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The showdown will be reminiscent of the era of another Beitbridge derby that pitted the now defunct Border Strikers and former PSL outfit, Underhill which also folded. The match used to be the talk of the Limpopo River  town during the week preceding the clash.

So much will be at stake for both teams who will be out to get the bragging rights in the border town and convince the multitudes of the fans that they are the true Beitbridge soccer ambassadors who can take them to the glory of Premiership football.

Tshintsha Magiya would want to maintain their unbeaten run and atone for last year’s disappointment when they were pipped to the championship by eventual winners Hardbody FC in an incident-filled season where the latter were declared champions by the courts.

The match which has all the ingredients of a thriller will pit teams with contrasting playing styles where Tripple B has a defensive approach to the game and thrive on counter attacks and are yet to concede a single goal this season while FC Strikers have the third sharpest attack in the league having scored 11 goals in four games.

Tripple B would want to maintain the momentum which they carried from last year when their rear guard only conceded 12 goals all season during which goalkeeper Gilbert Chigwandaza kept seven consecutive clean sheets.

Tripple B’s main setback has been the absence of a consistent goal scorer where their goals have tended to come from any of the players.

On the other hand FC Strikers would want to bring back their championship charge back on track after being held to a goalless draw by New Zimsteel in Kwekwe last weekend.

After roping in former Warriors midfielder, Willard Khumalo to take charge of the team, the debutants boast of some experienced players who have had a dance with the topflight league.

The free scoring side boasts of players like former AmaZulu defender, Vorster Chitemu, Danisa Phiri, Patrick “Mboma” Mpofu who caused a stir during his stay at Hwange and Sizalobuhle Dube the scorer of the first hattrick of the year in their 4-1 mauling of Whawha in the season opener.

The Strikers attacking duo of Dube and Mboma will have to summon all their experience, dig dip to breach a Tshintsha Magiya defence which does not crumble easily.

So crucial is the match that both clubs decided to shield their coaches and players from the prying eyes of the media and have not been allowed to give comments ahead of the derby.

Both sides were bullish ahead of the match with FC Strikers president, Ephat Shoko declaring that they are going all out for a win.

Gibson Makhanda, the Tripple B secretary was equally confident saying that his team will be out to prove that they are the bona fide team for Beitbridge fans.

Weekend fixtures:
Today: Silo United vs Vumbachikwe (Mbizo), Jessie Mine vs FC Platinum U 19 (Colleen Bawn), Whawha vs Airstars (Whawha), New Zimsteel vs Chapungu (Torwood), MSU VS Town United (Ascot Stadium), Tripple B vs Strikers FC (Dulibadzimu), Zialanda vs Chrome Stars (Maglass)
Sunday: Blanket Mine vs Tongogara (Blanket)
All matches kick off at 15 00 hrs