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Expectations are high for the encounter with the former captains of both clubs sharing the same sentiments that in local football, nothing beats the “Battle of Zimbabwe”.

The other thing that the ex-captains agree on is that the coaches will have very little to do in terms of motivating the players.

Highlanders’ coach Kelvin Kaindu’s famous statement on his social network facebook page, “. . . it shall be well,” has generated interest from the club’s followers who are starting to believe that he is the right man to restore lost glory at Bosso.

Should he lead the Bosso to maximum points tomorrow, the Highlanders’ faithfuls are likely to be indebted to the Zambian expatriate and he will command cult status among the hard-to-please followers of ithimu yezwe lonke.

Kaindu, who is in his first year as a head coach having been an assistant at Zambia’s Zanaco, has a point to prove that he deserves to coach in top flight football.

His Dynamos counterpart Callisto Pasuwa is hard pressed for a positive result especially with winds of change seemingly blowing at the DeMbare side with some sections of the club calling for his sacking.
With this said, tomorrow’s game will definitely be a thriller.

Godfrey Paradza, who captained Dynamos in 1992, said there was little that both coaches could do as the game is self-motivating.

“Certainly tension will be high and the fans will play a big part in driving the players. The Dynamos supporters are vociferous and they will stand for the whole game even when the guys are down while what can be the undoing for Bosso is that their fans only sing when they are doing well.

“These games are self motivating and the coaches won’t have much to do,” said Paradza.

Dazzy  “Walker” Kapenya said the fact that the game had been postponed a number of times had contributed to more interest being generated.

“The coaches as much as they are tacticians, they have little to do as the players are aware that these are the kind of games to prove their worth. Results from the so-called small teams don’t matter. It is the game against Dynamos that used to mean a lot to our supporters. You can win other games and lose to Dynamos and the fans will be hurt.

“However, even if Dynamos are playing bad, they tend to raise their game whenever they play Highlanders,” Kapenya said.

Simba Rusike wished Bosso the best but said the executive had to motivate the players.

“It is important for players to relax and just focus on the game. The executive should come with motivating incentives.

“As for players, games like these are stepping stones and who knows, there might be scouts there and they should maximise this opportunity. Anyway, I wish the best results for Highlanders,” Rusike said.

Desmond “Gazza” Maringwa said the Glamour Boys would be hoping to continue their good run in Bulawayo.

“Playing Highlanders has always been tough but the best performances have always come to Barbourfields. The fans have been awesome and the fact that it’s Highlanders, that rivalry motivates the players,” said Maringwa.