The good, the bad and the hopeless

Macheso and Sulumani

Several musicians on Sunday put up a good performance at this year's edition of the Chipaz Charity Tournament while others went literally unnoticed. The match, in which they played against yesteryear soccer legends like Peter Ndlovu, Norman Mapeza and Agent Sawu among others, had all the thrills and spills of real drama.

It was also a day of surprises and sungura musician Gulf Makina, who proved not to be only a good goalkeeper but a seasoned striker as well. Makina - whose musical credentials many fans initially questioned - became the darling of many in the stadium after he produced some brilliant saves for the artistes' team.

Makina stood in for veteran gospel musician Pastor Charles Charamba, who this year was sitting on the bench as a "super-sub" according to Partson "Chipaz" Chimbodza, the organiser of the tournament.

Makina came into match fired-up and he reminded many of the glory days of Japhet "Short Cat" Muparutsa with his acrobatic saves. On two occasions Makina had to take matters into his own hands after his team-mates had failed to break through the defence of the yesteryear soccer legends and he took the ball and dribbled his way past a wall of defenders before rushing back to his goal. This drew wild cheers from the fans and Makina repeated his antics although it almost cost him.

No wonder he was voted the man of the match as well as the goalkeeper of the tournament. Makina released his debut album "Yandaitambura" Maindisema" in 2002. Other Outstanding Players Sungura's new kid on the block - Peter Moyo - who made his maiden appearance at the charity match this year received a rapturous applause from fans who mobbed him after his fine performance on the football pitch, where he dazzled with his fancy footwork. The young artiste was one of the strikers and created a number of goalscoring opportunities.

For his performance, Peter was voted the best striker of the tournament. King Shaddy Dancehall musician King Shaddy was also one of the best players on the day and he was just a marvel to watch, supplying fellow musicians with brilliant passes. King Shaddy proved that he is just as good with a football as he is on the microphone and what a combination he had with Chimbodza, Peter and Last "Tambaoga" Chiyangwa.

Partson Chimboza. Music promoter "Chipaz", better known as "Didier Drogba", played with panache, swagger and poise. He marshalled the midfield well and was all over the pitch. 

Worst Performers. They might be good on stage and have songs that have become anthems but they could not match their musical prowess on the football pitch. Some could not kick the ball hard enough to reach the next player. If anything, some of them were so bad and it was obvious that they were just mere stamp heads on the pitch.

Alick Macheso

Although "Cheso Power" was the captain on the day, he failed to lead by example and only kicked the ball once or twice for the good 30 minutes he was on the pitch. Cheso Power must forgotten his batteries at home and his woes were compounded when he missed a glorious chance to score for his team before he was eventually substituted.

Charles Charamba

Pastor Charamba had a bad day between the sticks. When Makina was substituted to pave way for Charamba, it was clear that the move would be disastrous. The good pastor conceded two goals and his reflexes left a lot to be desired.

Leonard Zhakata

Zora musician Leonard Zhakata failed to convert a good chance after Jah Prayzah had sent in a delicious cross.First Farai, who was the darling of many in 2011 with his speed and close ball control, was just as unspiring. Hosiah Chipanga did not last long and the only contribution he made on the pitch was when he spectacularly fell chasing a pass drawing peals of laughter from the crowd.

Theatrics 

Comedian-cum-musician "Kapfupi" - real name Freddy Manjalima - never kicked the ball the entire match but had the crowd laughing their lungs out with his pranks both on and off the pitch.

Apart from lacking the skill that is generally possessed by many people who play in the boozers' league, Kapfupi even faked an injury, so that the two female medics - Sandra Ndebele and Diana Samkange - could attend to him. Another comedian, Mabla 10, also spent the better part of the day doing what he knows best - that is making people laugh. (Herald)