In the bustling streets of Harare, where commuter omnibuses, affectionately called ‘kombis’, rule the urban transport scene, one vehicle has become the unlikely ambassador of global football culture. Branded with the image of Arsenal’s in-form striker Viktor Gyökeres, this kombi has not only turned heads locally but has now captured the imagination of international media. 

By Tongai Mwenje

The kombi plies the City–Airport–Manyame route.

The spark came when ESPN UK, the flagship property of the American sports broadcasting giant Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN), posted a picture of the kombi on its X (formerly Twitter) timeline. The caption was simple, almost understated; “This bus in Zimbabwe.” Yet, those four words were enough to ignite a storm of reactions across the globe. 

Within hours, the post had amassed more than 430,000 views and over 220 replies, drawing mixed emotions from football fans everywhere. One viewer marveled: “So Gyökeres is a fan favourite in Zimbabwe, right?”

Another, proudly wearing Arsenal colours, declared it proof of the club’s worldwide reach, “Arsenal is a global powerhouse. What’s impressive is the loyal fanbase in the absence of silverware. Imagine when we start winning how bigger we would become.”

But not everyone was convinced. A Chelsea supporter quipped that the kombi might struggle to attract passengers, alleging that “Chelsea is Zimbabweans’ favourite.”. Others mocked Arsenal’s long-standing trophy drought, joking that the tears of their fans at season’s end would be “premium.” 

The timing of the viral post was no accident. Just three days earlier, Arsenal had thrashed arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur 4–1 in a fiery London Derby. Gyökeres, the former Sporting CP forward, was the hero of the night, scoring a brace, including a sublime finish in the 47th minute. 

This season, Arsenal are enjoying a renaissance. They remain unbeaten in the UEFA Champions League group stage, sit atop the English Premier League table, have secured a Carabao Cup final berth, and continue their FA Cup campaign. For fans in Harare, plastering Gyökeres’ image on a kombi is more than decoration, it’s a statement of belonging to a global football narrative. 

In Zimbabwe, kombis are more than just transport, they are cultural billboards, canvases of identity, and rolling expressions of passion. From reggae stars to political slogans, their branding often mirrors the heartbeat of society. That one kombi now carries the face of Arsenal’s talisman speaks volumes about the reach of football fandom and the way global sport intersects with local life. 

What began as a casual snapshot has blossomed into a story of cultural pride, rivalry, and global connection. The Viktor Gyökeres kombi is not just a vehicle, it is a moving metaphor for how sport transcends borders, how fandom finds expression in unexpected places, and how Harare’s streets can suddenly become the stage for international conversation. 

As Arsenal chase glory this season, one kombi in Zimbabwe will keep rolling, carrying with it the laughter, debates, and dreams of millions, proof that football, in all its drama, is truly the world’s game.