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Innocent Kurira, [email protected]

AS the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League kicks off, all eyes are on the storied rivalry between Highlanders and Dynamos. This Sunday, the two teams clash in a match that’s less about points and more about pride. While recent years have seen this fixture lose its impact on the championship race, the opening game of the season remains a highly anticipated event.

Highlanders have been chasing the glory of their 2006 league championship win, coming closest under the guidance of coach Kelvin Kaindu. Despite matching Dynamos on points in 2012 and 2013, they fell short on goal difference, leaving the title in their rivals’ hands.

The once-dominant stature of both teams may have waned, but their encounters remain a pulsating showcase of Zimbabwean football passion. The Saturday Chronicle explores the key narratives that make this match Zimbabwe’s own El Clásico.

The master versus the apprentice

Ahead of the big clash, Dynamos head coach Genesis Mangombe has already chosen to carry the underdog tag. It could be just mind games in the battle of the wits between him and Kaindu ahead of the game but the statistics back Mangombe on this one. At 40 years of age, he is six years younger than Kaindu and has achieved far less than the Zambian gaffer who knows Zimbabwean football in and out having played and coached in the country before.

“Yes, CVs may not be at par but we are not going to read much into that, this is a game of two giants and whoever is best on that day will win. I may be an underdog, based on the CV but we have a vision of what we want and where we are headed as a club and we are going to stick to that,” said Mangombe.

Kaindu has never defeated Dynamos as a coach and would want to see away the unwanted record this time around.

What have the coaches said ahead of the clash?

Kaindu: “It is one of the biggest games in the league. I think it is one of the biggest games on the continent of Africa and I think such games should be televised across the continent.”

Mangombe: “We are more than ready; the preparations have gone well. We have tried to instil what we want in terms of the philosophy and the way we want these guys to play. Now they understand it better than last season.”

Have both clubs improved from last season?

The two sides had a common problem last season which was scoring goals. The big question is have they solved their common deficiency? Bosso had Calvin Chigonero and Melikhaya Ncube leading the goal-scoring charts with a paltry three goals while Dynamos had midfielder Donald Mudadi leading with six goals as their top goal scorer. Both sides were defensively sound but their forwards let them down.

For Highlanders, they have let go of Washington Navaya and Stanley Ngala who scored two goals apiece and led the front line last season. Brighton Ncube and Reason Sibanda are in as possible replacements. Ncube is not a typical big striker who focuses solely on scoring goals, but he can mix and play the ball with other players. His hold-up play is outstanding. Sibanda scored eight goals for the newly promoted Arenel last season. Arenel were crowned champions of the Zifa Southern Region Division One. One can only hope the duo will improve the team’s potency in front of goal.

Dynamos on the other hand had the likes of Emmanuel Paga, Eli Elunga, and Jayden Bakare struggling to score. They have tried to address the problem by bringing in Sadney Urikhob but he still has to prove himself.

Midfield battle key

Dynamos had perhaps the most exciting central midfield trio last season comprising Junior Makunike, Donald Mudadi, and Tanaka Shandirwa.

These, with the help of skilful winger Issa Sadiki saw DeMbare overpower Bosso the last time the two sides met. Things have changed a bit this time around with Makunike leaving Dynamos for Simba Bhora while Shandirwa has been receiving criticism for poor performances during pre-season.

Bosso have lost holding midfielder Brighton Manhire to FC Platinum. Attacking midfielder Elshamar Farasi has also been let go by the club. They appear to have enough cover after bringing in Marvin Sibanda who was playing in the USA and also having in their books the likes of Gillian Nyathi and Melikhaya Ncube who can play in the central midfield role.

Capacity Crowd?

The last time the two giants met at the same venue in 2023, the game produced ugly violent scenes that would see the match abandoned with Dynamos leading 2-0. The Premier Soccer League (PSL) and both teams have tried to put measures to uphold peace before, during and after the game.

It remains to be seen if the game will be able to attract a capacity crowd. One might suggest the fixture could see a decrease in the number of fans because of incidents of the past while another will argue that the match will attract a good crowd because it is the first game of the season and people are hungry for football.

PSL Week One fixtures

Saturday

Herentals College v Zifa Eastern Region Champions (Postponed), Caps United v Chicken Inn (Bata Stadium), Arenel Movers v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Luveve Stadium), FC Platinum v Chegutu Pirates (Mandava Stadium), ZPC Kariba v TelOne (Nyamhunga Stadium), Greenfuel v Bulawayo Chiefs (Greenfuel Arena)

Sunday
Manica Diamonds v Simba Bhora (Sakubva Stadium), Highlanders v Dynamos (Barbourfields Stadium), Hwange v Yadah Stars (Colliery Stadium).