Uhuru clash

Dingilizwe Ntuli Sports Editor—
TODAY’S clash between Bulawayo rivals Highlanders FC and Chicken Inn in the final of the Independence Cup at the National Sports Stadium in Harare is more than just part of the country’s 36th Uhuru celebrations, as the game has its own significance. Bosso were 1-0 victors over the Gamecocks the last time the two teams met in the final of the Easycall Cup at Barbourfields Stadium in December last year. A goal by veteran striker Ralph Matema settled matters in that match, enabling Highlanders to end 2015 with silverware following a horrendous start to the season that was only salvaged in the last third.

Matema is unlikely to feature in today’s game due to injury, but his absence will not diminish the importance of walking away with the bragging rights. A Highlanders/Chicken Inn encounter is fast becoming one of the country’s big games due to the growing fierce rivalry between the two sides.

Since the relegation of Zimbabwe Saints and the demise of AmaZulu, Highlanders have had very little threats from Bulawayo-based sides, and that perhaps explains the club’s slump in the past decade, as they haven’t really had a team to challenge them for the city’s bragging rights. However, the emergence of Chicken Inn onto the scene has now revived the long lost essence of a Bulawayo derby.

Chicken Inn have changed the football landscape in Bulawayo and winning a maiden Premier Soccer League title last season must be viewed as testament of their intent to be the dominant football force in the city, something which Highlanders will not take lying down as they boast the biggest support base, not only in the City of Kings, but the entire southern region of Zimbabwe.

The only other team that can match Highlanders in terms of a fan base is Dynamos.

So who will emerge triumphant today in the Bulawayo derby away in the capital? Chicken Inn will have to be slight favourites on present form, although in happier times this would have been a “routine” win for Bosso. Chicken Inn have a 100 percent record in the league, while Highlanders flattered only to deceive. Bosso started with a 3-0 demolition of Hwange away at the Colliery, but faltered at home against FC Platinum on Sunday last week.

Although Bosso atoned for last week’s 0-1 defeat by dumping the Zvishavane-based platinum miners out of the Uhuru Cup 3-1 in a penalty shootout in Bulawayo on Saturday, their performance in regulation time was rather uninspiring against a virtually second-string FC Platinum side.

Bosso also had the heroics of goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda to thank for reaching today’s final. Sibanda, who is fast becoming an established penalty stopper, saved two spot kicks, while his teammates converted theirs to propel Highlanders into today’s final. Just like their opponents today, Chicken Inn have also met Dynamos twice this season already.

The Gamecocks were victorious in their opening game of the 2016 league season, humiliating Dynamos 3-0 in Bulawayo. They followed that up with a 1-0 win in Harare on Saturday, and should fancy themselves to beat Bosso in 90 minutes.

However, derbies by their nature tend to throw the form-book out of the window, meaning we could be in for a cracker, full of brilliant attacking play. Both sets of teams will have enough support at the National Sports Stadium.

Highlanders have a good following in Harare and can be guaranteed of support from most Dynamos fans that are unhappy about the emergence of Chicken Inn to disturb their seemingly undisputed league championship reign. That doesn’t mean Chicken Inn won’t have any vociferous backing as some die-hard Dynamos fans would rather cheer the Gamecocks than their eternal rivals Highlanders.

It will also depend on which players want the bragging rights most. If Highlanders want to retain the fear factor they once imposed on their opponents more than a decade ago, they will need to be more ruthless in front of goal.

Some might say the coaches, Erol Akbay for Bosso and Joey Antipas for the Gamecocks, will need to motivate their sides, but what kind of player needs telling how important a derby and bragging rights are?