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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
FOOTBALLERS Union of Zimbabwe (FUZ)’s #bringbackfootball campaign has gone viral, with former top players joining current players calling for resumption of the game.

FUZ launched its campaign on Monday, compiling video clips of active footballers, whose careers have been affected by the Covid-19 lockdown.

Players say the countinued freeze has thrown them into abject poverty that has forced them to turn to other means for survival.

Former players, who include former Soccer Star of the Year Zenzo Moyo and ex-Dynamos captain Memory Mucherahowa are among notable faces that have aired their #bringbackfootball views on their social media pages.

“Vapwere vachema,” reads Mucherahowa’s caption on the clip.

“Save their dreams and those of future generations,” Moyo wrote.

Former Warriors coach Norman Mapeza has also joined those calling for the return of the game, warning that lots of players’ livelihoods are under threat.

Speaking on the #bringbackfootball campaign, Mapeza said another year of inactivity will affect lots of families.

Besides players, people affected by the continued inactivity include match officials, technical and support staff.

“It is very important for football to resume in the country as you know most of these footballers are breadwinners in their families. If we go for another year without football in this country, it will affect lots of families,” Mapeza said.

Players said while others view football as just a sport, to them it’s a way of life.

“To us, football is much more. It is how we breath, walk, talk, how we feed our families and inspire next generations,” said a player.

Fans have also sent supporting messages, with Lloyd Siyanda Sibanda writing: “To some of you, football is just a sport or a form of entertainment, but to us it’s our way of life, a source of income we live and survive on. Careers will go down the drain, families will suffer. We can heal the nation through football. Please #bringbackfootball Zifa.”

Last week Zifa sent an application to the Sports and Recreation Commission seeking a waiver to restart football.

The Premier Soccer League has also been working on a plan outlining the standard operations to be followed.

The PSL wants authorities to grant them permission for competitions to be held with players coming from home.

It says testing and compliance would be strictly adhered to to curb infections. — @ZililoR