Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi, Zimpapers Sports Hub
Dynamos 0-0 Highlanders
THE Battle of Zimbabwe may have lost some of its fire, but it still means something, at least to the faithful who turned up at Rufaro Stadium yesterday, hoping for sparks in the capital’s chilly afternoon.
In the end, a goalless draw was all that Dynamos and Highlanders could muster in a match long known for drama, noise and nationwide attention, but now forced to share the spotlight with new boys like MWOS and Scottland, whose sold-out top of the table clash in Norton a day earlier arguably stole the weekend’s thunder.
So the question lingers: is this storied rivalry still the country’s biggest football attraction?
The jury remains out.
With both giants floundering in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League and weighed down by internal issues, especially in the Dynamos camp, this fixture failed to deliver the kind of electricity that once brought Zimbabwe to a standstill.
There was, however, a respectable turnout despite a section of Dynamos supporters calling for a boycott. The stadium slowly filled as the game wore on, but by the standards of this historic rivalry, it was a subdued atmosphere.
Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu, one of the staunch believers in the enduring significance of this clash, admitted that the current league positions of both clubs had taken some shine off the fixture.
“I think it still remains the big game here,” said the Zambian gaffer. “Of course, if you look at the positions where both teams are, I think in the past it has never been like this. I remember the last time we were here, I think in 2012 or 2013, it was always Highlanders and Dynamos at the top, and the excitement would come from the fans.
“But us being in ninth and Dynamos also down there, that vibe is probably missing. Still, with the way this game went, I think there’s something left to fight for,” said Kaindu.
Bosso were the more relieved of the two sides, having ended a run of two straight defeats. The Bulawayo giants put in a composed shift, with standout performances from Andrew Mbeba, Mason Mushore and Mafious Chihweta, all of whom are part of the national team squads heading to Morocco and the Cosafa Cup this week.
The game itself was tightly contested.
Dynamos had the early momentum, with Brandon Jerimani forcing Bosso goalkeeper Raphael Pitisi off his line to punch away a dangerous cross inside the first 30 minutes. At the other end, Prince Tafiremutsa pulled off a brilliant save, denying Reason Sibanda’s point blank header in the 23rd minute.
DeMbare skipper Emmanuel Jalai was immense, especially when he slid in to stop Brighton Ncube just before the break. Jalai found strong support in Temptation Chiwunga, Shadreck Nyahwa, Jerimani, Tellmore Pio and Ghanaian forward Frank Agyemang, but Dynamos simply couldn’t break a winless league streak that has now stretched to 10 games.
It’s one of the longest barren runs in recent memory for the Harare giants, and their fans are growing restless.
Early in the second half, disgruntled Dynamos supporters began gesturing toward the technical bench, calling for changes as Highlanders started to dominate. Jalai, who had taken a knock to the teeth earlier, soldiered on, visibly in pain.
Agyemang had the chance to snatch the win late on after chesting down inside the box, but his tame effort on the turn summed up DeMbare’s struggles.
Dynamos remain third from bottom with 10 points. Coach Saul Chaminuka, who took over from Lloyd Chigowe, is still searching for his first win after two draws and a defeat.
“We have only played three games since I arrived,” said Chaminuka. “If we were to play like a team that has dropped from Heaven, people would ask questions. It’s a work in progress and we’ll get there.
“We, as players and technical staff, know what our shortcomings are and we are working on them. But it can’t happen overnight. I just ask our fans to be patient, that time will come when we can play and win games that are exciting to watch.”
Teams
Dynamos: Prince Tafiremutsa, Emmanuel Jalai, Nomore Chinyerere, Clive Mandivei, Abel Gwatidzo, Shadreck Nyahwa, Tellmore Pio, Brandon Jerimani (A. Mandinyenya, 68th min), Enasio Perezo, Temptation Chiwunga, Frank Agyemang
Highlanders: Raphael Pitisi, Andrew Mbeba, Talent Dube, Arthur Ndlovu, Marlven Hativagone, Melikhaya Ncube, Reason Sibanda, Prince Ndlovu (H. Ncube, 68th min), Mason Mushore, Mafious Chihweta, Brighton Ncube (N. Rauzhi, 63rd min)
