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for the first time in four years for a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clash with relegation bound Hardbody at Ascot Stadium.
On any day, this would have been an ordinary match but this is not an ordinary game, it’s a duel that will confirm Hardbody in Division One or give Highlanders’ championship hopes.
For Hardbody, it will be pay day and even if they get relegated they will be assured of a fat cheque as the stadium will be filled to the brim by three different sets of supporters as Dynamos supporters will definitely be at the stadium to support Hardbody.
Highlanders’ last visit to Gweru was on 22 November 2008 when they clashed with a relegation bound Chapungu and the scoreline ended 2-1 in favour of Bosso and on that day Chapungu were condemned to Division One. Cuthbert Malajila scored a brace while Dumisani Mufudze got a consolation goal for the hosts.
Ironically, it was Week 28 of the season, just like tomorrow.
Fears among the Highlanders faithfuls is that the players might be complacent but coach Kelvin Kaindu says the whole army is ready for war tomorrow.
“We know that Hardbody will be fighting like a wounded lion because they are facing relegation but we are fully prepared in all aspects of the game, physically, technically and mentally,” said Kaindu.
He said he will never talk about the adversaries in the league title, Dynamos, because he is a Highlanders coach not Dynamos.
“Like I have always said before, we are only concentrating on our games and believe me, we are not worried an inch about how other teams, Dynamos included, play,” said Kaindu, a favourite for the Coach of the Year accolade after leading Highlanders to a historical 24-match league and cup unbeaten run.
He reported a clean bill of health save for Beavan Chikaka. Kaindu will most certainly unleash the same boys that started against Buffaloes at Barbourfields Stadium on Wednesday.
The man to watch for Hardbody is former son, Stephen Alimenda, who on a good day can tear into shreds any midfield. Alimenda, though, lacks that lightning speed but he compensates that with visionary long passes, that if not countered could prove deadly.
It’s derby time at Luveve Stadium when relegated Quelaton play host to Caf Champions League aspirants Chicken Inn, who are fighting for that spot with Monomotapa who engage Dynamos at Rufaro Stadium tomorrow.
Quelaton might be relegated but derbies are never predictable and Chicken Inn players can undermine the Farai Sibanda coached minnows at their own peril.
Soccer Stars of the Year finalists favourites Felix Chindungwe and Guide Goddard, Chicken Inn’s defence rocks, should be able to shut out any raids from Quelaton who have exciting Mhleli Sibanda in midfield.
The Colliery community will be closely monitoring via cellphones and radio commentary, their team’s match against fellow miners FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium as coaches Nation Dube and Brian Njobvu once again lead Hwange in their fight against relegation. It’s a tough match though but the coalminers might have an edge over the platinum miners even in terms of technical expertise as Tendai Chikuni, the FC Platinum coach, has proven beyond any reasonably doubt that he was better placed as an assistant coach as he let Rahman Gumbo’s second position slot slip to a not so impressive seventh on the log today.
Fixtures
Today: Caps United v Motor Action (Rufaro)
Tomorrow: Quelaton v Chicken Inn (Luveve); Monomotapa v Dynamos (Rufaro); Buffaloes v Black Mambas (Sakubva); Hardbody v Highlanders (Ascot); Blue Rangers v Shabanie (Gwanzura); FC Platinum v Hwange ( Mandava); Gunners v Harare City (Lafarge).
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter