Do-or-die PSL tie

Lovemore Dube Sports Editor
HIGHLANDERS FC legend Dazzy Kapenya has predicted victory for his former club in the do-or-die clash with Dynamos which could ultimately decide the destiny of the Castle Lager Premiership title.The two clubs clash in Zimbabwe’s biggest soccer showcase at Barbourfields Stadium during a weekend dominated by derbies elsewhere all over the globe.

Kaizer Chiefs take on Orlando Pirates this weekend in the big South African derby. Kapenya described the match as a self-motivating game which every player should be prepared to sacrifice for.

“During our days every player would love to be part of the team on the day. Those on the injury list would want to recover quickly and be part of the squad. It was a game you wanted to be part of and be in the winning team.

“Our coaches used to say national team gaffers would be there, selectors of the Soccer Star of the Year would be in full swing, so you wanted to play your best and be separated from the boys,” said Kapenya.

The weekend will be a great one for football as the  in English Premier League Liverpool will engage Everton in the Merseyside derby while in the La Liga the El Classico explodes when Barcelona takes on Real Madrid.

Kapenya – one of the best defenders to don the Bosso jersey – said when Madinda Ndlovu signed him up in 1997 he predicted that within two months the defender would be among the best players in the land.

He went on to win four league titles with Highlanders and was crowned Soccer Star of the Year. With that feat he joined the list of impressive defenders who won the prestigious accolade who include the late Mercedes Sibanda, James Takavada, Ephert Lungu, and Ephraim Chawanda.

“It’s obvious Highlanders will win. It is not going to be an easy match the least though could be a draw which will still be good enough for Bosso as they seek to win the championship,” said Kapenya as he took a break at Josiah Chinamano Primary School where he is coaching juniors.

He said the match would live up to its billing and appealed to Bosso players to remain calm. He said they should just stick to basics and do what they are familiar with so as to reduce a high turnover rate of losing the ball.

Kapenya said supporters would have to be the 12th player needed to push the boys. He appealed to the Highlanders fans not to be good weather supporters but to rally behind the boys even when the chips are down.

“I admire Dynamos supporters for one thing. They support their team from start to finish. I am saying to all Bosso fans let us emulate that and cheer the boys from the first whistle to the last,” Kapenya said.

The former Warriors defender who played at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Tunisia, said the Dynamos-Highlanders game was a unique one in the country.

“It gets the whole country to a standstill. Even if you do not support the two you are eager to find out about the result, the atmosphere at the stadium is something else,” said Kapenya.

When he joined Highlanders, Dynamos were the top side in the country. They had experienced players who played with a lot of purpose.
“We were young boys in 1997, they already had some experienced players like Kaitano Tembo and Tauya Murewa who gave us problems. Murewa was fast and could shoot with both feet so you had to be at your best to shut him out,” said the former Corrugated, Highlanders, Sporting Lions and Manning Rangers defender.

Nicknamed “Des Walker”, he was a difficult to beat defender who often read his markers well. He was good at methodical build ups from the back where he used his skill and intelligence to set up many Bosso attacks in a defence which had Bekithemba Ndlovu now assistant coach, Thulani Ncube, Noel Kaseke and Melusi Ndebele.

Kapenya described the 28 February 1999 clash with Dynamos which they won 2-0 as his best game against the Harare giants. His club had been advised on the eve of the match that he and Zenzo Moyo were ineligible because they had accumulated three yellow cards each.
Peter Dube, then secretary and his chairman Roger Muhlwa stubbornly used the two players arguing that they should have been advised well in advance.

Kapenya was rock solid in defence while Moyo scored on the afternoon as Highlanders won their second title after the formation of the Premier Soccer League in 1993. It was to be the club’s third after 1990.

“That was one of my most memorable games. Barbourfields Stadium was full to the brim, as players we were united and eager to achieve things. We had a good technical team and a management and supporters that wanted glory.

“We gave the game our best shot knowing that a win would guarantee us the championship and I hope the same happens for these boys on Sunday,” he said.

It is hoped the match will be played in a gamely atmosphere with fans of the losing team embracing the result in a true sporting manner.
Hopes are high the referees appointments committee will come up with the best set of match officials who will not spoil the day for the paying public.