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Bongani Mafu

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
THE desire to beat their nemesis combined with the fear of imposing striker Takesure Chinyama has prevented Highlanders coach Bongani Mafu from fielding rookies in the Zimbabwe National Army Charities final against Dynamos at Rufaro Stadium tomorrow.

Highlanders have not beaten Dynamos in the league since July 2006, but won 4-3 in the Independence Cup final in 2011.

The two giants will renew their rivalry for the second time in a week when they battle for the $12,000 prize money tomorrow.

Highlanders’ travelling and accommodation expenses are being catered for by the ZNA.

Speaking at the club’s weekly press conference on Thursday afternoon, Mafu said he would have loved to field some players that have not seen much action in league matches this season, but statistics against Dynamos do not favour such a decision.

Instead, Mafu said he was likely to mix seasoned players with some rookies.

“I’m itching to see some of my youngsters. My idea is to play the young boys, but I’ve a challenge in that Bosso hasn’t beaten Dynamos for a long time and that has to end,” said Mafu.

The Highlanders gaffer seems to have been intimidated by big Dynamos target man Chinyama, who cut his Premiership football teeth with Hwange before moving to the now defunct Monomotapa and later Poland.

He also tried his luck at South African Premiership side Orlando Pirates, but failed to hold down a regular starting place.

“The other factor is their big and seasoned striker Chinyama. You can’t throw in youngsters to deal with such an experienced player. There is need to have some stability in the defence,” said Mafu.

Despite his fears, Mafu said their preparations went on well and they are ready for tomorrow’s match.

He also revealed that speedy winger Gabriel Nyoni had started light training and was itching to return to action following a lengthy injury lay off.

Some of the youngsters Highlanders could throw into tomorrow’s clash are their new finds Obert Mafira, who has enormous dribbling and shooting skills, Thembinkosi Simango and Peter Muduwa, who was recalled from Southern Region League leaders Bulawayo Chiefs.

Muduwa could be part of Bosso’s three-man defence consisting of skipper Felix Chindungwe and Erick Mudzingwa, as Mafu seeks to contain Chinyama.

Goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda, a good penalty stopper, might make a return to the starting 11 since there is a high likelihood of the match being decided by the dreaded shootout lottery considering that the two teams fear losing to each other.

The ZNA has five charities, which include the Tsanga Lodge Convalescent Centre in Nyanga for the rehabilitation of injured members of the uniformed forces. There is also the ZNA Benevolence Fund for the welfare of troops on internal, external and international operations. It also runs a schools’ welfare trust for its five secondary and 12 primary schools.

The other ZNA charity is the Widows and Orphans, which takes care of the widows and widowers of soldiers before they receive terminal benefits.

Besides the football matches, the army also has a golf tournament as part of its fundraising activities.