Giants to meet twice in four days

Tadious Manyepo-Sports Reporter

GIANTS Dynamos and Highlanders are set to clash twice inside four days when they face off, first in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League on Saturday next week at Barbourfields before they engage each other again in the Independence Trophy final at Mt Darwin High School four days later.

The country’s two biggest football teams traditionally play against each other for the Uhuru title which is part of the festivities to celebrate Independence on April 18.

And they will once again feature in the 43rd edition of the prestigious cup.

Unlike in the previous years where they have played in Harare and Bulawayo, the giants will play in Mt Darwin where the main commemorations will be held as the Second Republic decentralises national events in line with the mantra “leaving no place and no one behind”.

And it will be interesting to see the two clubs facing off twice inside four days in matches which are likely to be decided by wits.

The Glamour Boys lead the championship table on goal difference with seven points to their name, same as third-placed Bosso after three games.

But before they clash in the league, they will first have to overcome some seemingly tough hurdles in their way this Easter Holiday.

Bosso will be the first to be in action when they play Chicken Inn at Barbourfields tomorrow.

The explosive Bulawayo derby is expected to draw a capacity crowd given Bosso have been doing well so far this season.

After a disappointing goalless draw against ZPC Kariba in Match-Day One, Highlanders recovered in style after beating Black Rhinos 1-0 at the National Sports Stadium to break a six-year jinx.

They had never beaten the soldiers in Harare since 2017.

And last Sunday, Highlanders beat champions FC Platinum at Barbourfields to break another lengthy jinx at the hands of the Zvishavane team.

A win against Chicken Inn will also help the Bulawayo giants to jump Dynamos on the log until at least on Monday when the Glamour Boys play Cranborne Bullets.

That means Dynamos will only have four days of rest before they play Bosso in their own backyard next weekend.

“We know the matches are coming very fast. We ought to accept that. Football is always like that and it all comes down to how organised you are,” said Dynamos coach Herbert Maruwa.

“Dynamos are a big team and we have a lot of players. We know our responsibilities. Last year, we lost in the Independence Trophy to Highlanders and we cannot afford to lose again this year.

“But, first things first, we have a game against Cranborne on Monday then four days later we play Bosso and we face the same opponents after four days again. That’s about football and we have to adjust so that we give ourselves a chance to win the matches.”

Premiership action starts today with Simba Bhora taking on Yadah at the National Sports Stadium.

The Shamva team are yet to win a match this season after some brutal opening three games against last season’s top three teams FC Platinum, Chicken Inn and Dynamos.

They managed to collect a point against the Glamour Boys in a goalless draw last week and they will be looking for a change of fortunes against Yadah who will be buoyed by the arrival of King Nadolo who is likely to play a role today.

There are four encounters set for tomorrow that will see Black Rhinos and CAPS United facing off at the National Sports Stadium while Ngezi Platinum and Herentals clash at Baobab with FC Platinum hosting Bulawayo Chiefs at Mandava.

Green Fuel and Manica Diamonds play at Gibbo in a Manicaland derby to close the business tomorrow.

Action resumes on Saturday when Hwange host Sheasham at Luveve while ZPC Kariba and Triangle clash at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday before Dynamos and Cranborne Bullets bring down the curtain the busy holidays on Easter Monday.

Match Day 4 fixtures

Today

Yadah v Simba Bhora (NSS)

Tomorrow

Black Rhinos v CAPS United (NSS)

Ngezi Platinum v Herentals (Baobab)

FC Platinum v Bulawayo Chiefs (Mandava)

Chicken Inn v Highlanders (BF)

Saturday

Hwange v Sheasham (Luveve)

Sunday

ZPC Kariba v Triangle (NSS)

Monday

Dynamos v Cranborne Bullets (NSS)

Match Day 5 Fixtures

Friday 14 April

Cranborne Bullets v Yadah (12pm NSS)

Simba Bhora v Hwange (3pm NSS)

Saturday 15 April

Sheasham v Greenfuel (Mandava)

Herentals v ZPC Kariba (NSS)

Manica Diamonds v Ngezi (Gibbo)

Highlanders v Dynamos (BF)

Sunday 16 April

CAPS United v FC Platinum (NSS)

Triangle v Black Rhinos (Gibbo)

Bulawayo Chiefs v Chicken Inn (Luveve)