Death threats and reports that President Robert Mugabe's secret police were out to get them followed their brave stand. Olonga's protest against Zimbabwe's human rights violations brought cries of 'traitor' from the Mugabe regime. Both players will never play for Zimbabwe again. At least not as long as Mugabe is in power.

'My faith leads me on,' Olonga said. 'If I lost everything just for doing the right thing, I'd have no regrets.'

Text: Ashish Magotra

Flower, Olonga to wear black bands
Complete coverage: The World Cup