Uhuru Cup venue poser DYNAMOS Football Club chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
ORGANISERS of the Independence Cup could be faced with a venue poser for the third place play-off, especially if the country’s two biggest sides Highlanders and Dynamos lose their semi-final ties tomorrow in Bulawayo and Harare respectively.

The third place play-off is traditionally played at White City Stadium, venue for the main Independence Day celebrations in Bulawayo, but reality on the ground is that the stadium is too small to host crowds for a match pitting the two footballing giants.

Bosso take on FC Platinum at Barbourfields Stadium, while Dynamos entertain league champions Chicken Inn at Rufaro Stadium. Both giants lost their league matches to the same opponents this month.

Despite the match being a so-called low key encounter, any clash between Highlanders and Dynamos is never taken on the chin as the rivalry between them is so raw that each set of fans always takes satisfaction in each other’s misery.

There is no friendly match between the two sides and they have always clashed in the final of the Independence Cup.

White City Stadium has a seating capacity of just under 2,500, but the two teams can attract a paying crowd 10 times that figure.

“Naturally we might have to consult, but as it stands, the play-off is set for White City Stadium. You’re raising a genuine issue and the State has to advise us since this is a State event,” said Zifa general secretary Jonathan Mashingaidze.

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