Harare giants Dynamos will be looking to reach a third consecutive final when they take on archrivals Highlanders at Rufaro Stadium this afternoon.
It's a mouth-watering fixture on the local scene pitting two of the biggest and most successful clubs.
Last week the two teams played a one-all draw at Barbourfields Stadium in a Premier Soccer League clash.
Highlanders will face Dynamos in the Chibuku Super Cup semi-finals, buoyed by their impressive record in the capital city.
Highlanders last lost to Dynamos in Harare back in 2015 under the tutelage of Bongani Mafu.
The match ended 3-2 in favour of Dynamos, though not without its share of controversy.
Edmore Muzanenhamo appeared to have equalised for Bosso, but the effort was ruled out for offside by assistant referee Bongani Gadzikwa, who was subsequently suspended by the Zifa Referees Committee.
Since then, Bosso have dominated their cross-town rivals.
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This includes a 2019 Chibuku Super Cup victory at Rufaro Stadium, secured by a Prince Dube strike.
Ironically, Bosso were coached at the time by their current gaffer, Peter De Jongh, who left at the end of that season.
In subsequent league matches played in Harare, Bosso beat Dynamos 2-0 in 2016, with Dube and Bruce Kangwa on target, to break a 10-year jinx of failing to beat Dynamos. The following year witnessed a 1-1 stalemate.
In 2018, under Madinda Ndlovu, Ozias Zibande headed the only goal in a 1-0 victory for Bosso.
On November 3, 2019, the two teams drew 1-1, with Tinashe Makanda scoring for Bosso and Evans Katema equalising for Dynamos.
Zimbabwean football then went on a Covid-19-induced hiatus before action resumed in the 2021/22 season. The two teams played out a 0-0 draw at the National Sports Stadium on October 30, 2022.
The following year, Dynamos played their home matches in Bulawayo.
In 2024, Bosso returned to Harare to beat Dynamos 2-0 at Rufaro Stadium, with Godfrey Makaruse and McKinnon Mushore on target.
This year, the two teams drew 0-0 at the same venue on June1.
Aside from one-off Independence Cup matches, Bosso have dominated the Zimbabwe derby in both Bulawayo and Harare.
Their only two losses in Bulawayo during this period, in 2017 and 2023, were both awarded to DeMbare via boardroom decisions.
While history firmly favours Bosso, the current form book tells a different story. In their last five league matches, Dynamos have collected nine out of a possible 15 points, while Highlanders have garnered a paltry four, as both teams continue their fight against relegation.
Bosso's road to the semi-final has been impressive.
They defeated bogey side Herentals 1-0 at Nyamhunga Stadium, a venue where they had never won in the club's history.
They then proceeded to beat favourites Scotland on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation time during the quarter-finals.
Dynamos, on the other hand, have relied on fortune in penalty shootouts, navigating all three of their knockout hurdles against Yadah, favourites Simba Bhora, and ZPC Kariba via the dreaded spot-kicks.
Dynamos coach Kelvin Kaindu's team will be missing the red-hot Jaison Kasondo through suspension.
Kasondo, who troubled the Bosso defenders last week, will be a significant loss, but Kaindu was philosophical about his absence.
"It's unfortunate especially looking at the impact that Kasondo showed from the time that he started playing I think he has been influential in the field,” Kaindu said.
“Even if you look at the goal that he scored the last from a half a chance.
“But it also gives an opportunity to other players to see what they can give," Kaindu said.
The coach stressed the importance of mental and physical readiness over past results.
"Football is played on the field if we could get a result before we played I think every coach would get a win. It depends on how ready you are psychologically, physically and mentally.
“Yes history is there but we have to play Highlanders first and it's not going to be an easy game.
“They will also want get to the final, which will make the game interesting and more open.”
Kaindu also noted the advantage of playing at their traditional home ground and expressed confidence if the match goes to penalties.
"We are playing at home and we have an advantage of the fans," he said, adding, "The rules say if there is a stalemate the match must be decided through a penalty shoot-out and if that happens I think we have an advantage because out of all the penalties we have taken in this competition we have missed just one."
In contrast, De Jongh reported a clean bill of health for his Highlanders squad.
The stage is set for the biggest fixture in Zimbabwean football.
