By Rex Mphisa
UNDERDOGS Dulibadzimu United FC may not have won against Blanket Mine FC but did restore faith in the hearts of its fans after pulling the rug off Blanket Mine FC in a Zifa Central Region Soccer League match on a cold Wednesday.
Much credit goes to the Chrispen Kaurimbo led executives who went back to basics.
They did enough to prepare the home team showing matches are never won on the fied of play alone.
What could easily have been a one sided match for the log leaders turned to be a gruelling journey in Beitbridge’s ceremonial home of football, Dulivhadzimu Stadium.
Proper administration and not “Maskobodo” (the team’s celebrated dancing fans) alone does the trick.
Throughout the 90 minutes, Dulis exhibited remarkable character and never took eyes off the ball much to the joy of the small crowd of hopeful supporters.
Project manager at Dulis Clement “Big” Mabhidhi said as early as 4am call were being made in match preparations and by 11 am it was all systems go.
“By 1pm the warm up was underway and when we eventually got into the match all players were ready. Credit goes to all backroom staff for a coordinated approach,” he said.
Reacting hot in all departments, Dulis matched Blanket man for man and even better but the whistle happy referee not spoilt the fun, visitors would have walked away wounded.
Blowing at every turn, like a drummer at a Ngororombe Dance (a traditional Shona panpipe dance and musical style from Zimbabwe) the man in the centre took away many advantages by blowing for foul where he could have waved on.
This took the sting off many attacks and threatening build-ups against an ordinary Blanket Mine.
Several times the crowd roared in disapproval when he referee happened.
Coming from a 1 – 4 drubbing at the hands of lowly Shurugwi, Dulis could have been massacred by the leaders Blanket.
But tall and rocking steady defenders in Ronaldinho Muleya and Tinotenda Jacob Kaurimbo signed from social soccer side Soccer Sunday Reloaded were a handful, thwarting aerial and ground moves at will.
Anyone new in the stadium would have thought Dulis was the feared Blanket Mine!
And that Dulis did not win is a story difficult to explain after those numerous second half crosses passed the goalmouth begging.
At the back newly signed goalkeeper Majuru’s confidence, strong arms behind the ball and service gave supporters and his teammates some joy.
In the centre newboy Denford made a good combination with skipper Muzezani. Denford never put a foot wrong and repaid for the trust coaches had in him.
The Dulis team is steady and come back boy “Mr” Ndou aka Bile-bile kept surprising the crowd attacking from the left.
Was this the return of Dulibadzimu United and the glory days?
It seems, the executive sorted what remains is the toxic administration of the Supporters group.
Dulibadzimu United is urged to rid itself of poisonous harmful executives of its 12th player, the supporters currently led by people happy to eject others from the team and at times make money using the team’s name.
Several people have been unilaterally taken out of the Dulibadzimu United supporters Whatsapp Group by a “power hungry and nothing to do” executive the team does not need.
The vulgar-happy people remain the blemish on a team on its recovery from the cemetery of soccer.
But with the players having received their draw bonus, something the past executive could not do, glory days are nigh.