The stage is set for what is dubbed the ‘Battle For Zimbabwe Part One’ at Rufaro Stadium on Saturday where two of Zimbabwe’s most popular football teams, Dynamos and Highlanders, will be in action in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter.
This is the game which everyone has been talking about the whole of this week and if the enthusiasm shown is anything to go by, then the stadium should be full to the brim.
This game is ranked among the best in African football and former Dynamos goalkeeper Ernest Chirambadare cannot wait to witness such a game which he says produces that lovely feeling for the game of football.
“That was a pressure game, and it still remains the same. I played most of my best games at Barbourfields and some of the Highlanders supporters used to make a joke out of me. There was this lovely feeling,” said Chirambadare.
What is making this tie even more interesting is the fact that the two teams are going into the match with different backgrounds.
Bosso, as Highlanders are affectionately known, are in third place on the Castle Premier Soccer League log, while Dynamos are way down the perking order in an unfamiliar 12th position.
Highlanders have not beaten Dynamos in a league game since 2006 but the Glamour Boys have so far not been themselves and club treasurer Webster Marechera admits this year could be different.
“We have played Highlanders for some time. They have not beaten us since 2006 but this game would be a mammoth task for us,” said Marechera.
On their part, Highlanders have been turning on the style with the likes of Knox Mtizwa, Bruce Kangwa, Simon Munawa, Ralph Mathema, and Honest Moyo putting up brilliant shows and football fan Munashe
Musavengana thinks this is the time for the Bulawayo giants to celebrate.
Musavengana says after a closer look at the two teams, he thinks Bosso are far much the better side.
“I tip Highlanders. Highlanders are playing better competition and I think they are the better team to win,” said Musavengana.
However, Dynamos are very dangerous when they meet big teams at a time they are going through difficult times.
Unlike Highlanders, who have brought in youth in their set ups, the Glamour Boys still rely on the same old players like Ocean Mushure, Roderick Mutuma, Farai Mupasiri, Masimba Mambare, and Elisha Muroyiwa.
Dembare have picked up only eight points from seven games and newly appointed assistant coach Murape Murape says they should start beating those teams at the top if they are to sustain a realistic challenge for the league title.
“It’s good that we are playing them now. For us to go back to the top, we need to beat those teams placed better than us,” said Murape Murape.
One of their fans Ignatius Changamire is urging all the team’s fans to make the trip to Rufaro Stadium contending that they are going to come out the victors.
“Come all you Dynamos fans, we are going to win, “ said Changamire.
On a lighter note, Dynamos claim to be the most popular football team in the country but Bosso Chief Executive Officer, Ndumiso Gumede jokes this off.
“I doubt if there is a club as big as ours. I know there is one that calls itself seven million but I doubt that they are as big as we are,” joked Gumede.
A win for Highlanders will see them return to second position on the table, two points behind leaders FC Platinum. Should Dynamos prevail, the Glamour Boys will climb to seventh in the 16 team assembly.
A draw will keep the two teams in their current positions.
