shloboe boe
Lovemore Dube, lovemore.dube@chronicle.co.zw
Adios Ariel Sibanda!
Venue: Bulawayo Golf Club
Date: 16 December 2024
Time: 1830 Hours
Dress Code: Black and White, Strictly Black Tie and White Shirt
MC: Andrew Tapela
The room is packed and has a good racial mix. Ariel Sibanda is sitting at the front tables with what seems to be his family, wife/fiancé.
His eyes wide open as the Premier Soccer League’s most offensive side, Ngezi Platinum are attacking the Bosso final third. Some of the people in his entourage appear to have dropped off from rural Plumtree and seemingly overawed by the occasion, save for the odd white guy they have met at the mission pulpit and clinic, they are actually in disbelief they are in the same room with over 30 of them mingling freely.
Such is the beauty of the game: It brings people together from different racial, ethnic, religious and political backgrounds.
Another table has ZPC Hwange’s Gerald Ndlovu entourage from Nambya-speaking Hwange District.
There are stories of being nervy written all over, especially his elderly female relatives.
It appears some may be in Bulawayo for the first time or conversing in either English or Ndebele is going to be difficult.
About a dozen of Ndlovu’s former teammates at ZPC Hwange and Hwange FC are present and putting on suits for the first time.
It does not seem a habit to put on formal dinner wear to some.
Highlanders occupy four tables of 10 people and there is one with Peter Muduhwa and he is sitted directly opposite Wellington Agrippa Sibanda.
There are members from the present team and some former stars in the room, perhaps the reason why Wellington is in the house.
On Muduhwa’s back there is another table, this one everyone is stopping to greet and take selfies with.
Sitted there is Douglas Mloyi, seemingly the source of the noise as on his table people are laughing at the jokes he is cracking.
Muduhwa and Wellington have people laughing their lungs out too as they have turned comedians.
Some are saying there is something amiss, Cosmas Zulu is not there.
In a flash, heads are raised as he walks in literally disrupting MC Andrew Tapela who is calling the house to order. After a few pleasantries with those on his way, Zulu finds his reserved seat and loudly declares he is the smartest dressed in the room defying the dress code of the day. He is dressed to kill in well-matching gear but as colourful as Papa Wemba and Wireless Zimba.
“I am the smartest, no one can match me, even my young boy Zenzo Moyo there, as for the journalists, they will put on suits for three days, and the next day they will be at flea markets looking for giveaways to try and keep pace with the only man who dreams in colour,” Zulu has the house in stitches.
Tapela takes charge
Tapela: “Ladies and Gentlemen, today is a different day for the owners and members of the club. Some are pleasantly surprised with what is going on here. We are gathered here on Ariel Sibanda’s Testimonial Dinner.”
It is the first of its kind, let me say in recent years, and though I hear something was done for George Shaya in 1980 and Amos Rendo at Lwendulu Hall in December of 1982.
Friends of the History and Legacy Trust in Football have put this together and have set the ball rolling for similar events around the country.
It is indeed my honour to stand before you and MC at a novel event like this one. He wipes tears from his eyes, as flashes of the past 15 years which have brought Bosso cup triumphs and four Goalkeeper of the Year awards that Sibanda has won.
It is Ariel’s testimonial evening and in the afternoon there was a match between Bosso and ZPC Hwange with proceeds shared at 70 percent for Ariel Sibanda and 30 percent going to Gerald Ndlovu whose event is following on 23 December. The Bulawayo City Council and other organisations that feast on Bosso crowds, have stunned the football community by agreeing all proceeds will go to the players so that they have something substantial as they walk out of their clubs.
In no time Tapela gives the microphone and floor to the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe. The organisation’s president Desmond Maringwa receives a standing ovation as he walks to the front.
“Beautiful Bulawayo people how are you, TP (Tapela) all protocol observed. Today marks a landmark beginning for retiring players. Rarely have players been given this honour, where — T-shirts are produced, a fun run, a farewell match and a dinner with all proceeds going to the retiring legend of the game. I pray it is the last time a player just disappears without a goodbye from a club or football family. Ariel and Gerald, with over 32 years of Premiership experience between them, have been great ambassadors of the game and their clubs.
“We would like to thank the clubs and those that have put this together. I hope every retiring player will be treated to this. I am however disappointed not to see those from the Sports Commission, Zifa Normalisation Committee and candidates for next year’s elections. Former players are so much part of the game’s ecosystem, support us through our lives and help us venture into the future with a bit in the bank.
“I am happy the match raised US$4 321, the bash at the clubhouse US$1 203, even artists volunteered to play for free because they liked Ariel and Bosso, golf has netted US$11 435, it may not be much, but we would like to thank everyone who contributed even a penny towards the two legends retiring from their clubs. Both have whispered to me they are leaving their present clubs and may have an extra dance with the game if right offers come their way.”
“Please this gesture will buy long service and loyalty for your players Highlanders and ZPC Hwange. Many clubs will emulate your gesture.”
I must have been dreaming. But what is true is that Ariel Sibanda has been at Highlanders since 2009 and has been a vital component of the team and deserves better even on his rumoured move to Scottland.
His awards are a testament to his quality and undisputed position as among the best goalminders to play for Highlanders in a list that Ananias Dube, Bruce Grobbelaar, Peter Nkomo, Tapuwa Kapini and Washington Arubi.
mbulelo smpofu
