Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere
Zimpapers Sports Hub
DYNAMOS coach Kelvin Kaindu makes an emotional return to Barbourfields Stadium this weekend, but this time, he walks in as the enemy.
The Harare giants face Highlanders in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League fixture that could shape both teams’ survival hopes and fire up memories of one of the league’s fiercest rivalries.
It’s Kaindu’s first trip back to Emagumeni since parting ways with Bosso in June. He has since steadied the Glamour Boys, pulling them from a relegation scare and restoring belief among fans who had begun to fear the unthinkable.
“I think this fixture comes at the right time because we’ve been doing well, picking up points in our fight to survive,” said Kaindu.
“It will be exciting to come back to Barbourfields. This match will come with a lot of emotions for me, especially with some of my friends still in Bulawayo. But the game has to be played, and we’re looking forward to it.”
The weekend showdown will serve as a dress rehearsal for the Chibuku Super Cup semi-final, where the two sides meet again next week at Rufaro. Their first league meeting in Harare ended goalless, and both camps know how much this one means, emotionally and on the log table.
Dynamos remain unbeaten under Kaindu and sit 14th with 33 points, tied with Bikita Minerals, who also hover near the drop zone. Bosso, now led by Dutchman Pieter “Champ” de Jongh, are ninth on 35, level with CAPS United.
Barbourfields is expected to be packed as DeMbare fans make the trip west, hopeful that captain Emmanuel Jalai, creative spark Denver Mukamba, and Bulawayo born winger Shadreck Nyawa will shine against their old rivals.
For Highlanders, veterans Ariel “Mangoye” Sibanda and Andrew Mbeba, alongside Melikhaya Ncube, Never Rauzhi, Mason Mushore, and Nigerian teenager Benjamin Oluwarotimi Adeogun, are expected to carry the fight. Adeogun, nicknamed Ndlangamandla, has quickly made a name for himself as Bosso’s first ever Nigerian signing.
Meanwhile, the Premier Soccer League has summoned Ngezi Platinum Stars and coach Takesure Chiragwi to a disciplinary hearing over violent scenes during their match against Dynamos at Rufaro on October 4.
Chiragwi is accused of violent and disorderly conduct after slapping his own player, McDonald Makuwe, following Dynamos’ disputed equaliser. The club also faces charges of disturbing match proceedings and improper behaviour by its technical team. The hearing is set for October 28 at 5:30 pm at the PSL offices.
Week 31 Fixtures
Yadah v ZPC Kariba (Heart Stadium), FC Platinum v TelOne (Mandava), Bikita Minerals v Herentals (Gibbo), Highlanders v Dynamos (Barbourfields), Triangle v Chicken Inn (Gibbo), Ngezi Platinum v CAPS United (Baobab), Scottland v MWOS (Rufaro), Greenfuel v Kwekwe United (Greenfuel Arena).
