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Eddie Chikamhi
Senior Sports Reporter
JUST a few days after playing side by side in the challenge match between Zimbabwe and Namibia, Frank Makarati and Peter Muduhwa have reverted to their old time rivalries ahead of the big clash between giants Dynamos and Highlanders.
The two featured as twin centre backs in the second half of the Challenge match to commemorate the inauguration of President Mnangagwa.
They also celebrated together following the 5-4 penalty shoot-out victory. But their attention has since shifted back to club football. Makarati and midfielder Tanaka Shandirwa were the two DeMbare players in the squad while Bosso had Muduhwa and defensive midfielder Manhire.
Makarati told the Zimpapers Sports that they have since put the Warriors friendship aside, as DeMbare look to close the gap at the top of the table.
“That’s a big game and as Dynamos we are very prepared for that game and we are hoping to collect maximum points in Bulawayo on Sunday. Everyone is prepared for that,” said Makarati. Despite back-to-back defeats, Highlanders are dictating the pace with 41 points to their credit while DeMbare are five points adrift. Bosso have had one of the best starts to the marathon, going 19 games unbeaten from the beginning of the season.
“It’s always difficult to find yourself in the position that Highlanders are now. This is a team that had not lost in 19 games and suddenly they have two defeats, one after another.
“It’s different situation altogether compared to a team that has lost a match before in the season. A team that has lost before now knows how to adjust after losing a game. But Bosso had not lost, so they should be struggling. They didn’t know what to do after losing for the first time, and they went on to lose again.
“So, we would want to take that advantage because of the phase they are in. To come out of that phase is always difficult for any team,” said Makarati. Bosso’s invincibility has been questioned following the identical 2-0 defeats by FC Platinum and Chicken Inn. Makarati believes it is also a great chance for Dynamos to end their six-year jinx against their bitter rivals.
DeMbare, who are currently homeless following the unavailability of Rufaro and the National Sports Stadium, are technically the home team this Sunday, with Bosso playing an away match at home.
Just like in the reverse fixture that ended goalless at the same venue, the cheapest ticket for the country’s biggest game has gone up to US$5 from US$2, with wings charges doubled to US$10 while those who want to watch from the VIP will fork out US$15. Still, a sold-out crowd is expected for this blockbuster clash.
“Of course they will have numbers in terms of fans but Barbourfields is also our home ground. As players we don’t pay too much attention to their fans. We just want three points in Bulawayo.
“I just want to say to the ‘Seven Million’ supporters, you just have to come in your numbers to Bulawayo on Sunday. If they give us their all, everything will go well for us,” said Makarati.
Dynamos have not beaten Highlanders since May 2017 when they were awarded the match on a 3-0 scoreline via the boardroom.
This was after crowd trouble had led to the abandonment of the tie at Barbourfields following an ugly episode of violence by a section of rowdy Bosso supporters protesting that Cameroonian Christian Epoupa had scored from an off-side position when levelling the scores 1-1 with just 42 minutes played.
The last time DeMbare got the bragging rights in open play was in 2015 when Ronald Chitiyo’s brace and a late goal by Qadr Amini dwarfed Knox Mutizwa’s brace in a tense 3-2 win at Rufaro.
Fixtures:
Saturday: GreenFuel v Sheasham (GreenFuel Stadium), FC Platinum v CAPS United (Mandava), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Manica Diamonds (Baobab), Chicken Inn v Bulawayo Chiefs (Luveve), ZPC Kariba v Herentals (Nyamhunga), Black Rhinos v Triangle (Bata)
Sunday: Yadah v Cranborne Bullets (Baobab)m Hwange v Simba Bhora (Colliery), Dynamos v Highlanders (Barbourfields)
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