Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube
WHEN Highlanders and Dynamos meet, coaches can keep their tactics boards.
That’s according to Bosso legend Amin “Mr Fix It” Soma-Phiri, who says the Battle of Zimbabwe is one match where players must write their own history.
The former Highlanders midfield maestro says Sunday’s blockbuster at Barbourfields Stadium remains the biggest fixture on the local football calendar, just as it was during his playing days. According to him, the hype starts long before the referee blows the first whistle.
“In our time, once the fixture was announced, everyone was talking about it,” said Soma-Phiri.
“You would hear discussions in buses, beer halls, workplaces, shops and street corners. The whole country would be waiting for Bosso and DeMbare.”
Soma-Phiri should know.
The former midfield workhorse spent 13 years at Highlanders between 1985 and 1998, rubbing shoulders with Bosso greats such as Thoko Sithole, Mpumelelo Dzowa, Tito Paketh, Willard Khumalo and the late Nqobizitha Maenzanise.
Nicknamed “Makanika” or “Mr Fix It”, Soma-Phiri earned a reputation for changing games whenever he came off the bench.
If Bosso were struggling, fans would start looking towards the touchline.
And if Makanika was warming up, hope would suddenly return.
Now coaching Njube Spurs in the Southern Region Division One League, the CAF A licence holder says nothing compares to facing Dynamos before a packed Barbourfields Stadium.
“It is, it was and it will always be the biggest match of the season,” he said.
“To beat Dynamos at a full Barbourfields was a special feeling. If you scored against Dynamos and Highlanders won, you became a hero overnight.”
The former midfielder says players needed very little motivation ahead of the clash. In fact, according to him, some players practically selected themselves through their determination and hunger.
“At training everyone would go a gear up. Every player wanted to be selected because this was the match everyone wanted to play.”
Then, came his most explosive statement. “Highlanders against Dynamos is one match that does not need a coach,” he declared.
Before supporters choke on their popcorn, Soma-Phiri quickly explained.
“The coach’s work is done when he names the starting eleven and substitutes. After that, it becomes the players’ responsibility. This game is about pride, bragging rights and making the supporters happy.”
For Bosso and DeMbare fans, those bragging rights can last an entire year.
Lose and you may hear about it at weddings, funerals, church gatherings and family braais. Win and life suddenly becomes sweeter.
Soma-Phiri remembers fierce midfield battles against Dynamos stars such as Kuda Muchemeyi, Clayton Munemo, Biggie Zuze, Kenneth Jere and Memory Mucherahowa.
According to him, midfield was often where the battle was won and lost. Looking ahead to Sunday’s showdown, the Bosso legend says this generation has a golden opportunity to create its own heroes.
“We should see new heroes emerge. These are the matches where players must stand up and be counted. If you don’t rise to the occasion in games like these, you are yet to truly win the hearts of the fans.”
As for predicting the winner?
Not a chance.
Soma-Phiri says Bosso versus DeMbare is football’s biggest mystery box. “These matches are very difficult to predict.” And if history is anything to go by, Barbourfields is set for another chapter in Zimbabwe football’s greatest love-hate story.
shloboe boe