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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter—
BULAWAYO giants Highlanders’ plans to throw in rookies in the Gushungo Celebrations Challenge Cup against perennial rivals Dynamos at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow have gone up in smoke after organisers said only Premier Soccer League registered players should be used. Bosso were hoping to use players who were likely to be with them next year after numerous attempts to beat Dynamos with the current crop of players yielded nothing.
However, the challenge match rules state that only players that the two clubs were using during the just ended Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matches should be used.
“We would’ve wanted to feature players that were likely to be with us next year, however, I’ve just received the challenge match rules. Our wish will no longer be possible,” said the Highlanders chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede.
Organising committee spokesperson, renowned football commentator Charles Mabika, also confirmed the development.
“We felt it might cause some confusion hence the decision to stick only to the registered players,” said Mabika.
Dynamos have already declared their intention of continuing their dominance over Highlanders by lifting the Gushungo Celebrations Cup on Sunday.
“We’re serious with our preparations and everyone’s eager to play. We’re taking the match seriously and definitely we’re keen to win the cup,” said DeMbare manager Richard Chihoro.
Stand in Bosso coach Mark Mathe, like his predecessor Kelvin Kaindu, said the match has more to do with their players’ mental strength than the tactical input from the bench.
“We’ve been talking to our players, it’s all about mental strength. We lose to Dynamos because of lack of mental strength,” said Mathe in an interview with our Harare Bureau.
Winners of the Challenge Cup will pocket $45,000 while losers are set to bank $35,000. According to Mabika, the match will go straight into the penalty lottery in the event of a stalement after regulation time.
The match is meant to celebrate President Mugabe’s crushing victory in the harmonised elections last year and his chief election agent, Emmerson Mnangagwa, is set to be the guest of honour.
derick.khumalo