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Grace Chingoma
Senior Sports Reporter
GIANTS Dynamos and Highlanders will bring the 2022 football season’s curtain down when they clash in the Unity Cup at Barbourfields tomorrow after organisers confirmed yesterday the match was on.
There was a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the showdown after ZIFA had said they were not aware of the scheduled tie.
But one of the match’s organisers, sports administrator Tendai “T-Buns” Zhakata, yesterday cleared the air and said they were tying the loose ends ahead of the clash.
The bumper fixture has been lined up as part of the national festivities which will be taking part tomorrow as the country commemorates the 35th anniversary of the National Unity Accord.
“The match is on Thursday (tomorrow) and both teams are training. Dynamos will leave tomorrow (today) for Bulawayo,” said Zhakata when contacted by The Herald yesterday.
Dynamos and Highlanders continued with their preparations yesterday amid reports that Sakunda Energy were coming in to sponsor the game.
Dynamos said they have concluded their training programme and stand guided by the organisers before they travel to Bulawayo.
The energy firm, Sakunda Holdings, is the main sponsor of both teams after agreeing to a combined package of US$5,3 million spread over a period of three years.
The company is yet to confirm whether they are the sponsors of tomorrow’s Unity Cup.
Zhakata refused to disclose the sponsors as yet.
“We are just finalising some aspects of the Cup with the sponsor. We are working on the prize money and other logistics with the sponsor who we cannot disclose at the moment,” he said.
The seasoned administrator said contrary to media reports by ZIFA that they are not aware and have not sanctioned the game, Zhakata says they have furnished ZIFA and the Sports and Recreation Commission with written letters regarding the match.
Yesterday, ZIFA spokesperson, Xolisani Gwesela, said the nature of such games is sometimes organised by the Sports Commission.
The Sports Commission said they are yet to receive the applications for clearance as per procedure from the national association.
The match has presented a perfect opportunity to newly-appointed Dynamos coach Herbert “Jompano” Maruwa to win the hearts of the DeMbare faithful ahead of the new season in 2023.
Maruwa had an opportunity to work with his players closely, giving him a chance to assess the material at his disposal before he builds up his squad for next season.
The coach has been given a nod to make some additions to the squad that finished third last season. Highlanders, on the other hand, have been training under the watchful eye of assistant coach Joel Lupahla.
Both clubs have already started building their squads for the 2023 season after finishing the season empty-handed.
The two clubs are the most supported in Zimbabwe and are unrivalled in terms of success. The giants share between themselves 28 league titles in the 40 seasons that have been completed since Independence in 1980.
They have been involved in some intriguing duels before and after Independence.
The contests, which were later coined “The Battle of Zimbabwe”, have headlined the domestic football landscape over the years. Dynamos hold the distinction of being the most successful club despite being formed much later than Highlanders. They have won an incredible 21 league titles since the club’s formation in 1963. Highlanders are second in terms of success, with seven titles — the last of which was 16 years ago, in 2006.
Online Reporter