Online Reporter
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THE build up to what promises to be a fiercely contested city derby between Chicken Inn and Highlanders at Barbourfields tomorrow got off to a false start when Bosso players refused to train over delayed salaries.
Sources, who witnessed the players arriving at training and refusing to train before dispersing said they were not happy that they had not received their March salaries, with four reported to have been chucked out of their lodgings.
It is said the players wanted to boycott the Independence Cup final against Scottland before reasoning that the country comes first.
“After the intervention of the technical team, who emphasised that there is no bigger occasion than Independence Day, the players agreed to go and play their best at Maphisa, where they lost 1-0 to Scottland,” said the source.
In a statement last night, the club confirmed the situation, insisting that all was being done to ensure Bosso plays Chicken Inn tomorrow and hosts CAPS United at the weekend.
“It’s a matter we are seized with as a club and we are doing everything possible to ensure normalcy returns, the coaches and players concentrate on the two tasks lying ahead, which are Chicken Inn on Wednesday and CAPS United at the weekend,” said the club.
Highlanders confirmed that they owe one month’s salary.
Bulawayo is set to explode with derby fever tomorrow as what is now the city’s fiercest football rivalry takes centre stage on Match Day 8.
A charged atmosphere is already building across the city despite the boys’ industrial action. Highlanders, enjoying massive backing from their ever-passionate supporters, head into the encounter still unbeaten this season, a run that has reignited belief among the Bosso faithful.
Their revival under head coach Benjani Mwaruwari has been impressive, with the former Warriors striker instilling discipline, structure and renewed energy into the squad despite wins eluding the team.
However, Chicken Inn are not short on belief.
“We are ready for Match Day 8 against our brothers, Highlanders, and we assure the Topola Topola fans that after 90 minutes, we will have the bragging rights of the city,” said Chicken Inn head coach, Tonderayi Ndiraya.
Ndiraya, whose side comes into the match on the back of two successive victories, is confident his team has the momentum to challenge the in-form Highlanders.
“We all know Highlanders are a big team — that’s where the excitement comes from. We have won two games in succession and we are going into the match with so much confidence. We are expecting a tough game,” he said.
The seasoned coach highlighted that his team is preparing for more than just individuals.
“We are not playing Highlanders as a team, but as a system. They are yet to taste defeat, and I have great respect for coach Benjani Mwaruwari, who has transformed the team.”
For Highlanders, the derby is an opportunity to extend their unbeaten run and reaffirm their dominance in Bulawayo football. With thousands expected to fill Barbourfields in black and white, the stakes could not be higher.
Chicken Inn, meanwhile, will look to ride their growing confidence and disrupt Bosso’s momentum in a clash where pride and city supremacy are on the line.
When the whistle sounds, form often counts for little in a derby of this magnitude; passion, history and pride usually take centre stage.
Bulawayo will definitely be ready for the derby and Highlanders players’ mental recovery will be key.
In other fixtures scheduled for tomorrow, defending league champions Scottland FC will take on former league champions Dynamos at Rufaro,
ZPC Kariba will entertain Bulawayo Chiefs at Nyhamhunga.
Week Eight Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Fixtures Chicken Inn vs Highlanders (Barbourfields), Scottland FC vs Dynamos (Rufaro), ZPC Kariba vs Bulawayo Chiefs (Nyamhunga. – @FungaiMuderere
Am I the only one who sees Highlanders’ performance differently. The team has seven points out of a possible twenty one, choking up only a 33% success rate. Which exam considers 33% a pass South African exams? Is Highlanders trying to align with South Africa practises? In Zimbabwe 33% is a U and the lowest of all pass rates. Where are we going with glorifying poor performance? If Highlanders completes the season unbeaten by drawing all the games it will amass a paltry 34 points and will certainly get relegated. So where will we place Benjani’s performance? Brilliant? Come on guys, get serious. Where are Chivayo’s millions while players go on strike for salaries so early in the season?