Rivals in club colors, brothers in national colors: CheMhofela and Ogege fly the flag together

On any given Castle Lager Premier Soccer League weekend, Rufaro or Ngoni Stadium becomes a battlefield.

On one side is Richard “Che Mhofela” Sande, the face of defending Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions Scottland FC. On the other is Ogriva “Ogege88” Tatenda Jeure, the voice and paint of Mwos FC.

Their rivalry is documented, loud, and loved by fans. But step outside club football, and the script flips completely.

For Che Mhofela and Ogege88, national duty erases club lines. Whether it’s the Warriors, the Mighty Warriors, or the Chevrons, the two are always in the stands. And they don’t do things quietly.

They are unique in how they show up, Che Mhofela is known for arriving in different themed outfits that fit the occasion.

Ogege88 is synonymous with bold facial and body painting, also tailored to the moment.

It is performance, passion, and patriotism rolled into one.

A few months ago, that partnership took them all the way to Ndola, Zambia.

They were there to cheer the Zimbabwe Women’s national team, the Mighty Warriors, at the Four Nations Tournament featuring Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Kenya.

The Mighty Warriors lost the final to Zambia, but the two superfans left their mark anyway.

That was not a one-off. The pair have travelled across Africa together for the entirety of the Warriors’ AFCON and World Cup qualifiers. As Che Mhofela says, that commitment “won’t stop anytime soon.”

Yesterday, they were back at it on home soil. At Harare Sports Club, the Zimbabwean National cricket team, the Chevrons, beat Bangladesh by 25 runs in the 1st ODI.

Defending a paltry 141, the Chevrons bowled out the Tigers for 116. In the stands, Che Mhofela and Ogege88 provided the kind of energy that turns a crowd into a 12th man.

In an exclusive interview with Fanzone Che Mhofela talks about rivalry, unity, and what comes next for Scottland.

On putting club rivalry aside for the Chevrons, Che Mhofela says the motivation is simple: passion.

“Well passion is the biggest driver for our support. I think as myself and so called Oge we have found the match in rivals. I stand with Scottland FC, he stand with Mwos FC but when it comes to National we apply the double energy, then it’s a big spark. We made a huge mark recently in Ndola, Zambia for Mighty Warriors four nation tournament. Anything to do with National colors we unite.”

Week in, week out, he brings a new look and new aura to Scottland games. He’s applying that same mentality to Zimbabwe matches.

“Yes I am happy. Every weekend I will be supporting my club Scottland FC to any extend that every game from the stands I bring the aura of new regalia with a certain theme. So same mentality I am applying it to Zimbabwe matches. For the Chevrons game, Solo the photographer, approached us and said guys we need the same energy, bring it to the Chevrons.”

Despite the PSL heat, there’s respect. For them, it’s sport, not war.

“About the rivalry, it’s about sports, nothing personal. At the end we are Zimbabweans. We are happy because we have so many imitations. So in short we are role models to the upcoming CheMhofelas and Ogeges.”

With Scottland leading the PSL and set for the CAF Champions League later this year, Che Mhofela has a message for both sets of fans.

“Yes Scottland is on top the log. Victory is so sweet. I remember one time last season Mwos was on top of the log, they where too noisy. So it our time to shine for now. For our fans, me and Oge we unite only for national team but after that the rival goes on. But we preach no to hooliganism, no to pitch invasion, no to drugs. As Scottland goes to African safari let’s support our Zimbabwean champions. Mabvira vira.”

From sworn PSL rivals to brothers in face paint and regalia when the flag is raised.

Che Mhofela and Oge88 are proving that you can hate the club across the way for 90 minutes, and love the country for 90 more.