WHILE a heated debate has ensured over which genre is dominating the Zimbabwe music scene between Zim dancehall and sungura, the latter has proved formidable on the football pitch, as the musicians traded their guitars and microphones for boots.
BY WINSTONE ANTONIO
Sungura rules the roost when it comes to football, as affirmed by the 5-3 score line in favour of the sungura musicians’ team during the much-publicised Chipaz Charity gala challenge match held on Saturday at Gwanzura Stadium in the capital.
With the entry of dancehall, a “war” has erupted, as the genre’s fans argue that it has overtaken sungura, which has dominated the local music scene for years
.
Alick Macheso
For many fans, who are only used to seeing their favourite musicians on stage, they had the privilege to witness the artistes’ other talents on the football pitch, with some of them displaying excellent skills that could even mesmerise premier league coaches.
Under the guidance of sungura kingpin, Alick Macheso, Charles Charamba, Oliver Mtukudzi, Sulumani Chimbetu and First Farai, the sungura team featured captain and scorer Peter Moyo, hat trick hero Nicholas Chirunga, Jah Prayzah, Tendai Dembo, Tryson Chimbetu, Mabla 10 and producer, Laiton Ngolomi.
Godfather Templeman, Etherton Beenie and Killer T coached the Zimdancehall side, which featured the likes of Tocky Vibes, Jah Child (goalkeeper), Cello Culture, Seh Calaz, King Shaddy (captain), Shinsoman, Kinnah and scorers Soul Jah Love, who scored a spectacular free kick, Jay C and Seh Calaz’s former manager, Vokal.
The sungura team terrorised the Zimdancehall chanters, who failed to rise to the occasion, taking into account that most of them are young and energetic.
- 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
Popular pole dancers, Zoey Sifelani and nemesis Beverly Sibanda buried their alleged differences, as they partnered, as the sungura team’s medics.
The duo, joined by Mai Ngaa hit-maker, Freddy Manjalima, better known as Kapfupi, left fans in stitches each time the sungura side scored, with their dance celebrations.
Even Baba Sharo, as Macheso is known by his fans, would go wild with celebrations, doing the Zora Butter dance.
Among artistes, who graced the event, are Allan Chimbetu, Romeo Gasa and Sabastain Magacha.
Before the musicians’ match, scribes from the electronic and print media also traded their notebooks and pens for football boots and curtain-raised the match between newly-promoted Premiership side Ngezi Platinum Football Club and Caps United.
The new boys, who beat the Green Machine 2-0, showed they might not be push-overs when the Premier Soccer League starts in April.
The print scribes, captained by Rest Mutore, showcased brilliant touches on the field of play, with the sports reporters like Spencer Banda, Langton Nyakwenda, Mugove Chigada, Howard Musonza and Nyore Madzianike turning their football knowledge into practice.
Coached by Trust Khosa, the print media team demolished the Phathisani Sibanda-coached electronic media side 5-2, with Barney Mpariwa’s name on the score sheet for the losing team.
After the soccer fiesta, it was entertainment galore, as fans were entertained by several musicians, among them Peter Moyo and Killer T, who performed with a live band.
But before the live performance by the artistes, Templeman, representing dancehall and Ndumiso “Skywalker” Dube, for sungura, hosted the Chatsva ne Pacific Grand Final sungura versus dancehall competition, where sungura again took honours.
Speaking to NewsDay on the sidelines of the event, Partson Chimbodza of Chipaz Promotions said they want to unite artistes from different genres.
“As you know there is a lot of ‘beef’ in the dancehall genre, which we are saying must come to an end and also unite them with artistes from different genres, as a family, who are there to entertain people,” he said.
“We salute our artistes for the level of professionalism they showed today (Saturday) it is something that our partners recommend for them to continue being on board as Chipaz Charity Bhora continues to grow.”
Jah Prayzah’s manager, Keen Mushapaidze said such events brought unity among artistes, who sometimes fail to meet due to their busy schedules.
“Organising such a game (Chipaz Charity Bhora) for the artistes is a good initiative by Chipaz and his partners, as it brings unity in the music industry. All the artistes were visibly excited trying out football as opposed to spending the day in the booth,” Mushapaidze said.
“As team JP, we would like to thank Chipaz for coming up with this, as it is not only proving healthy for the artistes, but a welcome source of entertainment for the fans annually. We need more of these creative events.”
The event was held under the theme Championing own charity, with part of the proceeds to be channelled towards charities.
