ALMOST seven years have lapsed since Highlanders beat Dynamos in a league match, and ironically that was the last time the former laid their hands on the championship trophy.
REPORT BY ALBERT MARUFU
In a season in which they completed a double over Dynamos, Bosso won the first leg 1-0 on July 1 2006, before beating them 2-0 in the return leg 29 days later at Barbourfields.
However, since then, the pendulum has swung in Dynamos’ favour and in Thursday’s Independence Day trophy, Dynamos captain Murape Murape’s solitary strike cemented the champions’ dominance over their rivals.
Thrice Bosso have lost to Dynamos in this season’s Cup matches and interestingly, if they lose today, it will be Dynamos’ first league win this season having grounded four draws in as many matches.
However, Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu has vowed to break this hegemony that is now threatening the competitiveness of what was once the best duel on the local sporting landscape.
“Technically, we play-ed better football on Thursday and it is unfortunate that we lost the match. We have to work on our finishing.
“It is high time we break this dominance and I am sure on Sunday [today] it will be Highlanders fans smiling,” he said.
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Kaindu hopes the dominance that Dynamos has enjoyed over the years will work in his team’s advantage today.
“Psychologically, it will work to our favour as it brings complacency to Dynamos players. We are ready for this match,” he said.
Bosso captain Innocent Mapuranga echoed his coach’s sentiments.
However, Dynamos coach Kallisto Pasuwa described the current status as an advantage for his team that has been failing to find the rhythm in the league.
“That we beat Highlanders on Thursday came as a relief to us as we have been failing to win in recent matches,” he said.
Team manager Richard Chihoro told Standardsport that all the players were raring to go and only defender Ocean Mushure was not available for selection.
“This is a different game and all the players are raring to go. We hope to pick our first set of maximum points tomorrow. Only Ocean Mushure is out of this tie,” he said.
However, Kaindu’s is having nightmares as there are doubts over the availability of Bruce Kangwa, Dumisani Ndlovu, Simon Munawa and Hillary Madzivanyika who picked knocks in Thursday’s game against Dynamos.
Utility player Erick Mudzingwa is already out of the match, but the experienced Mthulisi Maphosa, Mapuranga and Masimba Mambare are available for selection.
Dynamos striker Francesco Zekumbawira who arrived with so much noise is still sitting on a duck in the league and will be hoping to break the jinx.
Elsewhere, log leaders FC Platinum will be hoping to continue with their fine form when they take on Shabanie Mine at Maglas while CAPS United coach Taurai Mangwiro will be hoping for a win on his return against How Mine at Luveve Stadium this afternoon.
Today’s fixtures Shabanie Mine FC v FC Platinum (Maglas Stadium) @ 1500hrs How Mine FC v CAPS United FC (Luveve Stadium) @ 1500hrs Buffaloes FC v Harare City FC (Sakubva Stadium) @ 1500hrs Dynamos FC v Highlanders FC (Rufaro Stadium) @ 1500hrs SS9.
