This afternoon’s Highlanders-Harare City league collision at Rufaro as well Dynamos’ visit to Barbourfields for a Chicken Inn date will certainly further throw the title race into an intriguing contest.
BY MICHAEL MADYIRA
Making the afternoon fascinating is the prospect of Highlanders being crowned champions for the first time since 2006 with one game to spare, but that would only be possible if Chicken Inn beat Dynamos.
With a narrow one point lead over second-placed Dynamos and City who are on third spot, victory for Highlanders take them to 54 points and assume an unassailable lead of four points clear if Dynamos remain unmoved.
But Dynamos’ steely character that has seen them rise to the occasion at such a crucial stage in the past two seasons could see them scrap at least a draw that will see them push the title to the last day of the season.
A Dynamos win and a Highlanders defeat will place the defending champions back on top.
Harare City are also with a chance as a victory over Highlanders and loss for Dynamos will hand them a two-point lead with 53 points.
All these permutations have added colour to this season’s race for the ultimate prize in Zimbabwean local football.
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Highlanders stand-in coach Bekhithemba Ndlovu is aware they could win it today but has refused to get carried away by such prospects.
“We do not mind how Dynamos will play,” said Ndlovu.
“What is important for us is to decide the league race ourselves and not let any other team do that for us. Harare City are going to be tough for us but we know that we are playing for nothing short of three points,” he said.
In the absence of head coach Kelvin Kaindu, who is in England for a coaching badge, Ndlovu will front the Highlanders bench at a crucial time when their opponents City will be boasting of Bigboy Mawiwi.
The last time Ndlovu was at the helm, Highlanders blew an opportunity to go top following a costly one-all draw against Motor Action in Harare.
Now they return to Harare but without Ndlovu’s brother and defender Dumisani who is injured.
City will be without injured defender Willard Kalongonda and Tongai Chiworeso while winger Silas Songani is doubtful.
With referees hogging the limelight last week for what could have been infamous decisions, Mawiwi has made a Fair Play call.
“I am pleading for Fair Play from match officials. We want true champions who would be a true reflection of Zimbabwean football not champions crowned by referees,” said Mawiwi.
“Otherwise we need to win this game and we are ready. From what I saw last weekend Highlanders are a good team with strong mentality.”
The two sides met last weekend in the Mbada Diamonds Cup semi-final match in which Highlanders prevailed after a penalty shootout following a 2-2 regulation time draw.
Dynamos will be attempting to pull a first when they arrive in Bulawayo where they have never beaten Chicken Inn.
Coach Kalisto Pasuwa is aware of Chicken Inn’s potential to end their quest for a third straight league title.
“We are playing a team that is capable of upsetting any team in the league so we are going for a challenge and we know what we are going to meet. We are ready for them and hope it will come out good,” said Pasuwa.
The Glamour Boys will be without injured linkman Russell Madamombe as well as suspended defenders Ocean Mushure and Gift Bello.
Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas is anticipating an explosive encounter as his side has often proved strong at home.
“They are going to come hard on us to garner maximum points and get themselves back at the top so I expect a high tempo match. Our chances of winning this game are just as good as theirs, so there are going to be fireworks,” Antipas said.
