The Sunday News
Simbarashe Dube Sports Reporter
WITH Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo being the setting of an epic match in today’s ZNA Charities Commander Shield semi-final match between Highlanders and How Mine, the organisers of the tournament, the Zimbabwe National Army yesterday called on the fans to shun violence.
Ever since the fund-raising tournament came into being in 2013, it has been played peacefully with no threat of either violence or hooliganism.
Having seen issues pertaining to violence and hooliganism reaching an alarming level in the previous game played at Barbourfields, the ZNA have vowed to work hand in glove with the police to stop the world’s most beautiful game from turning ugly.
Since the tournament is for charity, the profits obtained from the fund-raising tourney are to be directed to one of the five programmes supported by the ZNA as a sponsorship package.
At a Press conference attended by the two teams’ coaches and captains, at One Brigade Headquarters yesterday, Major Fabion Chitungo said the match is expected to be a family fun day, with no room for hooliganism and violence, but if the need arises the law will take its course.
“As a fund-raising tournament, we are expecting the match to be a family fun day with no threat whatsoever of either violence or hooliganism but if it happens otherwise, together with the ZRP we will take necessary measures,” said Maj Chitungo.
“We have even appealed to the two teams since they have a way of communicating to their fans to urge them to behave well, after all it’s a charity cup.”
In the previous games played between the Bulawayo giants and their cross town rivals, How Mine, no team has been dominant over the other as they have been sharing triumphs and even at some point ending in a stalemate.
Highlanders coach Bongani Mafu said that although they are playing against a good side, their main focus will be winning the match and the tie will help them in terms of preparations of the league which is scheduled to kick off on Saturday.
“It will be a tough game because How Mine is a talented side, but we will play to win. Such games are very much helpful as they prepare us for the league games,” said Mafu.
For the dreadlocked defender, Felix Chindungwe, the match will be his first test as the Highlanders captain, ever since his appointment to lead the Bulawayo giants for this season.
Bosso’s top goal scorer for last season Charles Sibanda, goal minder Munyaradzi Diya and midfielder Heritain Masuku will be making a return to Barbourfields to face their former paymasters in what promises to be a tight match.
The self-proclaimed “Doctor” of Zimbabwean football, Luke Masomere the How Mine gaffer pointed out that despite having five players nursing injuries, the team was still intact, prepared and that he was to field a good side in today’s clash.
“We have five players who sustained injuries during the preparations of the league, but that won’t stop us from fielding a good side as the team is still intact,” said Masomere.
In the fight for a spot in the final whose date is yet to be announced, Harare rivals Caps United and Dynamos meet at Rufaro Stadium this afternoon.
Winners of the final are set to pocket $12 000 with the runners-up walking away with $8 000 while the third and fourth placed teams will both bag $5 000.
A huge turnout is expected at BF as the gates will be opened as early as 10am so to avoid congestion. Gate charges will be $3 for rest of the ground, $10 for the VIP section and $5 for the wings.
Before the match kick off time, ZNA will dish out an programme.
