Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere [email protected]
THE Battle of Bulawayo resumes today at Barbourfields Stadium, with Highlanders holding the psychological edge as they prepare to face city rivals Chicken Inn in a rescheduled Castle Lager Premier Soccer League fixture.
The encounter comes just three days after the two sides renewed their rivalry in the first round of the Chibuku Super Cup at the same venue, where Highlanders once again emerged victorious following a tense penalty shootout.
Sunday’s cup clash ended goalless after regulation time before Bosso held their nerve from the spot to secure a 3-1 victory, booking their place in the quarter-finals and bringing Chicken Inn’s cup campaign to an abrupt end.
But today’s match carries even greater significance for the Gamecocks.
Highlanders claimed a 3-1 victory in the first-leg league encounter, meaning Chicken Inn head into the latest instalment of the derby desperate to settle scores and avoid another defeat at the hands of their biggest city rivals.
The quick turnaround gives both teams limited recovery time, but neither side will need motivation ahead of one of Bulawayo’s most fiercely contested fixtures.
Three league points.
Bulawayo bragging rights.
And for Chicken Inn, an opportunity to finally break Bosso’s recent dominance.
The Gamecocks can take encouragement from Sunday’s cup tie, where they matched Highlanders throughout the 90 minutes and prevented them from finding a breakthrough.
Their biggest concern, however, remains their lack of cutting edge in the final third.
Highlanders, meanwhile, will draw confidence from their recent superiority in the fixture and the momentum generated by progression in the Chibuku Super Cup.
Bosso, however, know there is little room for complacency. Facing the same opponents twice within three days presents a unique challenge, with physical and mental fatigue likely to play a significant role as the contest unfolds.
The intensity traditionally associated with the derby is also expected to remain high.
Highlanders will once again look to experienced campaigners Andrew Mbeba, Rainsome Pavari and Kudakwashe Mahachi for leadership, while goalkeeper Aaron “Arusha” Ngwenya is expected to provide stability between the posts.
Chicken Inn, meanwhile, will need a much-improved attacking display if they are to convert possession and chances into goals and deny Bosso a league double. With Sunday’s cup encounter still fresh in the minds of players and supporters alike, today’s rematch promises another fiercely contested battle.
Highlanders have already won the first league meeting and eliminated Chicken Inn from the cup. The Gamecocks now have 90 minutes to alter the narrative.
The first battle belonged to Bosso. The cup contest also went their way. Today, Chicken Inn have another opportunity to respond and Barbourfields is set for another chapter in the Battle of Bulawayo.
— @FungaiMuderere.
