9 November 2006, by Munyaradzi Makoni in Harare - At times it beats me how the whole nation can go crazy, completely losing their heads over 22 men chasing a ball around a field for ninety minutes. That is soccer for you. And now the fear and fever gripping the nation is more acute, Zimbabwe is tottering with the arithmetics of chasing the leather product correctly to qualify for the elite group of Africa Cup of Nations that will meet in Ghana next year. It is just another day in the soccer stands.
You can imagine the boundless energy and athletic theatrics of supporting soccer that have been stored in people"s hearts for the past two decades. Only a few can dispute it, even Zimbabwe"s qualification to participate in the last two competitions was not enough to drain the stored excitement in people"s hearts. Be assured, its all going to spill over in the next few months and we are going to witness even more 'madness" because of this competition. But, does it really matter.

Madness

Yes it does, ask Charles Mabika, the veteran Zimbabwean soccer commentator, who stares in astonishment when you ask him the question as if it matters if the sun comes out tomorrow - and launches into a three - hour dissertation on the joys of watching 22 men chasing a ball amid wild cheering from supporters. No it"s far from madness, he will tell you. It"s the stuff that life"s worth living for.
Talking to fanatical soccer supporters testifies to the fact that it can be a past time mildly verging into insanity. You temporarily forget that tomorrow you have to walk to work because you have used all your cash to the game and celebrate afterwards, and now don"t have enough money for bus fare. For a few minutes you forget the nightmare of ever changing prices of goods and services or where you are going to buy your next bag of mealie meal.

Heros

They call it a 'beautiful" game. I will not mention its ugly face but only delve on how the game has become so beautiful on and off the pitch. And how it can make old men and women transform into sprightly youth when it comes to supporting their team, dancing and forgetting themselves in joyful abandon.
Do not forget that since time immemorial the game has made its heroes (never heard about the heroines). To mention a few, there has been the legend Pele, the temperamental Diego Maradona, the unpredictable Paul Gasgoine, our own sleek but now in twilight zone Peter Ndlovu, the ever-smiling Ronaldino, fashionable David Beckham and, of course the playmaker Zinedine Zidane. They have had the world at their feet in their time and immensely contributed to the colourful carnival of soccer.
Besides paying more money than they often have there is another degree of madness that often goes with soccer loving fans. Fashion. Forget about elegant models who wear designer clothes mostly to market their wares. This is not the time to think of the late Versace or posthumous imitations of his work.
Never talk of fancy hairstyles that cost thousands of dollars to adorn. For them the niceties of the world of haute couture do not matter at all. Some do not even bath when they are going to a soccer match. Sweating makes the fun greater. Others will be mobile beer halls, red eyed and reeking alcohol.

Vibrant

They hail from Makokoba, Mtapa, Mbare, Sakubva, Mbizo, Mucheke, Chikonohono or Chipadze in Bindura. These are the less moneyed soccer lovers who scramble for a few dollars to watch the world"s most 'beautiful game". The vibrant display of colour and fashion is their tool to hide and forget life"s everyday miseries.
I saw it for myself when Zimbabwe played Angola in a few months ago in the COSAFA Cup. They came in their thousands, draped in all forms of regalia. There were men wearing brassieres in the colours of Zimbabwe flag. There were others wiggling their brightly coloured tummies. World-class singers who only turn professional during soccer matches. (Be warned: never attend the matches with your in-laws or your wife, the musicians can get really foul mouthed). You would never know that your timid and humble neighbours are accomplished performers until you them in 'action" at a soccer match. Some become bald headed and painted specifically for the event. You see others wearing only shorts without shirts displaying a riot of colour on their torsos. One question that pricked my mind though was did their wives allow them to come to the match like that, or did they adorn themselves once they left home in some seedy alley way or in a corner crowded bus terminal.
It seems there is no hold barred when it comes to soccer because, after all, it"s justified madness. And it"s the same whenever the fans head out for a soccer match. It"s amazing how watching 22 professional men chasing a ball can easily turn people into clowns.
Now that we are perspiring to sing "Good morning Accra" just how fashion crazy will the supporters get. Their ability is well documented.
But performing on an African grand stage will definitely raise the tempo of style and fashion. I hope the degree of madness will not lose direction, but I would bet my lat dollar that face and tummy painters, scarf knitters, t-shirt manufactures and flag makers will make a killing. Whether people can make a killing or not, sacrifices are bound to be made. It is a crazy world of football, people are caught up in the moment, and soccer is fast turning into one of the most actively pursued forms of worship in Zimbabwe.  
                        
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