Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS UNITED will put sympathy aside when they host a grieving Highlanders side in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League’s Battle of the Cities at Rufaro Stadium today.
The Green Machine stood with Bosso following the death of chairperson Kenneth Mhlophe, vice-chairperson Sifiso Siziba, treasurer Nkani Khoza and supporter Mbalenhle Sibanda, even buying replica jerseys as a gesture of solidarity with their old rivals.
Today, that brotherhood will be suspended for 90 minutes.
Highlanders return to action determined to honour the three officials and supporter with victory, while CAPS United are seeking to complete a league double over Bosso and end their own poor run.
The two giants are separated by only two points.
CAPS United are sixth with 39 points, while Highlanders sit seventh on 37 points.
Victory would take Benjani Mwaruwari’s men above their hosts, but a CAPS United win would widen the gap and complete the double after the Green Machine’s 2-1 triumph at Barbourfields earlier this season.
That result ended CAPS United’s 11-year wait for a league victory at Emagumeni.
Takesure Chiragwi’s side head into today’s clash after successive 1-0 defeats to TelOne and Hunters.
They have won once, drawn twice and lost twice in their last five matches.
Highlanders are also seeking a response after losing 1-0 to ZPC Kariba before the road accident that claimed Mhlophe, Siziba, Khoza and Sibanda.
For Bosso supporters, today’s match carries more than the usual fight for points and bragging rights.
Lindiwe “China weBosso” Maposa believes victory at Rufaro would be a fitting send-off for the three officials and supporter.
“For us, this match is a send-off to our dear departed,” she said. “We are still in mourning and a win for us will give our heroes the perfect send-off.”
Maposa said the solidarity shown by CAPS United during the mourning period had strengthened the bond between the clubs.
“CAPS United are our brothers. They bought us replica jerseys as we mourned our members,” she said.
“This encounter will be played in a much friendlier atmosphere.”
She joked that had football rules allowed it, CAPS United might have donated the points to their grieving brothers.
But once the whistle blows, Maposa expects Bosso to compete for everything.
She predicted a 2-0 Highlanders victory, but declined to single out a match-winner.
“I believe a collective effort is going to carry the day for us,” she said.
“The players will give their all in honour of the departed.”
CAPS United supporters acknowledge the emotion surrounding Highlanders, but they are not prepared to surrender home advantage.
Alfred “Okocha” Maliana, a staunch CAPS United supporter and chairperson of the Zimbabwe National Soccer Supporters Association Northern Region chapter, said form often counts for little in the Battle of the Cities.
“The Battle of the Cities is not an ordinary match,” Maliana said.
“Such matches are not based on current form.
“CAPS might be struggling at the moment, but when it comes to matches of this magnitude, our boys will surely rise to the occasion.”
Maliana expects the loss of the three Highlanders officials and the supporter to inspire Bosso.
“It is obvious that the Bosso players will dedicate this match to their dear departed,” he said.
“For me, this means Bosso will fight until the last whistle.”
CAPS United also have plenty at stake.
Successive defeats have stalled their campaign and another loss would allow Highlanders to move above them on the table. Victory would complete the double over their old rivals and give Chiragwi’s men the response their supporters have been demanding.
Highlanders will step onto the Rufaro turf carrying the memory of Mhlophe, Siziba, Khoza and Sibanda.
