ZIMBABWE cricket captain Richard Ngarava and The Bigger Picture Brass Band (brass band) leader Paul Mungofa have moved to put a heated few days behind them, both calling on supporters to rally together behind the Chevrons rather than let a moment of on-field frustration divide the fanbase.
The episode began during the second ODI against Bangladesh at Harare Sports Club, when a brass band performing next to the Castle Corner stand was allegedly blamed for drowning out an edge that went unheard by the umpires. In the heat of the moment, Ngarava turned to the band and asked them to stop playing, a plea that quickly became the talk of Zimbabwean cricket.
But rather than let the moment fester, Ngarava was quick to make amends.
"To the brass band and all the cricket fans, I would like to apologise for what I said to the brass band during the game yesterday (Thursday)," Wrote Ngarava on his X handle.
"Thank you for the passion and support you show us every time, makati koshera. Let's keep the positive energy going."
Mungofa, for his part, accepted the apology in the spirit it was intended and used the moment to champion the broader cause of grassroots support for the national team.
"The band is like CAB#3, you can't stop it no matter what," he said, with a smile in his tone.
"It's a movement of people, considering every country you go, bigger nations that play cricket, you find they have several bands."
His message, ultimately, was one of inclusion.
"There's no one who owns the ground. It's for everyone to walk in and support, we need this kind of support. Even zvinyau can come and support the team. Traditional dancers can come and support the team. Anyone who feels they want to support the team can come and rally behind the team."
Mungofa was clear that there was no room for rivalry among Zimbabwe's different supporter groups.
"We mustn't have this kind of attitude of discrimination against one another, our own Zimbabwean xenophobia in terms of supporting cricket. Let's rally behind the Chevrons and support the team no matter what banner of supporters you may belong to."
He also stressed that the band's presence at Harare Sports Club has always been conducted properly.
"We are doing things the rightful way, everything is done above board, so encourage our players by supporting them. Let's not go behind others' backs, creating fictitious things to curry favour with the players."
With both captain and band leader now speaking with one voice, the episode looks set to become a footnote rather than a lasting rift, a reminder, if anything, of just how much passion Zimbabwean fans bring to the Chevrons' cause.
As the team continues its home season, now with the T20Is against Bangladesh in Bulawayo, both men made clear the goal remains the same: full stands, full voices, and full support for the national team.