Zimbabwe/South Africa: Dynamos to Face Pirates

Augustine Hwata

28 June 2011

HARARE giants Dynamos are set to take on South African Premiership champions Orlando Pirates in a friendly match on Saturday that will once again stoke the flames for the bragging rights between the leagues on either side of the Limpopo River.

The Ubuntu Calabash charity match is set for the Rand Stadium and is being organised by the Southern Africa Women’s Institute for Migration Affairs, Migrants Community Board of South Africa and the City of Johannesburg.

The charity game is part of the campaign against the xenophobic attacks that have been rocking South Africa.

Last week about 28 Zimbabweans sought refuge at Seshongo Police Station while reports also indicated that over 1 000 went into hiding in the Limpopo Province.

Highlanders were invited to play Jomo Cosmos in the same event last year.

Bosso held Jomo Cosmos to a goalless draw in the first leg, which attracted more than 30 000 predominantly Highlanders’ fans, while Jomo Sono’s side won the reverse fixture at Barbourfields a month later.

The tournament also saw the signing of a twinning agreement between the two sides.

Joyce Dube, a director with SAWIMA, yesterday told the media in South Africa that everything was now set for the high-profile friendly.

“I can confirm that Pirates and Dynamos will play in this year’s Ubuntu Calabash match, which is on Saturday, July 2.

“I therefore call on Africans, not only supporters of the two teams, but all those whose dream is to see a united Africa, to come and be part of this noble cause,” said Dube.

The South African champions are using the match as part of their preparations for the 2011/2012 Premiership season.

Dynamos yesterday sent a letter to PSL chief executive Kenny Ndebele requesting permission to travel to South Africa.

“Dynamos Football Club has been invited to Johannesburg to play a soccer match against Orlando Pirates Football Club of the Republic of South Africa on Saturday, 2nd July 2011, at Rand Stadium at 1500hrs,” read their letter.

“The details of the match are contained in the letter of invitation herein attached.

“Dynamos Football Club cordially asks for permission to travel to South Africa and play the said soccer match for a worthy cause,” said the letter from the club.

Ubuntu Calabash said in their letter on Saturday outlining their programme.

“The game is confirmed for the 2nd of July 2011 at Rand Stadium from 3pm, featuring your team Dynamos FC against Orlando Pirates FC,” read the letter.

“Other than football, there is going to be cultural events and speeches advocating for no to racism, no to xenophobia and no to afrophobia.

“Orlando Pirates is a leading figure in African football, so is Dynamos FC, and in Johannesburg, Pirates and Dynamos support and participation will go a long way in building bridges between us as a people.”

The organisers said they will cater for:

Flights for Dynamos, crew of 30 people, with the team departing Harare on Friday and returning to Harare on Sunday.

As agreed, after the game, an amount of R90 000 will be paid to the team. The team should indicate the method of payment of this money.

The crew will be booked at a hotel, sleeping over on Friday and Saturday night.

Upon arrival in Joburg on Friday, 1 June 2011, the team will undertake the following (a) short promotional tour in Joburg CBD for promotion of game (b) training session at Rand Stadium.”

“We look forward to your team’s participation and your assistance in our campaign to raise awareness and debate about why South Africa and Africa and the world do not need xenophobia.”

The invitation for Dynamos comes just a few days after the club took their countdown for the Golden Jubilee to China through sports consultant Shepherd Chiware.

Former Zimbabwe international and Orlando Pirates player Engelbert Dinha is also relishing the chance to feature as a guest player during the match at the Rand Stadium.

“I think it’s a good idea in that we recognise the contribution of foreign players in our league. I have played against the likes of Albert Bwalya and we have to stick together as Africans.

“It is important to recognise the role of football as a unifying factor.

“As a former player I would like to encourage all the local supporters to rally behind this initiative.

“Its main aim is to fight xenophobia and spread the spirit of oneness among Africans, especially those living in South Africa.

“I also want to thank Show Me Your Number for their efforts in supporting ex-professionals and the role they played in putting together this match,” said former Bafana Bafana star Thabang Lebese.

The PSL chief executive Ndebele yesterday hinted that Dynamos were likely to get the greenlight from Zifa to play in South Africa.

Dynamos are expected to play Chicken Inn to wrap up their first round games at the weekend but the coming of the Cosafa Women’s Championship to Zimbabwe has created problems with venues.

The women’s champions will be played at Gwanzura and Rufaro, two venues the PSL had been using for their Premiership games.

Ndebele said matches outside Harare are expected to go ahead as planned while Gunners will play CAPS United at Lafarge on Saturday.

“We have the tried to spread the games because the venues – Rufaro and Gwanzura – will be used for the women’s championship.

“It will not be possible to have league games but we have spread them to Monday. We have also sorted out that Dynamos will play on Wednesday,” said Ndebele.

Ndebele said they cannot afford to postpone the Castle Lager Premiership because of the women’s championship because the move will create a backlog of their fixtures.

“On the weekend of July 9, we have the BancABC matches, and then we should also start the reverse fixtures for the league. Literally we are not going to have a break because we intend to finish the games by the end of November,” said Ndebele.

AllAfrica – All the Time