The battle to break Dynamos’ Premier Soccer League (PSL) dominance is likely to spice up this afternoon’s clash between Highlanders and Caps United at Barbourfields.
BY MICHAEL MADYIRA
Caps last won the league title in 2005 while Highlanders last bagged it the following year.
Although the two giants have not been convincing that they can end Dynamos’ hegemony, today’s match will certainly gauge which side is likely to end the season on a high.
Highlanders are yet to lose a match with two wins and three draws. Caps have equally not been consistent with a loss, two draws and as many wins.
But the Green Machine could draw confidence in the fact that Bosso have twice failed to win at Barbourfields this term.
They can also be inspired by the fact that they scrapped a point in their last visit to Highlanders following a 0-0 draw on July 7 last year.
But Highlanders assistant coach Mark Mathe has already proven that he is a reliable gaffer in the absence of Kelvin Kaindu who is in England for a graduation ceremony after completing his Uefa B coaching course.
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Mathe feels they have to make up for last Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Chicken Inn.
“It’s a different ball game altogether,” said Mathe.
“We drew and Caps United won and they are confident. We drew against them at Barboufields last year and they beat us in Harare so we have to correct that by winning at home. We are worried about the last two draws at Barbourfields as we projected to collect maximum points. We wanted to win. We have to work on killing off the game. What is good is that we are creating the chances but we are not killing off the game.”
But he will be missing injured utility player Milton Ncube.
For Taurai Mangwiro’s CAPS United, it will be their second trip outside Harare this season with their first away match ending in a 2-1 loss to FC Platinum United will be boosted by Mala-wian international Ishmael Thindwa who made his league debut in the 2-1 win over Triangle.
“I know expectations are high on Ishmael because a lot has been said about him. I would not want people to put him under pressure,” said Mangwiro.
He however feels the Triangle win has upped morale in his camp. “We needed to go to Highlanders high on confidence so I am happy we managed to get the much-needed three points from Triangle,” he said.
“We have been dropping points at home so we did need that ahead of our visit to Highlanders. We again need three points against Highlanders. It is a big game for us.”
Meanwhile, Dynamos are hoping to recover from last week’s 1-0 loss to Chapungu.
The Glamour Boys were stunned by the airmen at Ascot for their second loss of the season.
This has put Kalisto Pasuwa’s men under pressure after having also been defeated by ZPC Kariba at home last month.
Buffaloes return to Harare with their last visit to the capital city being a 1-0 win over Harare City and coach Luke Masomere has pointed that the win put a spring in their step ahead of facing Dynamos.
With Dynamos having lost to ZPC Kariba, Buffaloes feel the defending champions are not immortal.
