Giants lead way in Project Restart

Eddie Chikamhi

Senior Sports Reporter

IT’S been a very long wait for the rain –491 days for Dynamos, without kicking a ball, in a competitive match, for the first time, in the Glamour Boys’ history.

It has also been a long wait for action – 410 days for Highlanders, without kicking a ball, in a competitive match.

For the Glamour Boys, the last time was in the Lowveld, in a losing cause, when they brought their 2019 season to an end, with a 1-2 defeat to Triangle.

For Bosso, the last time was on the green grass of home at Barbourfields, in a losing cause, when they were beaten, in the Castle Challenge Cup, by FC Platinum.

That was in March last year.

Tomorrow, the long wait comes to an end when the country’s biggest football clubs set the ball rolling for domestic football’s Project Restart at the National Sports Stadium.

They will battle in the President’s Independence Trophy final in what is likely to be a virtual talent show.

The two giants are keen to show off their new signings, in the first domestic football match, in more than a year.

Not since Bosso hosted, and lost 0-2 to FC Platinum, in the Castle Challenge Cup at Barbourfields, in March last year, has a domestic football match been held, in this country.

The national game was brought to a sudden halt after that match as authorities intervened to ensure sport would not be transformed into a fertile ground for the spread of Covid-19.

Only international matches featuring the Warriors in their AFCON qualifiers and the CAF inter-club matches have been allowed to go ahead, during that period.

However, the long wait for football fans, who have been desperate to see their favourite clubs back in action, even from a distance, will come to an end at the giant stadium tomorrow.

The two giants are expected to renew their rivalry, in a match which will be part of the activities, to celebrate the country’s 41st Independence anniversary. 

The game will be played behind closed doors in line with the Government and World Health Organisation Covid-19 prevention and containment protocols. 

Both Dynamos coach, Tonderai Ndiraya, and his Bosso counterpart, Mandla Mpofu, have been busy beefing up their sides in anticipation of the return of domestic football. 

DeMbare have an array of new names on their roaster, such as Shadreck Nyahwa, Juan Mutudza, Barnabas Mushunje, Tinotenda Chiunye, Stephen Appiah, King Nadolo Albert Eonde, goalkeeper Tymon Mvula, Lennox Mutsetse, Tanaka Chidhobha, Sylvester Appiah, Byron Madzokere and David Temwanjira. 

They also recently unveiled Trevor Mavhunga, Frank Makarati, Tinashe Makanda, Newman Sianchali and Luke Musikiri. 

All these players are yet to play in DeMbare colours and fans could have a glimpse of their quality and value as the match is set to be broadcast live on ZBC television.

Bosso managed to retain the bulk of their squad and this week they unveiled seven new signings, who include 2019 Soccer Star of the Year Joel Ngodzo, Pritchard Mphelele, Winston Mhango, Andrew Tandi, Toto Banda, Lynoth Chikuhwa and Chrispen Ncube.

“If you ask me, we now have a better squad than we had last year,” said Ndiraya. 

“Although we did not play any games last year we still went on to beef up the squad. 

“It takes a while to build a strong team. A team is built gradually and this is what we have been doing.

“Our fans have suffered for a very long time, I must admit, and I think it’s high time that we start to really perform at the levels that we are expected to, as Dynamos. 

“They should expect a very decent performance on Sunday but, of course, they mustn’t expect much, in terms of intensity, because of the fitness levels of the team, and the individual players. 

“But, we are really going to engage Highlanders in a serious manner,and hope to get the cup.”

However, the Bosso duo of Mphelele and winger Banda are doubtful for the tie after they picked up injuries during training. 

Mpofu said the duo were scheduled to undergofitness tests. 

“It’s unfortunate that Banda and Mphelele have picked up injuries and we hope they won’t be out for long, seeing that we are only starting pre-season,” he said.

“Their availability will depend on the medical team’s assessment but we won’t risk them, if they are not okay.”

Dynamos last played a competitive match in December 2019.

It’s the first time, since their formation in 1963, that the country’s biggest, and most successful football club, have not played a competitive match, for this long.

Ndiraya said the Glamour Boys have appealed to the organisers of the match, for a waiver, to allow the two teams to field as many substitutes, as possible, because of the fitness concerns.

“It’s expected that when these two teams meet, we don’t normally engage in friendly matches,” said Ndiraya.

“So, it will be a crunch clash between the two teams and the good thing is we are going to meet, almost at the same level. 

“They started training a bit late, like we did. I think the two teams had precisely less than seven days to prepare for this match. 

“So, that is really going to assist both sides to manage things on the day, in terms of fitness and we are very optimistic. 

“We have appealed and I am sure the team has appealed, as well, on behalf of us. I think we will get feedback before the game kicks off. 

“I am confident ZIFA are handling the issue and our hope is that when they go for the pre-match meeting, that issue of substitutes will be addressed. 

“I can say, latest Saturday, we should be knowing what is really going to happen before we make our team selection.”

Dynamos and Highlanders featured in the last Independence Cup in 2019. 

Bosso won the match 2-0 courtesy of goals from Bukhosi Sibanda and Tinashe Makanda, who has since crossed the floor to join DeMbare.