A dark spell casts the future of Zimbabwean football.

BY MICHAEL MADYIRA

As Seychelles referee Bernard Camille blew his final whistle at the National Sports Stadium last Sunday, Ian Gorowa looked like a dead man.

The Warriors had been booted out from their Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier at the first hurdle by unfamiliar opponents. A dream had been shattered.

It was over.

Pain and anguish engulfed the 50 000+ fans who were now walking home with their tails between their legs. It was in sharp contrasts to the fans who glittered with hope just an hour earlier.

It was the highest attendance at the giant stadium in years, more than those who thronged it in 2010 to witness up and close a once in a lifetime opportunity when football gods Brazil wereI will also seek counsel from my friends and they see what advice I can offer to the Warriors.”

Another legend George Shaya could be seen endlessly shaking his head, trying to come to terms with what had happened.

He was failing to down the Lion Lager can he was holding with his left hand while the right one was stuck on his back.

“Zvakaoma,” is all he could say.

His old friend and Zimbabwe’s first export to Europe, Freddy Mukwesha could also be seen consumed in apparent disbelief.

The day’s events were just a tiny portion of the broader picture of the state of Zimbabwean football.

With the national Under-17s and 20s currently serving a CAF ban, a bleak future lies ahead.

In reality, the dream to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games