Unity Cup finally called off

Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter

HARARE giants Dynamos were yesterday forced to call off their training camp after it emerged the proposed Unity Day Cup clash against traditional football rivals Highlanders will not take place.

The bumper fixture, which was scheduled for today at Barbourfields, had been lined up ostensibly as part of the festivities to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the National Unity Accord.

However, the organisers yesterday told the clubs that the game had been struck off, in the wake of the telling uncertainties that had characterised the build-up.

Dynamos chief executive officer, Jonathan Mashingaidze, also confirmed the Harare giants, who had resumed training in anticipation of the game, have since dismissed their players for the festive holidays.

“We were preparing for the game but now we have been told by the organisers that it has been moved to next year. As a result, we have called off the training camp and the players have been released for holidays. They will only return for pre-season training early next month.

“Otherwise, we appreciate the efforts from those behind the organisation of this match. It’s quite unfortunate the game is not happening as had been envisaged. But as Dynamos we had committed, and we are still committing ourselves, to be part of the event next year,” said Mashingaidze.

The game was poorly co-ordinated from the onset. The match this year was being organised by a group led by Harare sports administrator Tendai “T-Buns” Zhakata who, by yesterday, was still hopping from one meeting to the other in a bid to make the game a reality.

Highlanders were also still in the dark about the logistics and the possibility of their team playing Dynamos. Bosso communications, media and marketing officer, Nozibelo Maphosa, directed all questions back to the organisers.

“As Highlanders we are not in a position to comment on this particular game. Of course we have heard about the game but we are still trying to gather more information. The best people to talk to are the ones organising the game,” said Maphosa.

Although not held consistently over the years, the Unity Day Cup is usually one of the big national events to mark the Unity Day celebrations.

Traditionally, the event has been organised by Government through the Sports and Recreation Commission in liaison with ZIFA.

However, authorities at ZIFA have said they were not aware of the proposed match between the country’s biggest and most supported teams.

Sources at the two clubs said the match had been set for Barbourfields in Bulawayo and was part of the festivities for the 2022 Unity Day commemorations.

However, ZIFA spokesperson, Xolisani Gwesela, said the association was not aware of the game and had not sanctioned any football match of that nature.

The Sports Commission also indicated they had not received the applications for clearance as per procedure from the national association.

“As ZIFA we are not aware of such a match. Of course we have heard people talking about it but, in as far as we know, there is no such match that has been sanctioned by ZIFA.

“If it’s indeed on, then it’s being arranged elsewhere and we have not been briefed about it or it’s probably people who are trying to push the agenda,” Gwesela told The Herald.

It had been reported that Sakunda Holdings were coming in to bankroll the game.

The local energy giants are the main sponsors of both teams.

Dynamos have been training under the watch of their new coach Herbert “Jompano” Maruwa while Bosso assistant coach Joel Luphahla was conducting duties in the absence of their Portuguese head coach Baltermar Brito, who is currently away on holiday.

Both Dynamos and Highlanders have already started building their squads for the 2023 season. Dynamos’ new coach Maruwa in particular would have been pleased to watch his players in action before making a decision on who to drop from the squad left by his predecessor Tonderai Ndiraya.

Sources at Dynamos and Highlanders claimed they had been initially told that the winners of the match would get a whooping US$100 000, with the losing team pocketing US$80 000 in prize money.

Sakunda Holdings, however, have remained mum as they had nothing to do with the proposed game.