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Innocent Kurira, [email protected]

IT ended goalless but Barbourfields Stadium was filled up – almost to the brim. It will be recorded as the best crowd to attend a football match this season so far.

Soccer Highlanders v Dynamos

The goals may not have come but it was not a bore. The chances came for both sides but the clear cut ones were few.

Here are five talking points from the latest instalment of the “Battle of Zimbabwe”

1. The Crowd
Gate charges were hiked from the normal US$2 to US$5. There was an uproar over the charges. There were doubts on if the fans would come in numbers. Football lovers did not disappoint as they came in droves to watch the Premiership’s flagship game. Asked on his thoughts on the crowd that attended the game, Dynamos coach Herbert Maruwa thought the crowd was an indication the two sides were still giants.

2. Brito’s shock tactical move
Brito played Andrew Mbeba as an attacking right winger while Brighton Manhire occupied the right back position. The right side provided little for Highlanders and left fans shocked on the intended move by Brito.

Highlanders coach Baltemar Brito

3. Dynamos sing famous Bosso song
Just after the 35th minute mark Dynamos fans broke into the Famous “into oyenzayo siyayizonda” song as they protested some of the referees decision.

The song, famous with Bosso fans, was belted out with anger from the Mpilo end where Dynamos fans set base much to the amusement of Bosso fans who in turn responded with their “Siyangena” chant the next moment the referee made a call against Highlanders.

4. Brito Calls Maruwa for Joint Presser
Normally the media hold post match press conferences for coaches separately, but with the coaches having arrived at the same time, Bosso coach Baltemar José de Oliveira Brito decided to hold a joint presser with his counterpart

5. Bosso Shun Mobile Money?
A number of fans were seen milling outside the VIP stands stranded as they quizzed if they could pay with either swipe or EcoCash. Normally, fans have access to the venue through different forms of transactions but it appears Bosso only took cash for yesterday’s clash.
— @innocentskizoe