Checheche boys who have become men
A GROUP of seven people — two women and five men — make their way into the refurbished Green Fuel Stadium. They are the early birds.
The excitement is palpable.
All of them are downing some opaque beer. This is the second day they are going to be watching Premier Soccer League action at the venue.
Of course, they were part of the proceedings when this arena hosted its first-ever top-flight match when Green Fuel beat Sheasham 1-0 on September 9.
But this hot Saturday afternoon is very special for them, as it is also for many others from Checheche.
Relegation-threatened Simba Bhora are visiting Rodwell Dhlakama’s side.
They could be the second victims of the Chipinge-born tactician, who has declared his intentions to turn this stadium into a fortress.
Green Fuel-branded buses and vehicles are busy.
They are ferrying fans — young and old, including mothers with babies strapped on their backs — to the stadium.
Football is uniting the community, thanks to the efforts of club chairperson Fredson Moyo.
Everyone is clad in Green Fuel colours and it appears Simba Bhora are in a lions’ den.
Somehow, the Shamva-based side is closer to the hearts of many in Checheche and Chisumbanje.
It is home to two of the boys who hail from the area — Luke Musikiri and Stephen Chatikobo.
They actually attended Checheche Primary School before they switched to Prince Edward School in Harare on football scholarships.
The two women in that group of early birds are their mothers — Jessina Chatikobo and Sarudzai Musikiri.
Widowed well before their sons made it big in football, they both survive on vending at Checheche Growth Point.
The two footballers used to help them with vending when they were still going to school.
Accompanying the two special women in this community are Thulani and Tichaona Chatikobo, who are Stephen’s siblings.
Also present are Mike Muranganwa, Shadreck Muza and Farai Munyanyi, who are childhood friends of the young professional footballers.
“I support Green Fuel. It’s our own team in this community. Our prayer is to see them survive relegation this season and challenge for trophies next term,” said Jessina.
“But for today, I am rooting for Simba Bhora. That’s where my son is employed. I wish to see them win.
“Stephen is my breadwinner, and my life has changed for the better, thanks to his selflessness.
“I wish him all the best in his career. I raised him single-handedly and my wish is to see him grow into a very big player capable of playing in the European leagues.
“Raising him was one of the toughest undertakings in my life. He needed a passport due to his talent, he needed school fees, he needed more food than his siblings.
“I thank God because he was also a very hardworking young boy, who would do piece jobs and also help me in my vending business. “Naturally, I want to see him win.” At kick-off, the 5 000-seater stadium is packed to the rafters and the noise from the home side drowns sounds of the colourful Simba Bhora brass band.
On the field, Simba Bhora’s coach Tonderai Ndiraya has done his homework.
Chatikobo is on the bench and Musikiri is sidelined due to injury.
Tymon Machope — a new boy playing only his seventh match for Simba Bhora, having arrived from a farmers’ league in July — is on fire.
As the guests pin down their hosts, Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo slaloms at the byline, squares the ball and Machope arrows it home with a first-time shot.
Simba Bhora are in control, with that onegoal cushion carrying them to the break.
On resumption, Green Fuel are threatening to draw level.
Ndiraya looks over his shoulder and signals for Chatikobo to prepare to come on.
The whole stadium explodes, as they want him on the turf as soon as possible.
They call him Xavi after the legendary Spanish player, Xavi Hernandez.
For them, he is the ultimate dribbler and one of the most complete footballers on the local scene.
Ishmael Nyanhi paves the way for Chatikobo and, for once, the Simba Bhora brass band is in agreement with the Green Fuel fans.
Chatikobo, deployed on the right wing, makes an instant impact with his deft first touch, which wrongfoots Green Fuel left-back Honest Moyo.
And from then, the script never changed as he combines with Manenji for the visitors’ second goal.
Chatikobo is unplayable and in one of the routine moves, he slices past Moyo twice before delivering a perfect cross that Alexander Mandinyenya converts to seal the points.
Ordinarily, the goal would have silenced all the Green Fuel fans but others chose to celebrate with their homeboy.
“This is good for Chisumbanje and Checheche,” said 48-year-old Mukai Marange.
“We would have wanted to see Green Fuel win this match but that wouldn’t have been good for our boy.
“Look, Green Fuel do not have any player from our community. So, we were simply charmed to see a boy who grew up here coming back and influencing a win for his team.”
Chatikobo and Musikiri are some of the best prospects to emerge from this remote area.
They were partly mentored at Chawira Academy, where the founder, Sailas Chawira, had to convince their parents, including Musikiri’s mother, to support their dream.
“To be honest, I never wanted to see my child play football. But Chawira kept on pressing me,” said Musikiri’s mother, Sarudzai.
“I am now proud to be a mother of one of the players in the Premiership. Of course, I didn’t get to witness him play against Green Fuel but to have seen Chatikobo in action made us proud. These two have not only made it in football but they have also reinforced our relationship as their mothers.”
For 20-year-old Gilbert Marasha, seeing Chatikobo playing in the elite league inspires him.
“I am a budding footballer at Chawira Academy. I wish to be as successful as Chatikobo and Musikiri.
“We have role models in these guys and everyone here is working hard to emulate them,” he said.