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Tedious Manyepo in MURAMBINDA

LOCAL football discourse rarely dominates conversations in Murambinda.

Folks here are used to discussing the goings-on in the English Premier Soccer League which they almost always access at local sports bars littered across the area, thanks to pay satellite television.

Not that they do not care about domestic soccer. They do and some of them have vast knowledge of it especially with Zimpapers Television Network Prime (ZTN Prime) beaming the Premier Soccer League live at least twice a week. But predominantly, it is the EPL that they seem to know better.

But all that has changed since the announcement by Government that the 44th Independence main celebrations would be staged at Murambinda B High School. 

The festivities will be spiced by the Battle of Zimbabwe showdown between the country’s biggest two teams Dynamos and Highlanders who square up for the Uhuru Cup. 

It will be the first time that the giants clash in Manicaland Province, exactly a year after they also met in the same match for the first time in Mt Darwin where the celebrations were held in 2023.

At Chari Bottle Store, a group of youths have gathered, some dressed in Dynamos replicas and others in Highlanders apparel.

They are preparing to watch Dynamos in action against Simba Bhora on ZTN Prime and this would give them an indication of how the Glamour Boys would line up against Bosso at Murambinda B High School Grounds.

The same youths have already watched Bosso in action, also on ZTN Prime when the Bulawayo side drew 1-1 against champions Ngezi Platinum at Baobab on Saturday at the same joint.

They are looking forward to watching the two teams live on Thursday.

“For me, watching both Dynamos and Highlanders live right here brings a lot of joy,” said 23-year-old Brian Kufakunesu.

“It’s a dream come true for me. I support Dynamos but to be honest, I have never watched them live in action save on television. I can’t wait to see those players who we always see on television come Thursday. I am predicting a win for my team.”

For Fred Mukwimba, who works as a general hand at a local clinic but hails from Gunda Village in Chisasike, Wedza, having a chance to watch his beloved Bosso has him excited.

“I spent part of my childhood in Bulawayo where supporting Highlanders is like a culture. I am someone who fell in love with Bosso a long time ago but I never got a chance to be at Barbourfields where the team plays their home matches,” said Mukwimba. And having them come here has left me very happy. I know for sure Bosso will win but what I am liking most is the fact that here in Murambinda, we will be able to watch live football featuring these two giants. I would like to thank the authorities for that.”

The venue where the match will be staged is now ready after officials from the Sports and Recreation Commission put markings on it yesterday.

Engineers working at the venue were by late yesterday also compacting the turf for one last time. The pitch will first be used by Simba Bhora and Manica Diamonds who square up on the eve of Independence to put the icing on the cake for the Children’s Party that takes place on Wednesday. Simba Bhora, who hail from Mashonaland Central Province where the celebrations were held last year will be officially handing over the hosting torch to the Manicaland-based Manica Diamonds.

The two clubs will dress-rehearse the big match between Bosso and DeMbare giving the Murambinda people two high level games in as many days.

Project Manager of the setting up of the venue, who is also Infrastructure Co-ordinator in the Ministry of Local Governemnt and Public Works Ackim Marivara told Zimpapers Sport that all was set for both the Independence celebrations and the big showdown between Dynamos and Highlanders.

“As you can see the final touches are being put in place. We have constructed state-of-art dressing rooms which are being finalised and the turf is now ready. We are putting up markings as you can see,” he said.

Sport and Recreation Commission Manicaland Co-ordinator Shupikai Berejena said his province is ready to host the country’s biggest teams.