Bev to feature in charity match

DANCER Beverly Sibanda is expected to feature as a medic when musicians play against soccer legends in a charity match to be held at Rufaro Stadium on January 26.

Although another sensational dancer, Sandra Ndebele, raised the heat among fellow musicians when together with Diana Samkange she played the role of medic for fellow musicians, this year,  the temperature is most likely to reach boiling point among many musicians who will without doubt feign injury just to be attended to by Beverly.

As was witnessed last year, many a musician sent the crowd into stitches when they pretended to have been injured just to have Sandy attending to them.

It remains to be seen how Bev will fare on the football pitch far removed from the stage where she is famous for her sensational dance moves.

Bev's availability at this year fund-raising match was revealed by her manager, Harpers Mapimhidze, who represented her at a pre-match event held at Rufaro Stadium last Friday to unveil the teams that will be clashing on the day.

"This year, Bev will be coming in as the medic. Right now, she has gone to South Africa to buy new stage costume for her group members," confided Mapimhidze.

Meanwhile, Partson Chimbodza of Chipaz Promotions, the organisers of the charity match, announced that there would be eight teams at this year's showcase.

"The eight teams will in this order: the Print media will play against the electronic media, then Mbada Diamonds will play the Parliamentarians. Dynamos and Black Rhinos - who have been part of this match for two years now - will curtain-raise for the main match of the day which will pit the musicians' team against that of the soccer legends.

"We hope that the event will become a success and we encourage other sponsors and stakeholders from all over the country to come on board to be part of this worthy cause," Chimbodza said.

He proceeds from the charity match will be channelled towards assisting musician Tedius Matsito who had one of his legs amputated, the needy as well as promoting junior soccer.

James Chiyangwa, the director of Housing and Community Services in the Harare City Council, hailed the charity match as a noble idea that went a long way in assisting musicians and the community at large.

"We are excited to be part and parcel of this programme. It is the responsibility of this city to provide entertainment for its citizens but sometimes we are unable to do so and in that vein we invite the corporate world to come and fill in that gap.

"The city has always seen it fit to support this noble cause by Chipaz and for the second year running, we will donate proceeds to your noble programme. We would also like to thank the sponsors Goltech for supporting this initiative," Chiyangwa said.

Speaking on behalf musicians, dancehall artiste Guspy Warrior and man of the moment Jah Prayzah thanked Chipaz Promotions, the Harare City Council as well as the sponsors for the support they were giving to the artistes.

Former soccer legend Freddy Mkwesha represented the yesteryear soccer players.

This year's charity soccer match - to be held under the theme "Bhora Umdlalo 2013" will feature Zimbabwe's top musicians and football legends like talented yesteryear football legends John Phiri, Agent Sawu, Brenna Msiska, Gift Muzadzi, Angirai Chapo, Alois Bunjira, Willard Khumalo, Callisto Pasuwa, Norman Mapeza, George Rollo, Collins Kabote and Rahman Gumbo.

Superstar Oliver Mtukudzi, Alick Macheso, Leonard Zhakata, Victor Kunonga, Somandla Ndebele, Peter Moyo and Jah Prayzah, King Shaddy, Guspy Warrior, Pastor Charles Charamba, Nicholas Zakaria, Gulf Makina, Victor Kunonga, Winky D, Sniper Storm, Freeman, First Farai, Hosiah Chipanga, Josh Hozheri and Chipaz himself, among others, will be part of the line-up of musicians.