andrea lanzoni wrote: ↑Wed Oct 30, 2024 12:35 pm
Googly wrote: ↑Wed Oct 30, 2024 6:25 am
Lasagne was asking what's wrong with Bulawayo.
He needs to ask the players after they have to spend Xmas there
To answer your question- it's a longstanding feud between Matabeleland and Mashonaland. Stems from the Ndebele and the Shona but extends to the white folk. Amongst the whites it's lessened considerably because so few are left, but it's still there. It's largely from the Bulawayo boys, they come here and nobody gives them shit, but we go there and it can sometimes be a problem, they're not very welcoming....some of the time.
From the white perspective I think it was because Bulawayo was ignored by the Rhodesian government and they felt hard done by. And its very real as far as government funding goes now. It's one of those feuds that most people have probably forgotten the original reason.
I know a few guys who've gone to live there and they actually prefer the life to Harare, but it takes many years to actually be "accepted". Harare life is expensive and there are some proper dickheads here
Thank you. I didn't know about this rivalry.
Yeah. On the white side, we have a very bad reputation for fighting, punch ups, etc. Not sure the Rhodie goverment were to blame really, we're just prone to fighting. I think it's a relic from the "rough railway town" era. Bloody hazardous on a Friday night, i tell you.
Post 1980, the gukhurahundi massacres have obviously been massively divisive, so there is extreme suspicion of anything to do with Harare, 'Shifty' Shonas, the ruling party, etc.
In purely cricket terms Queens as a ground is fine, albeit a little decrepit, as are most things in Bulawayo. Had a look at the pitch a couple of months back and it still looks pretty good. Groundsmen are still putting a shift in.
Pluses - Certainly no presidential helicoptors incoming during matches (tho I hear thats no longer a problem in H

), less rain delays (sadly), you'll definitely get a ticket - no queues.
Minuses - far fewer fans, less organised support, less interest internationally, worse transport links.