Chronicle Editor
Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
IT was once the showpiece fixture in the local league, but that has since changed.
The two sides would normally produce epic clashes in the past — some of which went a long way in determining the league winners.
Who could forget the two explosive back-to-back encounters in 2004? The two fixtures are among the best league matches to be witnessed in the last two decades.
Highlanders and CAPS United featured in a 3-3 deadlock at Barbourfields Stadium before the former became the only side to overcome Charles Mhlauri’s men in another thriller that ended 4-3 in Bosso’s favour at the National Sports Stadium.
Gift “Thebe” Lunga, who played for both Highlanders and CAPS United believes the encounters between the two sides have always been fierce.
“This is a massive game. These are two big teams. It’s a pressure game and no one wants to lose this game.
“If you look at the situation Caps United find themselves in, victory against Highlanders could be a confidence booster and a major turnaround in their fortunes for the season.
“I can tell you that every player from Harare or anywhere in the country enjoys and wants to play at Barbourfields Stadium.
“What makes these games more exciting than even the battle of Zimbabwe is that the atmosphere for this one is not as tense and hostile. These are two teams playing football and nothing beyond that,” said Lunga.
Lunga turned out for Highlanders between 1995 and 2004 before joining Makepekepe for a two-year stint. He, however, later returned to Bosso. He won four league titles with Highlanders from 1999 to 2002, before missing a fifth medal in 2006 when he was at CAPS United.
The winger-turned-defender played a part in the historic 2004 back-to-back Battle of the Cities fixtures.
Gabriel Nyoni who also played for both teams also feels the game has not lost its meaning.
“To me, playing against Highlanders when I joined Caps United felt unnatural. I had spent about six years at Highlanders so it felt weird.
The atmosphere is always tense in big games like these. When it comes to Highlanders against Caps United it’s a clean game. The fans can expect to see good football from both sides unlike when it’s Highlanders and Dynamos where emotions sometimes spoil the game,” said Nyoni.
Asked to give a prediction, Nyoni jokingly said: “On this one I would love my “home” Highlanders to win and my “family” Caps United to take the three points.
Highlanders are currently sixth on the log and the Green Machine are on position 12.
Fixtures
Saturday
ZPC Kariba v Dynamos (Nyamhunga 1pm), Black Rhinos v Chicken Inn (Vengere), Ngezi Platinum v FC Platinum (Baobab), Harare City v Bulawayo Chiefs (NSS), Bulawayo City v Yadah (Barbourfields), WhaWha v Triangle (Ascot)
Sunday
Manica Diamonds v Cranborne Bullets (Vengere), Herentals v Tenax (NSS), Highlanders v Caps United (Barbourfields).
l All matches at 3pm unless stated.
Online Reporter