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Highlanders fans will pay less to see their team in action this season

Lovemore Dube Senior Sports Editor
CASTLE Lager Premiership runners-up Highlanders have reduced gate charges from $5 to $3 and will also have juniors curtain-raising in a move aimed at attracting large crowds to their home games.In an interview last night, Bosso treasurer Jerry Sibanda said tickets for the rest of the ground would be $3, western grand stand $5 and VVIP $10.

“We want fans to come in their numbers to cheer the club. The season has just started and we are reverting to the $3 charge so that they can afford it,” said Sibanda.

He said over the years they had noted that many soccer fans were coming to stadia late because there was no entertainment prior to the main game and with effect from this Sunday in their match against Shabanie, they would have at least two curtain-raisers.

“We will have our juniors playing at 11AM. We implore our fans to come and watch budding talent. At 1PM all the players that would not have made it to the first team will play a yet to be confirmed opponent so that they stay match fit and also for fans to get used to some of the stars. Besides, the boys will get to know the home crowd. It is our hope that with entertainment, fans will get in as early as 11AM to ease the pressure we tend to encounter towards 3PM,” said Sibanda.

All yesteryear greats like the late Adam Ndlovu, Mercedes Sibanda and Ronnie Jowa, living legends Madinda Ndlovu, Peter Ndlovu, Godfrey Paradza, Willard Khumalo and Mpumelelo Dzowa were given seals of approval in curtain-raiser matches. The crowd which would have known them while they were growing up tended to be softer on days when form eluded them.

Meanwhile, our Midlands Correspondent Lovemore Zigara reports that Chapungu have declared an all out war on fellow military side Black Rhinos when the two sides clash at Rimuka Stadium in Kadoma in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter.

Chapungu announced their return to the topflight league with a hard fought 0-0 draw against Highlanders last week and coach John Nyikadzino believes Sunday’s game is an opportune time to collect their first set of maximum points.

“The game against (Black) Rhinos is not an ordinary game because bragging rights are at stake since they are also a military side. They also have some of our players like Philip Marufu who would want to prove a point or two but we are ready to face them.

“Save for Collins Kwaramba, we have a clean bill of health and everyone is looking forward to the game. In the game against Highlanders many pundits never gave us a chance but we proved that we are not in the Premiership to make up numbers. We are looking at nothing short of victory against Rhinos so that we maintain the momentum,” he said.

“Waru Waru” as Chapungu are affectionately known, will be banking on former Tripple B striker Maxwell Mavhuto who has been in fine form during the pre-season friendlies, captain Callisto Maheya  and the Murisa twins – Ngonidzashe and Charles who are already being  compared to the Muteji twins Cain and Abel.

The Muteji twins, who featured for the airmen from 1994 until they hung their boots at the turn of the millennium, are regarded as some of the finest players to don the gold and blue Chapungu jersey.

Black Rhinos, who got off to a perfect start when they dispatched new boys Bantu Rovers 1-0  during the season opener, will be no pushovers.

Rhinos boast of some of the most experienced strikers in the league in the form of Philip Marufu and Beavan Chikaka who joined the club in the off-season from Highlanders.

“I am a striker who is paid to score goals and if the coaches select me then I will execute my duties to the best of my abilities. Being a former Chapungu player to me is just history which will not have a bearing on how I perform,” said Marufu.

Rhinos coach Arthur Tutani said his team has already been labelled relegation candidates but they would take each game as it comes including the one against Chapungu.
Fixtures

Tomorrow: How Mine v Bantu Rovers (Luveve), FC Platinum v Hwange (Mandava), Harare City v Caps United

Sunday: Highlanders v Shabanie Mine (Barbourfields), Buffaloes v Chicken Inn (Sakubva), Triangle v Chiredzi (Gibbo), Dynamos v ZPC (National Sports Stadium), Black Rhinos v Chapungu (Rimuka)