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News Sport Weather World Service Languages Low Graphics version | Change Edition | Help   Sport Homepage   Football   African Cup of Nations 2004 World Cup 2006 draw 606: Your Say --------------- Five Live>> --------------- Academy>> Virtual Replay Daily E-mail Mobiles Fun and Games Question of Sport CHOOSE A SPORT Select ---------- Football Cricket Rugby U Rugby L Tennis Golf Motorspt Boxing Athletics Snooker Racing Cycling Disability Sport US Sport Other Olympics 2004 ------ N Ireland Scotland Wales Last Updated: Tuesday, 12 October, 2004, 15:47 GMT 16:47 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version Mabika: a comment too far Football and I are inseparable, because that is the only thing I talk, eat and sleep about Sacked Zimbabwe TV commentator Charles Mabika The recent decision of Zimbabwe Television to sack commentator Charles Mabika was a shock to viewers that loved his unique perspective on matches. Known to his fans as "The Voice of Football" and "CNN", Mabika is loved for his fast, high-pitched commentaries interspersed with jokes and humorous tales. Mabika began radio commentary in the mid 1980s and covered the 2004 Nations Cup finals, Zimbabwe's first appearance, for ZTV. But his career came to a bizarre end after Zimbabwe's 3-0 home defeat to Nigeria's Super Eagles in September's World Cup qualifier. Labelled as being "biased and unpatriotic" by ZTV executives for his praise of Nigeria's performance, his sacking was announced on the evening news two days after the 5 September match. He was accused of paying too much attention to the skills of the Super Eagles and, in particular, midfielder Jay-Jay Okocha. His excited description of the trademark somersaults of Julius Aghahowa, who scored Nigeria's opening goal, also came under criticism. But the phone-in programme "This Is Football", formerly presented by Mabika, has had many callers asking for the return of their favourite commentator. However, ZTV's head of sport, Josephine Zulu, has emphasised that he will not be allowed back. "We have positioned ourselves as the leader in Zimbabwean sport and this essentially demands unswerving loyalty to the national team, whether it is winning or losing," she said. "Like any employer, ZTV reserves the right to hire and fire employees, guided by both professional and legal considerations." Mabika himself has said little in public but emphasised in a statement that he is far from unpatriotic. "My life starts and ends with football, I love my country very much, and I will always remain the Warriors' number one supporter," he said. "Football and I are inseparable, because that is the only thing I talk, eat and sleep about." E-mail this to a friend Printable version Links to more African stories In This SectionNigeria call in new bloodZifa Council dissolvedSA expects 400,000 visitorsCaf to probe deathsLiberia coach resignsTogo toll rises to fourPolice call for Liberia banDeaths mar World Cup weekendAngola go top of Group FourSA to meet NigeriaDesailly turns down GhanaAfrican football datesAfrican leagues round-up: Oct 8-11Fifa orders Tanzania electionsEgypt sack TardelliZimbabwe gets tough Esperance 2-0 SuperSportCameroonian sides winAfrican rankingsAfrican goals in Europe: 16-17 AugDrogba faces surgery  ALSO IN THIS SECTION Nigeria call in new blood Zifa Council dissolved SA expects 400,000 visitors Caf to probe deaths E-mail services | Sport on mobiles/PDAs Back to top Sport Homepage | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Snooker | Horse Racing | Cycling | Disability Sport | US Sport | Other Sport | Olympics 2004 Scores & Fixtures | Have Your Say | Photo Galleries | TV/Radio Listings Sport Relief 2004 | Fun and Games | Question of Sport | BBC Sport Plus Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales BBC Sport Academy >> | BBC News >> | BBC Weather >> About the BBC | News sources | Privacy & Cookies Policy | Contact us

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