adminSikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
WILL former stars do their boyhood teams any favours today or it will simply be work as usual for former Highlanders and Dynamos players, Methembe Ndlovu and Moses Chunga?
The duo leads their sides Bantu Rovers and Chiredzi respectively to the field this afternoon against Dynamos and Highlanders.
Bosso troop into Chishamiso Stadium in Chiredzi for a date with winless Chunga’s Chiredzi. It is going to be a hostile atmosphere without any doubt but the comforting factor to the Bosso faithful is that their team has conceded just one goal in their last three matches.
Ndlovu’s Tshintsha Guluva face a badly bruised Dynamos side that has lost its last two matches, getting electrocuted by new boys ZPC Kariba 1-0 at the National Sports Stadium before FC Platinum beat them 3-0 on penalties in the Uhuru Cup final at the same venue.
A loss today could see the ever unsteady DeMbare house erupting as the anti-Callisto Pasuwa camp could make an even louder noise, never mind that the season is still in its infancy.
The Harare giants are making their second trip to the City of Kings and Queens after their season opening win over How Mine, courtesy of a Brighton Dube own-goal three minutes before time. They face a buoyant Bantu Rovers who hammered How Mine 3-1 in their last match at Luveve Stadium.
Coach Ndlovu, who announced a clean bill of health for his charges, save for Obadiah Tarumbwa who will have to pass a late fitness test today, said they were ready to face the reigning Premiership champions.
“I only hope the youngsters will not have stage fright because most of them are not used to playing at this level. They are however good players who I’m sure will not be easily intimidated by the stadium atmosphere. The good thing though is that we signed seasoned and experienced guys who have been so helpful to the youngsters,” said the 2006 championship winning coach with Bosso.
Ndlovu also called upon the people of Bulawayo to come in their numbers and cheer his boys on as they bid to add more salt to injury to the Glamour Boys.
While Highlanders supporters know that their team will, during the course of the season, meet Bantu Rovers, today they are likely to rally behind Dynamos’ opponents. Bantu Rovers also has a strong Highlanders influence from coach Ndlovu, to experienced players, defenders Zephania Ngodzo and Lawson Nkomo and striker Tarumbwa.
“I grew up at Highlanders and still remain part of the family and for everyone who grew up at Bosso, it’s no secret that the last thing we want is to have Dynamos coming here in Bulawayo and get all the three points. It’s not going to be easy but we are ready for them,” said Ndlovu.
“At the moment, Dynamos are going through a bad patch and we must seize that opportunity. They must not come to Bulawayo and pretend as if they are at Rufaro Stadium, abayevukela kwabanye, not on us.”
Ndlovu said as Bantu Rovers, they were in the league to compete and win the title but if they fail, the big one would rather go to Highlanders, not Dynamos.
“We want to be clear on that one, it will rather be Bantu Rovers winning it or Highlanders, not any other team, certainly not Dynamos,” said Ndlovu.
Across town, Joe Antipas will be hoping to get back on track when Chicken Inn take on Uhuru Cup holders FC Platinum at Luveve Stadium. The Gamecocks lost their second match to Buffaloes and need to win today’s match.
Fixtures:
Today:
Bantu Rovers v Dynamos (Barbourfields Stadium), Chicken Inn v FC Platinum (Luveve Stadium), Chiredzi v Highlanders (Chishamiso Stadium), ZPC Kariba v Harare City (Gwanzura Stadium).
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