Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, [email protected]
ON Monday, black-and-white and green-and-white stood together.
The famous Soweto End at Barbourfields Stadium, long regarded as the heartbeat of Highlanders, became a symbol of football’s ability to unite as supporters of Highlanders and Caps United sang side by side during a memorial service for the three Bosso executives and a supporter who lost their lives in a tragic road traffic accident.
In a moment that captured the spirit of togetherness, a drum was played at the Soweto End by visiting supporters, a rare sight that reflected the deep respect between two of Zimbabwe’s oldest and most decorated football clubs.
But football has a way of changing emotions in an instant.
This Sunday, the songs of unity will be replaced by chants of rivalry as Highlanders travel to Rufaro Stadium to take on Caps United in the latest instalment of the Battle of the Cities, one of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League’s marquee fixtures.
The friendships forged in mourning will be temporarily set aside as Bulawayo’s giants and Harare’s Green Machine lock horns in a contest carrying equal measures of pride and significance.
There is plenty at stake. Caps United sit sixth on the table with 39 points, just two ahead of seventh-placed Highlanders on 37. Victory for Bosso would see Benjani Mwaruwari’s men leapfrog their old rivals and strengthen their push towards the top half of the table.
For Mwaruwari, Sunday’s encounter also presents an opportunity to settle a score. Earlier this season, Caps United inflicted his first defeat since taking charge of Highlanders, winning 2-1 in Bulawayo. Both goals came from set pieces, exposing a weakness that Bosso will be desperate to avoid repeating at Rufaro.
It is a lesson Highlanders have carried with them ever since.
Former Highlanders and Caps United utility player Gift Lunga Jnr believes the emotional events of this week could provide Bosso with added motivation, although he expects another fiercely contested encounter.
“One thing that is guaranteed is that it will be an exciting game of football. Whenever Highlanders and Caps United meet, they always produce entertaining football,” said Lunga.
“For Highlanders, I think they should play in honour of the club’s fallen leaders. That should be their motivation. But against Caps United it will never be easy.”
Another player who proudly wore the colours of both clubs, Siza Khoza, believes this is the type of fixture every footballer dreams of playing.
“It is every player’s dream to feature in a big match like this and make an impact,” said Khoza.
“Whichever of the two teams you represent, you want to be on the field because this is one of the country’s flagship fixtures. This game is less about what the coaches can do and more about the players motivating themselves because the occasion speaks for itself.
“Looking at Highlanders, I think they actually play better football away from home. If they get themselves into the right mental space, they can come away with a positive result. But as always, whenever Caps United and Highlanders meet, you can expect an entertaining game of football.”
Khoza’s observations echo what history has shown over the years. Form often counts for little when these two heavyweights collide. The atmosphere, the expectation and the weight of history usually produce a contest that lives long in the memory.
For Highlanders, there is also an emotional responsibility to honour the memory of the late chairman Kenneth Mhlophe, vice-chairman Fiso Siziba and treasurer Nkani Khoza.
The club has spent the past week mourning three men who dedicated their lives to Bosso’s cause, and Sunday’s match offers the players an opportunity to pay tribute in the best way they know, with a committed performance.
Monday reminded Zimbabwean football that rivalry can be put aside in moments of tragedy. On Sunday, however, sentiment will make way for competition.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Fixtures
Today: Chicken Inn v Bulawayo Chiefs (Luveve Stadium), FC Platinum v Simba Bhora (Mandava Stadium), Triangle v Hunters (Gibbo Stadium), Scottland v MWOS (Rufaro Stadium), Agama v Ngezi Platinum (Wadzanayi), Hardrock v Manica Diamonds (Chahwanda Stadium)
Tomorrow: CAPS United v Highlanders (Rufaro Stadium)
