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Brandon Moyo
THE stage is set for an enthralling conclusion to the 2024 Bulawayo Metropolitan Rugby Football Board (BMRFB) Archer Clothing Rugby league that comes to an end on Saturday at the city’s ceremonial home of rugby, Hartsfield Rugby Grounds.
Three high-end matches are lined up for the final day that will see the curtain come down on what has been an entertaining past few months of rugby. There will be the ladies final early on before action shifts to the men’s third-place play-off and final.
In the ladies final, Matabeleland Warriors Ladies — who have had an unbeaten run will be up against Highlanders in a match that promises fireworks. After the ladies’ finale, there will be a grudge third-place playoff encounter between Western Suburbs Panthers and Highlanders.
The headlining match will be a derby final between defending champions Matabeleland Warriors and Old Miltonians (OMs). The two sides have been at each other’s throats since the start of the campaign and it will be the winner takes all on Saturday.
Going into tomorrow’s encounter, the two giants have played against each other twice this season, both winning once. That is the same case with Panthers and Highlanders. Speaking after their semi-final win over Panthers last weekend, Warriors head coach Aubrey Dube said they were expecting a tough challenge in the final but was confident his side will be able to cross the line and defend their title.
“The OMs final will be a tough one, but I’m sure we will come out tops. We’ve got most of our players back so we will be at full strength next weekend, and people will see the might of the Warriors,” said Dube. His opposite number, Victor Chiwara said most of the pressure will be on the defending champions. However, he believes that it would be fitting to cap off their impressive campaign by landing the big prize.
“Any good team will always want to win so there’s always that pressure to win. We have worked hard this year and we really want to cap it off with a win, but I think there’s more pressure on Warriors because they are the defending champions. We are the little horse that’s growing and we are looking forward to the game,” said Chiwara.
With the derby promising fireworks, the third-place playoff encounter will be equally entertaining and Highlanders coach, Silethokuhle “Slater” Ndlovu is looking forward to the challenge and has his eyes set on making it a double.
“We are still building and I promise fireworks. There is definitely going to be fireworks. We did not defend well in our previous game but I can assure you, we will take it to another level in the next game. I can personally assure you that I will score a try. We will make sure we win that game,” said Ndlovu.
Panthers coach, George “Rollo” Mukorera said they will look to play according to their strengths and is confident that his youthful team will give their opponents a good run for their money. “I think against Highlanders we will play the ball on the back line, as this has been our strength. I think Highlanders’ strength is in the forwards. They have bigger boys, but we will try to be more mobile with our youngsters and give them a good run for the money,” said Mukorera.
The matches are scheduled to start at 1pm. The ladies’ final will get the ball rolling at 1pm followed by the men’s third-place play-off encounter at 2.30pm. The headlining derby final match is pencilled in to start at 4pm. Entry is pegged at US$1.—@brandon_malvin
Online Reporter