Sports

The fan frenzy in a disappointing day

YESTERDAY’s Chevrons defeat can be best described as one of the greatest disappointments in Zimbabwe’s sporting history and will take a long time to heal.

Scotland have put in one foot to qualifying for the World Cup in India With due respect to the Scots, the win was not expected of them. In fact, Zimbabwe had the obvious odds to make it through following their impressive wins on the trot and on road to the Super Six.

All the same, the scoreboard read the Scots had won by 31 runs. Few, if not none of the Chevrons supporters had a glimpse of the screen beaming the outcome.

Head down, mumbling what could have been words of disgruntlement, they made their way out of Queens Sports Club. The queues on the exit were much quicker than they were getting in and parting with hard earned “little” cash hoping to come out happy.

Disappointments were written all over their faces as they headed home, to the bar or back to work.

By all standards, the match was well attended given it was on a Tuesday. Cricket fans in Bulawayo sacrificed their time, some even leaving their work stations to attend the match. Some had to forgo house chores to support of the national team.

Bulawayo wanted to have the brag as being the “boundary” that sets the Chevrons as champions. It was never to be. The local fans wanted it and so did the whole country.

From the first ball, the Queens Sports Club was already filled with what are “truly” followers of the gentleman’s game. In numbers they occupied their place in an atmosphere of excitement.

Clad in the Zimbabwe flag colours, they cheered the team throughout, rising in the disappointments of run-outs, the songs were chanted in unison raising the spirit of cricket.

It was a loss received “gentlemanly”.

In the mix to watch the fall of the Chevrons was former Highlanders FC chairman Kenneth Mhlophe, whose support for the national team deserves mention. Another face in the hall of fame of sport administration was Basketball Union of Zimbabwe president Joe Mujuru.

Chicken Inn gaffer Joey Antipas had also become a familiar figure at Bulawayo’s ceremonial home of cricket.

Not to be outdone were the Castle Corner patrons, who showed mature behaviour and set an example of how to make easy on the wise waters and see through a game.

In the duration of the game, spectators would let up on the tongue and have a taste of many dishes availed at various points that were so convenient.

It was a family affair on the “tree side” shades where fans watched on camp chairs and waved the beauty of the country’s flag.

Notably, after a good 40 minutes after the match was done, there was a group of fans who waited to see the teams out. Crying out for their beloved Sikandar Raza, they were received by Richard Ngarava for autographs. It was momentous.

-chronicle

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