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WHEN two Zimbabwe cricket players staged a daring protest at a World Cup game 14 years ago, they knew it would probably end their careers at home.

At the 2003 Cricket World Cup, with TV cameras beaming the action live to the world, Henry Olonga and Andy Flower walked out at a stadium across the road from Mugabe’s offices in Harare wearing black armbands taped over the sleeves of their red Zimbabwe shirts.

It was to mourn what they called “the death of democracy” in their country.

Olonga, the first black man to play for Zimbabwe, was ostracised by cricket officials.

He and Flower never played for Zimbabwe again after the World Cup and soon left their home country.

At the age of 26, Olonga’s cricket career was over and he had to start again from scratch in a new country.

He always knew that was probably going to happen.

What Olonga, a cricketer by day and singer by night, couldn’t have known is that a patriotic song he first recorded in a small bedroom, would become the soundtrack of change in Zimbabwe when Mugabe was finally forced out more than a decade later.

Olonga’s song “Our Zimbabwe” has been playing regularly on national television over the last two weeks, both in the days leading up to and since Mugabe’s resignation last Tuesday.

Calling for Zimbabweans to unite and stand up for their country, it’s become a kind of unofficial national anthem embraced by joyous Zimbabweans at the end of Mugabe’s 37-year rule.

It’s taken nearly 15 years, but Zimbabwe is listening to Olonga’s song again.

“I was pleasantly surprised to hear that the people of Zimbabwe have embraced the song and that ZBC (the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation) has been playing it as events unfolded in Zimbabwe,” Olonga told The Associated Press in an interview from Australia, where he’s been living in exile.

“It is very humbling for all of us involved.

“It stands as a challenge to each and every Zimbabwean to embrace their part in making a stand for their country. Judging by events that occurred recently, I think Zimbabweans are finding their voice and have done just that.”

The song’s lyrics reflect the current mood of Zimbabweans.

“We’ve been through it all, we’ve had our days, we’ve had our falls,” sings Olonga in the 2001 music video as he looks over the Zimbabwean countryside from the top of a hill.

“Now the time has come for us to stand, to stand as one.”

The song was conceived and first recorded “in a little bedroom studio in Harare,” Olonga said.

It was first released 16 years ago, “but I hope its essence has stood the test of time,” he said.

Flower, eight years older, had decided he would retire from international cricket after the World Cup anyway, and had a contract with a team in England to go to.

He went on to become coach of England, one of the biggest jobs in cricket.

Olonga spent some time in Britain and eventually settled in Australia, where he now lives with his wife and children.

Although his cricket protest was incredibly brave, Olonga prefers to talk about his song as a lasting inspiration for Zimbabweans.

The song also reflects his own life journey, with the second verse: “Though I may go to distant borders, my heart will yearn for this my home, for time and space may separate us and yet she holds my heart alone.”

Olonga, now 41, hasn’t set foot in Zimbabwe since he left, in a hurry, in 2003.

It might finally be time to return.

“The true litmus test going forward is whether each Zimbabwean will heed the call and play their part,” he said. “I know I will if the opportunity arises.” — AP.