The Castle Lager Premier Soccer League’s image suffered yet another major dent on Sunday as Caps United players took their superstitious beliefs to another level by sprinkling the opponents’ substitutes’ bench with some substance thought to be urine.
NewsDay Editorial
The incident took place during the goalless draw against Buffaloes in a Premiership match at Gwanzura.
It was a sad sight as the Buffaloes players were forced to sit on the ground; coach Luke Masomere ended up directing operations while seated on cooler boxes after the hosts had soiled their seats A urine during half-time.
Match referee Darlington Shonhiwa at one time was forced to stop play to take away a bottle filled with urine which was thrown at the visitors’ goal area by the home side’s supporters.
The situation was made even more embarrassing as that particular match was being televised live on SuperSport 9 to millions of viewers across the continent and the rest of the world.
While it is common knowledge that black magic or juju is common in African football, it should be noted the number of incidents involving superstitious beliefs has been on the rise in local football.
So strong is the belief in juju that last year, a number of superstitious Dynamos fans threw bottles believed to be filled with urine onto the Buffaloes goal area.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
The DeMbare players also kicked some of the urine laden bottles into their opponents’ net.
In 2011, the then FC Platinum striker Charles Sibanda was convicted after throwing a urine-like substance at Chicken Inn’s late former gaffer Adam Ndlovu.
Sunday’s incident shows how these superstitious rituals have become so prevalent in Zimbabwean football that it is now bringing the game of football into disrepute.
Surely it is high time the PSL leadership took strong action against such action starting with Caps United.
If these incidents are left to continue without any restraint, then local football will not be the same again. For all intents and purposes, football is a family sport. What lessons do our children learn from such abhorrent incidents in the game?
The PSL should punish teams with supporters who perpetrate such behaviour so that they teach their supporters how to behave during play.
Anything of this sort should be banned. There should also be a programme in place to teach both players and managers the folly of believing that urine can influence a football match.
