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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
FANS hoping to watch the epic Highlanders FC-Caps United clash should up their budget after Bosso got the nod to hike the gate charges for Sunday’s Premiership game at Barbourfields Stadium. Those intending to watch the game from the rest of the ground will have to pay $5, up from $3 with the wings’ fee doubled to $10 while the VIP enclosure entry fee is $15.
Highlanders want to maximise on the high-profile encounter and in the process boost their coffers.
Only holders of the PSL complimentary privilege cards will be afforded free entry into the stadium.
“In the spirit of realising as much revenue as possible so that the club can meet its financial obligations, there’ll be strict controls of people entering the stadium. Unless a person has a privilege card, no one will be allowed free entry,” reads a club statement.
Games involving Highlanders and Caps United always attract big turnouts and Sunday is likely to be a good pay day for the Bulawayo giants who are in financial doldrums.
Apart from Highlanders generating more revenue, service providers like the Bulawayo City Council, the Sport and Recreation Commission and the police who chew the bulk of the money will be smiling all the way to the bank after the match.
Besides the monetary gain for Bosso, the encounter against Caps United presents them with an opportunity to make amends for their last defeat to the Harare giants in the Bob 91 Super Cup on March 1.
Highlanders lost 1-2 to Caps United after succumbing to goals from Roderick Mutuma and Takudzwa Mahori. Obidiah Tarumbwa – ruled out of the weekend game due to injury – rose from the bench to score the consolation goal for Bosso. Tarumbwa had been introduced after the hour mark, replacing Gabriel Nyoni.
Bosso’s display in the opening 30 minutes of the Bob 91 Super Cup elimination match had given hope to its followers, only to crumble to Mutuma and Leonard Tsipa’s experience.
Bosso had from the first whistle looked compact at the back with Douglas Sibanda and Teenage Hadebe bottling Mutuma while Tendai Ngulube and Nqobizitha Masuku were firmly in control in the midfield, winning most duels.
The interchange of passes by Bosso ignited support from their fans and this seemed to foster confidence in the players with striker Thomas Chideu even trying long range shots after beautiful build-ups.
However, as it has been the case for Bosso in almost all the matches that they’ve played this year, they failed to turn their dominance into goals – something that fans want to see.
Caps United were all over Bosso after taking a 2-0 comfortable lead and on Sunday they face a new Highlanders squad driven by a different ambition.
It’s not the same Bosso side that was rounding up its pre-season preparations but it’s a Highlanders side that is hungry for points.
Having been under the spotlight for a while, Highlanders’ coach Bongani Mafu will be hard-pressed to prove that the away 1-0 win over Dongo Sawmill wasn’t a fluke.
On the other hand, Caps United’s season has not been rosy as they have been hit by in-house problems.
The Green Machine players hogged the limelight for wrong reasons on Week Three, boycotting a game against How Mine. The players had travelled to Bulawayo only to refuse to go to the match venue.
On Sunday after their 1-1 draw with ZPC Kariba, there were unconfirmed reports that the Caps United players stormed cashiers’ room demanding payment.
With an unstable side, it remains to be seen if Makepekepe players will be able to brush aside their problems and direct their energy towards the Bosso encounter.
Caps United are on position 10 with eight points, two points behind fourth placed Highlanders.
Fixtures
Friday: FC Platinum v Tsholotsho FC (Mandava)
Saturday: How Mine v Whawha (Barbourfields, 3PM SuperSport), ZPC Kariba v Flame Lily (Gwanzura)
Sunday: Highlanders v Caps United (Barbourfields, 3PM SuperSport), Buffaloes v Chapungu (Sakubva), Hwange v Dongo Sawmill (Colliery), Triangle United v Harare City (Gibbo), Dynamos v Chicken Inn (Rufaro).
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