The Sunday News
HIGHLANDERS’ new chief executive officer, Ndumiso Gumede feels it would be Bosso’s day today and the Bulawayo side can end the jinx that has seen them failing to beat Dynamos in league matches for the past seven years.
DeMbare and Bosso square off this afternoon in a potentially explosive encounter at the National Sports Stadium in Harare as the league champions seek to maintain their dominance over their bitter rivals, while the former champions will seek to end the agonising heartache of their perpetual bridesmaid tag.
Gumede reminded everyone that in a game of football there were three possible outcomes.
“A football match can produce three results, a draw, a win and a loss and any football lover will know that and it is the same for tomorrow’s (today’s) match. You can’t expect to win all the time as things change and one day it will be our chance to turn the tables. We have lost to them for a while but I think our day will come and I think that day is tomorrow and we believe we can do it.
“While people go to town about the DeMbare and Highlanders rivalry, it is a recent phenomenon as in the past, the blockbuster game was between Bosso and Zimbabwe Saints,” said the veteran football administrator.
Highlanders travel to the capital with heavy expectations from their multitude of supporters who are eager to celebrate a win over their bitter rivals. And the hard-to-please Highlanders fans will not accept their team’s unbeaten run to be ended, of all teams, by DeMbare.
A win for Bosso today will certainly lift the hearts of their fans and also raise hope that they are on course to clinch the league title as the last time Highlanders won against Dynamos in 2006 they went on to bag the championship.
Most football commentators feel the onus is on the players to win the game as it has the huge bragging rights because of the fierce rivalry between the two teams and the coaches are not likely to play a big role in determining the match result.
Highlanders’ captain, Innocent Mapuranga said the players were up to the task and wanted to be counted as the squad that turned the tide against Dynamos.
He said history was in the past and today’s match was a different ball game and that they were ready to get the better of DeMbare.
“It is our wish to break the jinx and be counted among those who stopped Dynamos’ dominance over the team hence we have been working hard at training to ensure we are at our best going into the match. Morale is high in the camp and we will enter the field with nothing but victory in our minds,” said Mapuranga.
The form book cannot be used to predict the outcome of matches between the two sides because players usually raise their bar in efforts as they bid to walk away with the “bacon.’’
Dynamos has over the past years risen to the occasion when playing against Highlanders even when they had been playing badly in games of lesser pedigree.
Bosso coach, Kelvin Kaindu said it was important not to lose focus as they approached today’s encounter.
“Everyone has to come to the party going into the game and the pressure is there like every other game but we understand the importance of this game,” he said.
DeMbare’s manager Richard Chihoro discounted their loss to Hwange last week saying with all derbies teams have equal chances irrespective of the previous result.
“When it comes to playing teams like Highlanders and Caps it is a 50/50 chance anything can happen but what I know is that at the end of the match tomorrow (today) we will be having three points,” he said.
Chihoro said the fact that Highlanders were yet to win against them in the past seven years would count in their favour as they face today’s encounter with a psychological edge.
Chihoro said Dynamos would be missing the services of former Highlanders forward, Masimba Mambare, Tafadzwa Rusike and Clive Kawinga due to injury while reigning soccer star of the year, Tawanda Muparati will be available for the game.
Highlanders will have to battle without midfielder, Mthulisi Maphosa and winger, Rahman Kutsanzira.
South African-bound trio of Milton Ncube, Peter Moyo and Kudakwashe Mahachi will be eager to play a crucial role in winning today’s game before leaving as they are aware of the importance of the match to the Highlanders’ multitude.
Highlanders’ starting line-up is likely to feature Ariel Sibanda, Charles Sibanda, Mapuranga, Ncube, Mahachi, Bruce Kangwa, Dumisani Ndlovu, Erick Mudzingwa, Simon Munawa, Ozias Zibande and Knox Mutizwa.
DeMbare is likely to bank on Partson Jaure, Stephen Alimenda, Ronald Chitiyo, Walter Mukanga, Anesu Gondo, Themba Ndlovu and Tawanda Muparati.
Please note that this match will not be beamed live on SuperSport as ZBC could not provide uplink. However, the match will be recorded and beamed later.
Fixtures
Today: Dynamos v Highlanders (NSS, 3pm), Hwange v Chicken Inn (Colliery), How Mine v FC Platinum (Luveve), Shabanie Mine v ZPC Kariba (Maglas), Chiredzi v Caps United (Chishamiso).
