Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube. [email protected]
TWO players who set Barbourfields Stadium alight during their times in the local league, Noel Kaseke of Highlanders and Dynamos’ Wonder Sithole, say there is no other game in Zimbabwe like the two’s clash.
The match, christened The Battle of Zimbabwe takes place this afternoon with heavy traffic towards Bulawayo expected this morning. These are the most supported football clubs and between them they have won 29 championships.
Kaseke was a skillful right back while Sithole was an attacking midfielder of note who mesmerized opponents at will and scored many beautiful goals.
“This is the biggest game in the local league. The whole of Bulawayo will be at the stadium and many will come from Mzansi (South Africa) for the match. Others from all the corners of Zimbabwe will make their way to Bulawayo.
There is no other match as big as this one,” said Sithole who moved to DeMbare from Masvingo United and played Champions League football.
Sithole said the game is very special to all the players and the coaches.
“It is one big tie in Zimbabwe football that every player wants to be part of. I remember even when I played for Masvingo United playing at Barbourfields Stadium was very special and I wanted to play for Dynamos some day and be part of the big match. So when I moved to Dynamos I realised my dream to be part of the biggest match,” said Sithole.
He said the match itself was self-motivating and they always cherished as DeMbare silencing the Soweto Stand with beautiful goals.
“It is something you feel as great when we get to hear the Dynamos supporters end taking over the cheering noise with home fans in silence and denial,” said Sithole who is now the secretary-general of the Footballers union of Zimbabwe.
In his time Sithole said he faced some enterprising Highlanders midfielders who included Johannes Ngodzo, Vusa Nyoni and Honour Gombami.
“The Bosso midfielders I played against were Johannes Ngodzo, Vusa Nyoni and Honour Gombami. I played against Charles Chilufya and Richard Choruma towards the end of their careers most of the matches while still at Masvingo United,” he said.
Sithole featured in Dynamos outfit which had Desmond Maringwa, Justice Majabvi, Tafadzwa Maingire, Milton Makopa and Leo Kurauzvione.
He acknowledged the fixture as the toughest as well despite being self-motivating.
“It was a difficult match, pressure from the fans and your own high expectations as an individual player knowing that the whole of Zimbabwe had eyes on that game. No matter how bad we were performing, our act came together for that tie,” said Sithole who was with Dynamos from 2008 to 2013.
Kaseke also alluded to the magnitude of the game.
“Dynamos and Highlanders are Zimbabwe football. They are the biggest clubs and regardless of log position they are still the teams to watch commanding a very big following. Any match between them or against anyone of the two, is always a high stakes game,” said Kaseke who became a regular at Highlanders in 1999.
He recalls the hyped match between his former club and Dynamos on 28 February 1999. Highlanders won 2-0 and went on to claim the Premiership title.
“I was already in the first team but had failed to make the cut. I watched from the terraces and I felt the adrenalin surge as kick off got nearer, that would be the last time I watched the game as a fan for a while. Each Dynamos game drew a lot of our best performances because they were the ultimate enemy on the pitch.
“On match day we went to the Highlanders Clubhouse and played heading tennis with manager Ernest Sibanda as referee. The morale would be very high and everyone raring to,” said Kaseke.
Kaseke said that clash brought together fierce rivalry on the field as either team sought to stamp authority on the other.
“We played for the badge, beating Dynamos always motivated us for the rest of the matches of that campaign. They were hard to beat and coming to Barbourfields always motivated them before their vociferous Bulawayo fans who came in their thousands,” said Kaseke.
Kaseke said as Highlanders players they were always prepared to break a leg in that match for their supporters.
“We played for the badge, played for those that sacrificed everything to watch us play, it was always refreshing walking out of Barbourfields having beaten Dynamos. They have always been the ultimate challenge for Highlanders,” said Kaseke.
He praised Benjani Mwaruwari for the good job at the club. “Technically speaking I am seeing what Benjani is trying to do. The play has shape and promise and given a year or two Highlanders will be top notch,” said Kaseke.
