The recent decision by midfield talisman Masimba Mambare to ditch contact negotiations with the Bulawayo giants and immediately sign for their perennial Harare rivals made headlines and stimulated raging debate on Facebook.
After a daily publication called him a “traitor” in announcing his move, fans took to the social network to express themselves – some dancing to the newspaper’s tune, while others differed as they presented a case for the player who helped take Bosso from an embarrassing ninth place finish on the log three seasons ago, to a point within winners Dynamos in the last two seasons.
Media reports suggested that the Bulawayo giants still owed Mambare money in his signing-on fees for the two seasons he traded leather for the club, but to some of the Bosso fans, all that was not enough a reason for the former Motor Action man to join Dynamos, of all the teams.
To them, it did not matter that Highlanders had made a blunder by failing to offer Mambare a new contract with at least a season remaining or that Dynamos could have – as they always do, presented a better offer than the Bulawayo giants. It also did not matter that when Highlanders were mauled 4-0 away to Harare City and lost 0-1 to Dynamos at home, the same fans turned against Mambare and called for him and other players from outside Matabeleland to leave Bosso.
They also seemed to have forgotten that they booed the same player for more than three games, ignoring even a public plea from Bosso head Coach Kevin Kaindu to show some compassion.
But there were many who believed that Mambare made a good “business decision” to leave for better remuneration and others who believed that he made a good “tribal decision” to join a club whose supporters would judge him according to how he performed, not where he came from and on what language he spoke.
What the fans said on Mambare’s departure:
“People will hate me for this, but the truth hurts. Two gone, more to follow. For a top club to have more than half of their squad out of contract is just asking for trouble. Highlanders need to be managed more properly. It’s OUR fault that we ended up in this mess. How can we have top players leave for FREE? This is just the beginning Diya (Munyaradzi), Rio (Peter Moyo) and Milito (Milton Ncube) are all out of contract and by football laws, they are free to talk to anyone and go anywhere they want without telling Bosso anything.” – Nqaba Donga.
“Let him go, we don’t need him in our team. We will be better without him. He loved DeMbare more than the club that paid him every month. We did the best we could for him and as for me, I am happy that he is gone. I will not miss him even a second.” – Mlungisi Tshabalala.
“Bosso was there before this Mambare. It cannot fail or be relegated just because one guy has left. NO! Mambare or not, we still fly the Bosso flag through thick and thin. Phambili nge Bosso (forward with Bosso). Hamba Mambare akulasikhathi sokuncengana lawe (go Mambare, we don’t have time to plead with you).” – Sinqotshiwe Sibanda.
“Angasake aphume unyawo uMambare engenelisi futhi ukudlala isoccer empilweni yakhe ngumthengisi period (I wish Mambare could break his leg and never play soccer again because he is a traitor). Uzongixolela Xoe (forgive me Xoe) that’s how I feel about him at the moment.” – Talent Nkomo
“Mxoe the issue is not uhambeleni (why he left) for Dembare but how he did it. Bahamba (we lost) Malajila, Magents, Arubi and compony but akubanga ndaba zalutho (we did not mind) because bahamba kuhle, yena wenze njengesiphukuphuku (but he left in a bitter way) no-one was going to force him to stay.” – Patrick Langwana.
“I see it strange for Bosso people to give Masimba Mambare all sorts of nicknames after he made a wise business decision in his footballing carrier, as if Masimba was their son from their junior policy. If my memory serves me well, he went there only two years ago to assist them, which he did zvatakaona tese (as we all saw). Having called him all sorts of names, Masimba must make them pay by scoring against them if given a chance to play. Welcome home Masimba Dembare Mambare. We will definitely give you a standing ovation on your debut match. All the best.” – Ronald Mujuru.
“I feel for Masimba Mambare. Being labelled a ‘TRAITOR’ after signing for Dynamos? My dictionary tells me that a traitor is someone who betrays one’s country, a cause, or a trust, especially one who commits treason. Not at the usual back page, but the front? God help us!” – Chichi Sabeta.
Post published in: Football
Couldn’t be written any better. Reading this post reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!