Pride, passion, points: Dynamos, Highlanders lock horns in battle for supremacy

EIGHTEEN years. That’s how long it’s been since Highlanders last tasted league glory.

Their arch-rivals Dynamos haven’t fared much better, stuck in a ten-year drought. Ironically, this might be the same number of years since the much-anticipated clash between these two giants was last a top-of-the-table showdown.

This begs the question — has the “biggest game in the land” lost its lustre?
Recent history suggests a decline in competitive fire. However, their last encounter, the season opener at Barbourfields Stadium, was a thrilling 2-1 win for Bosso, proving the magic can still be there.

Tomorrow, these football titans lock horns once again, this time at the historic Rufaro Stadium. Their last meeting there, a 1-1 draw in 2019, feels like a lifetime ago, overshadowed by the stadium’s lengthy, five-year closure for renovations.

Whispers abound that the build-up to this clash lacks the usual intensity. But let’s not forget the core of this rivalry — it’s a battle between Zimbabwe’s two biggest and most passionately supported clubs.
Former Dynamos and national team midfielder Justice Majabvi weighed in on the upcoming game.

“I feel like the excitement around the game has gone down. Morale around is low. However, this remains a good game for the players and that is what makes the difference. They know what is at stake, its pride and carrying the badge for the club. Dynamos or Highlanders means a lot. It’s up to the players to realise that it’s the biggest match in the domestic league for so many years.

“It can even take one to the soccer stars calendar. Let alone, the two teams carry the football hopes of the nation with their fans. I’m excited, I want to see the teams giving it all. Highlanders have boosted their squad with few additions and they know what they are going to face on Sunday. Dynamos has had some issues but hopefully, they will be at their best tomorrow,” said Majabvi.

Former Highlanders and Warriors midfield maestro Johannes Ngodzo also shared a thought on the upcoming game.
“The games between Highlanders and Dynamos will always be a big game. The difference is that there are now some other teams who are now competing with these giants and are buying the best players in the land, you talk of Ngezi Platinum and FC Platinum, they have the best players.

But, that does not take away the fact that this remains the biggest game in the land. The Highlanders players have to forget about the Dynamos problems. Those guys will be out there to win the game. It will be a tough game and my advice to the players will be for them to fight for the Highlanders badge,” said Ngodzo.
Football blogger Dalu Van Vodloza also had his say on the game.

“The two teams still play the biggest game in the land and that will stand for a long time. When they play everyone wants to know what is going to happen and who is going to do what. The paint may have faded on the giants but underneath that faded paint are still some strong bonds and ties between them and their fans. If you look at how these teams are supported they have a more cultural bond to the people. They represent a cultural identity and a way of life and history,” said Vodloza.

“The problem is that the vibe around the game has gone. Times have changed and the traditional giants are still stuck in the past. Things have changed from the past way of making people get into the game into digital platforms.

What the traditional giants have failed to do is to transfer the modern way of doing things into the clubs. So as a result the game is suffering. The teams have failed to modernise. We have failed to make the brand attractive. As long as the clubs don’t modernise, the hype around the game will always be dull. The teams are still stuck in the old ways and there is no way to have this game as trendy as it should be using old and archaic methods.”

Bosso have just one win in their last eight games and are eight points behind log leaders FC Platinum. But form and off-the-field issues do not usually become a factor when Dynamos and Highlanders collide. Statistics and facts to the history behind the epic encounter do not matter, whoever has more zeal on the day will win the game.

Fixtures
Today: Bikita Minerals v Herentals College (Sakubva) , Ngezi Platinum Stars v Arenel Movers (Baobab), Simba Bhora v Manica Diamonds (Wadzanayi) , Bulawayo Chiefs v Green Fuel (Luveve), Yadah FC v Hwange (Heart Stadium)

Tomorrow: Chicken Inn v Caps United (Luveve), Chegutu Pirates v FC Platinum (Baobab), TelOne FC v ZPC Kariba (Bata Stadium), Dynamos v Highlanders (Rufaro). — @innocentskizoe.