In the same vein, we remain worried about the Muchadeyi Masunda panel’s judgment in the Dynamos-Hwange case that points to violence being tolerated in the game of football.
When Caps United and Highlanders are fined $5 000 for the unruly behaviour of their fans, which did not harm a team official or player, we expect more deterrent measures for teams that engage in violence leading to a team to play without coaches. To demand evidence of trauma because the team scored two goals is completely offside. A team cannot play without its technical members, taking instructions from a kit manager. Where has that ever happened in the world of football?
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Part of Masunda’s judgment read: “The police report, referees’ report and other papers that were filed prove, beyond doubt, that the three DFC (Dynamos Football Club) marshals did assault the head coach (Nation Dube) and the assistant coach (Mebelo Njekwa) of HFC (Hwange Football Club).
“The coach was grabbed by the neck and his head was banged against the wall a few times, resulting in a swollen head. The assistant coach was also grabbed and pushed against the wall. They were both taken to Harare Central Hospital for medical examination and were given medication. Consequently they did not participate in the match.”
Need we say more?
After raising these issues, which we need to watch out for next season, we still say congratulations to Dynamos. We wish you the best in the Champions League and be good ambassadors. The corridors of power at Caf will not tolerate violence at stadia perpetrated by you.
