By Rex Mphisa
THE highly anticipated derby match at Beitbridge pitting Dulibadzimu United and Gwanda Pirates football clubs come Sunday has sparked a bittersweet social media war between rival supporters.
Fans from both teams have taken their battle to X, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp groups where even images of graveyards and dug out grave feature as the final resting place of either.
Both teams are from Matabeleland South, a province devoid of any premiership Soccer last seen in Beitbridge, the home of Dulibadzimu in 2016.
Gwanda has not hosted any premiership football in more than four decades and the two teams sharing supporters from the vast province are third abd fourth on the ZIFA Central Region Soccer League Division One.
Gwanda which is third has 36 points and Dulibadzimu United has 33 both from 18 matches.
Dulibadzimu United, the hosts go into the match underdogs losing the first encounter to Gwanda who walloped the border side 4 – 1.
Fans from both sides are engaging in heated debates, showcasing their passion for their teams.
The social media frenzy surrounding the derby match highlights the deep-seated passion and loyalty of Beitbridge and Gwanda football fans.
Supporters are proudly declaring their team spirit, sharing team news, and predictions for the match.
The friendly rivalry between the teams is evident in light-hearted banter and humorous memes shared on social media although some fans have taken the competition to a more serious level, engaging in intense debates and criticisms.
Images borrowed from other leagues social war are flying with the battle pitch reached in a group for all CRSL supporters called Central Region Updates with close to 700 members.
A Gwanda Pirates supporter posted an image from the English Premier League of a line of people walking as if hiding in embarrassment and captioned it “DulibadImu supporters walking out of the stadium. This picture was taken on Sunday 17 August”.
Immediately a Dulibadzimu United supporter responded that walking style is synonymous with miners who form the bulk of Gwanda Pirates supporters from the mining town.
Another supporter said Gwanda would be coming 4-1 reason mocking Dulibadzimu for their first match loss.
Gwanda Pirates laughed at Dulibadzimu on X formerly Twitter saying Beitbridge was know for sandals and not Soccer laughed away by several supporters of the host team who said for four decades Gwanda has not tasted premiership football despite being just an hour from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second biggest city.
“For three different seasons we had Underhill, Triple B and Border Strikers and you would travel to Beitbridge to see Soccer, you fluked a first match victory and you believe you can win, never,” a Dulibadzimu United supporter quipped.
As the war on social media rages, Dulibadzimu supporters will see a new-look outfit after losing 12 players during the transfer window.
Some player have joined the Botswana premiership side Black Lions while others left the community outfit for well up Hardrock now facing sanction over falsification of a player document.
Dulibadzimu United FC also lost its coach Rutherford Matondo who joined Hardrock.
“We are parading new stars and we can only get better,” a technical official said.
While Shesham FC of Gweru lead the pack, all hope is not lost for teams on position two to five who can wrestle the title for promotion.
Shesham whose fixtures favour it’s home advantage have not lost a match this season but we’re held away at Dulibadzimu United.
Meanwhile the war rages on between teams of the same province who game is likely to attract many people from the province and neighbouring South Africa.