Dynamos Football Club recently found itself at the center of controversy, with rumors circulating that the club had sought the services of a sangoma to influence the outcome of their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) match against long-standing rivals Highlanders.
The match, held on Sunday, July 14th at Rufaro Stadium, ended in a 0-2 defeat for Dynamos, fueling speculation about their purported reliance on traditional spiritual practices.
The allegations suggested that Dynamos had paid $1,000 to a sangoma in a bid to secure victory in what is considered one of the most significant fixtures in the local premiership. Such claims quickly gained traction, prompting a strong response from the club.
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On Thursday, July 18th, Dynamos issued an official statement vehemently denying any involvement with a sangoma for the match against Highlanders or any other league games. The club emphasized its commitment to scientific methods and modern training regimens, asserting that these are the foundations of their preparation for matches.
The statement read:
Dynamos Football Club would like to distance the Club from the alleged enlisting of the services of a sangoma ahead of the Battle of Zimbabwe Part 2 match between Dynamos and Highlanders played on Sunday 14th July 2024 at Rufaro Stadium and in any of our league matches that we play. The Club would like to state the following:
1. The Club believes that football is scientific and as such all our energy is directed towards the application of scientific methods.
2. The engagement of a sangoma, if any, was never done by the Club as such practices would violate the varied spiritual beliefs held by our players. The Club is alive to the Constitution of Zimbabwe which provides for freedom of conscience which includes freedom of thought, opinion, religion or belief. Therefore the Club can not impose or violate the rights of it’s players by engaging a sangoma.
3. Investing in Iron Age practices in this day and age would inhibit the growth of the Club and as such the Club would always strive to embrace modern football practices.
The club’s denial aimed to dispel any doubts about their approach to football and to reaffirm their adherence to contemporary methods.
However, the controversy brought to light historical anecdotes and beliefs within the sport. In 2017, former Dynamos captain Memory Mucherahowa told the BBC that the club had encouraged the use of juju during his tenure, adding that as captain, it was his duty to ensure these rituals were followed. He remarked:
I’m not saying juju works but it was part of football when I was playing and I’m sure it’s part of football even today.
