IT’S a fixture that always produces a winner more often than not; an age-old rivalry where pride and reputation has always been at stake. This time there is an added incentive — the victor will earn the right to go into the mid-season break as log leaders.
BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE/FORTUNE MBELE
Log leaders CAPS United, who have grinded an eight-match unbeaten run, invade Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon looking to ransack the second-placed hosts Highlanders.
Bosso have stumbled in the league title race in the last two games.
While the Green Machine last tasted defeat on May 14 with a 2-1 loss to How Mine at Barbourfields, Bosso were at the receiving end only last weekend and odds in the epic duel favour the visitors.
But matches of this nature tend to tear and throw out of the window form books.
CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe, who has been under pressure from the club fans lately, is looking forward to a difficult match. “It’s a very difficult match for us and sadly, our tag as log leaders will not help us win the match.
“In fact, to be log leaders at this stage of the league is meaningless because it does not mean we will be champions,” he said in an interview with Standardsport.
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“All I can say is that we are ready for battle and we will play for maximum points.
“As a coach, I am happy with what we have done so far in the league, but I am happier about the great atmosphere in our camp and I hope it will continue in the second half of the season,” he added.
Last season the Harare giants completed a double over Highlanders and they will be looking to continue with their dominance.
Highlanders on the other hand have been in scintillating form in the league under the tutelage of Dutchman Elroy Akbay.
But the Bulawayo giants have started showing signs of cracking after losing to Chicken Inn last weekend before drawing with newcomers Mutare City in a midweek fixture.
A win today in the top-of-the-table clash could see Highlanders reclaiming the top spot, while a defeat would see them drop to position three if FC Platinum beat Bulawayo City at Mandava Stadium.
This might not be the best time for Highlanders to play CAPS United as the team is depleted, with at least four key players out due to injuries and suspension.
Akbay defended his team’s recent slump in form.
“I want to play my normal game in every match. I try to win every game every week and this match against CAPS United is one such game,” he said.
“It’s bad that we have three or four injured players and these are very good players who play the style that we want to play.
“Also, some players need more time to adjust to that type of play and it sometimes hurts.
“But I am not saying we are playing badly as a team because we played extremely well against Mutare City and it’s just that we didn’t score.”
Bosso also find themselves confronted by mini-financial problems at a wrong time as the players and the technical team have gone four matches without receiving their winning bonuses although BancABC has taken care of the salaries.
However, assistant coach Cosmas Zulu said they have been trying to engage the players to ride over that predicament and remain focused on getting positive results.
“We as the technical staff and the boys cannot stop working hard for the club over money,” he said.
“This club means a lot to us and so incentive or no incentive, we are going to work hard.
“We need to do that for the fans because they support this team from the bottom of their hearts. They are not paid to support the team,” he said.
Highlanders will be missing some of their regular players for the match, with skipper Felix Chindungwe ruled out due to a suspension, while Peter Muduhwa is bereaved.
Right-back Benson Dube was injured in Mutare while left-back Honest Moyo, Rahman Kutsanzira and King Nadolo are still out injured.
Meanwhile, CAPS United boast of a clean bill of health.
