Musicians face soccer stars in charity match

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

HARARE – This Sunday, a match pitting musicians against soccer legends will take place at Rufaro Stadium in a game that will see the likes of gospel diva Fungisai Zvakavapano playing against Peter Ndlovu.

The musicians’ line-up includes Suluman Chimbetu, Victor Kunonga, Bob Nyabinde, Baba Charamba, Kapfupi, Patson Chimbodza of Chipaz Promotion, First Farai, Jazz 105 boss Josh Hozheri, Tanga Wekwa Sando, Hosiah Chipanga, Oliver Mtukudzi and Roderick Chomudhara.

Sandra Ndebele will be assisting on the technical side while Barbra Chikosi aka Mama Red Rose will be team manager.

On the other hand, the soccer legends’ line up is fierce and includes real talent to come out of Zimbabwe: Ndlovu, Moses Chunga, Stix Mtizwa, Brenna Msiska, Rahman Gumbo, Nesbert Saruchera, Norman Mapeza, John Phiri, Agent Sawu and Willard Khumalo.

The match is bound to be mainly entertaining but Hozheri assured spectators of serious football that would see the soccer legends being trounced on the field.

Last year, soccer legends beat musicians five goals to two. The two goals were scored by Hozheri and First Farai.

“The tables are going to turn this year, we will beat the soccer legends,” Hozheri said without explaining how much the musicians had trained.

Chimbodza said the charity soccer match is meant to raise funds for Junior Soccer Development and for the struggling musician Freddy Chimombe who is the son to the late great James Chimombe.

The younger Chimombe has hit hard times with failing health. He is currently living under squalid conditions at Hopley Farm in Harare.

It will be interesting to watch the match at Rufaro Stadium between those truly gifted in song and football.

Most followers of showbiz news would know that recently there has been a skirmish between talented musicians Sulu and Macheso over the exodus of musicians from Zorai Butter musician to the other.

Will Macheso pass the ball to Sulu?

A local weekly reported that those that attended Tongai Moyo’s memorial service will know that the self-styled prince of sungura, First Farai, promised to use this opportunity to settle his outstanding issues with the self-proclaimed prophet-cum-musician Hosiah Chipanga.

How Farai intends to settle his score is a mystery, and one has to be at Rufaro on the day to find out.

A match between print and broadcasting journalists would be the curtain raiser. Print journalists will certainly overwhelm the broadcasters this year in a first-win in five years.

Matches between Highfield United and Chunga Arcadians and one between CAPS United and Motor Action would also be curtain raisers before the main match.

According to Chipaz, fans will pay US$2 for the rest of the ground and US$5 for the VIP.

The day would certainly be filled with entertainment as Chipaz said musicians will perform during and after the match.

He however said despite it being a charity match the game would also foster relations between musicians and the media.

“This charity match is in its fifth year. It is meant for social interaction between the media and musicians because often enough there is no physical interaction.”

“This allows us to know each other better for the improvement of both our professions.”

To jazz things up before and after the match on Saturday night and Sunday, Jazz 105 will provide pre and after parties with Jabavu Drive.


An interesting feature will be a jam session featuring soccer legends on the microphone, this will probably be a way to get back at soccer legends for the field showing. Anyway it will be good, imagine Chunga belting out legendary tunes.