Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, [email protected]
AMIN Soma-Phiri said the Highlanders versus Dynamos clash was a match all players looked forward to.
He said in the 1980s and 1990s, the hype would kick off at the beginning of the match once the fixture was made public.
Talk in industry, street corners, pubs and public spaces was about the game.
Soma-Phiri was with Highlanders as a player between 1985 and 1998. He went on to hold the position of assistant coach and manager after his retirement.
A Caf A certificate holder, Soma-Phiri is now coaching Zifa Southern Region Division One side Njube Spurs.
Soma-Phiri joined Highlanders from Olympics in 1985 and became part of a very competitive Highlanders midfield which had Thoko Sithole, Mpumelelo Dzowa, Tito Paketh, the late Nqobizitha Maenzanise, Willard Khumalo, Tutani Moyo, David Phiri, Ronnie Jowa and Titus Majola all competing for slots in the old 4-2-4 formation or 4-3-3.
The midfield was the engine room and decided many crucial matches with its work ethic and industry.
A hard worker and game reader, so many times he changed the complexion of the game when brought on and won matches with his headers.
In an interview on Wednesday afternoon, Soma-Phiri said he is looking forward to a great game on Sunday when the two teams renew their rivalry.
‘It is, it was and it will always be the biggest game of the season when Dynamos are in Bulawayo. Both teams have interesting historical backgrounds and their successes trophy-wise tell the story of two giants that have impacted positively and big in our game.
“Like every other football fan and ex-player of Highlanders, I would like to go and watch the match. It sells itself because of the history and legacy of both. Dynamos has 21 titles and Highlanders eight, they are the most successful clubs on the pitch with big fan bases,” said Soma-Phiri.
He said during their time, the days ahead of the match would have players psychologically psyching themselves up on their own, get the coach’s strategy during the week and be ready to go the extra mile.
“At training, we will be a gear up. It is nice to face Dynamos. It is a match that has all of Zimbabwe interested in the result. To have a packed Barbourfields and beating Dynamos always felt so good. If you scored a goal, you would be everyone’s hero in Bulawayo and beyond. There is no greater feeling for a Highlanders player than scoring and going on to beat Dynamos.
“Everyone would want to be selected for the match and we all knew if you impressed against Dynamos and earned rave reviews, life would be sweeter. Seeing Barbourfields Stadium full and cheering as we trotted onto the field for warm up was self-motivating to each player. It is good to play before a vociferous crowd that is backing you. There was no bigger experience from our times at Bosso than the feeling of victory at home,” said Soma-Phiri.
He said Highlanders against Dynamos is one match that does not need a coach.
“It’s the bragging rights for the players and our people, hence the coach’s work ends with the announcement of the starting 11 and substitutes. It then gets to be the players’ duty to appease the coaches and the thousands that would have paid to watch the match,” said Soma-Phiri.
Soma-Phiri faced great midfielders from Dynamos like Kuda Muchemeyi, Clayton Munemo, Biggie Zuze, Kenneth Jere and Memory Mucherahowa.
“There was always competition in midfield against Dynamos. It is where the match was won as they defended gallantly and worked hard to support the strikers with assistants and midfielders of his era scored regularly on the big stage as well.
Soma-Phiri said while the class that will be in action may not compare with yesteryear greats, the match provides a chance for new heroes to stand and be counted.
“We should see new heroes of these clubs on Sunday, players who will hold the match by the scruff and turn the game around. If you do not rise to the occasion on games like these, you are yet to endear yourself with fans,” said the man who was called Mr Fix It or Makanika because when brought on he changed things apart from his other trade of being a mechanic.
Soma-Phiri predicted a tough match and could not be drawn to predicting the scoreline.
“These matches are hard to predict,” he said.
The first match was drawn 2-2 at Rufaro three months.
