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Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter

PREPARATIONS for a clash pitting Warriors legends and Bafana Bafana legends have gathered momentum with Jonathan Mashingaidze who is part of the organising committee revealing the encounter is scheduled for February next year. 

Mashingaidze, a former Zifa chief executive officer said they will be having a trial run of the encounter by hosting two legs of Legends from the North taking on legends from the South of Zimbabwe on December 22. 

The encounter will be part of festivities to celebrate Unity Day at Barbourfields Stadium. 

“We are going to have two legs, one in Harare and the other in Bulawayo. The first trial run will be on December 22 where legends from the North will play legends from the South. This will be preparation for our hosting of Bafana Bafana legends next year. 

“The match between Zimbabwe and South Africa is set for next February and we are looking forward to lightening up the landscape around Zimbabwe given that before the commencement of the 2023 season this game should provide thrills and spills,” he said.

Mashingaidze said they are expecting big yester year names to take part. 

“Some of the players will come from those players who will play in the North versus South game and some from abroad and those who played in the Dream Team and were part of the Warriors of the 90s. 

“We want the young generation to connect with the yesteryear stars that used to illuminate our game in the 90s and late 80s.

“There is a team that has been put together that has Alexander Maseko coordinating so that we have the Lucas Radebe’s and Doctor Khumalo and John Phiri, Ephraim Chawanda, Ronald Sibanda, Johannes Ngodzo. It will be an action packed match,” said Mashingaidze. 

File photo: Warriors fans enjoying a football match at the National Sports Stadium

There have been memorable encounters between Zimbabwe and South Africa in the past. 

The two sides will rekindle their clashes, especially their first international match from isolation when a Peter Ndlovu-led Warriors strikeforce tore Bafana Bafana to shreds with a 4-1 demolition at the giant National Sports Stadium in August of 1992.

13 fans perished during a 2002 World Cup qualifier between the two sides at the National Sports Stadium on July 9, 2001.

The 13 spectators perished after riot police fired teargas at the crowd resulting in a stampede that led to death of the fans and injury to some.

The teargas was thrown after a section of the fans had thrown missiles onto the pitch in response to a provocative gesture from Bafana Bafana player Delroy Buckley after scoring South Africa’s second goal. — @innocentskizoe