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Sikhumbuzo Moyo
TWO legendary Zimbabwe and Dynamos players based in Bulawayo have warned Highlanders to prepare for a tough encounter when the two giants clash in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Battle of the Titans set for Barbourfields Stadium this Sunday.Godfrey Paradza and Agent ‘Ajira’ Sawu believe Dynamos will fight until the last whistle but both agree that Bosso cannot afford to lose the match.
The two giants will be clashing for the 14th time since Amahlolanyama were crowned champions in 2006. DeMbare, so terribly off form until their 4-1 drubbing of Tripple B on Sunday, have recorded an impressive six wins over Bosso with the other seven encounters ending in draws since 2007.
Ex-Dynamos captain Paradza believes that while his former side has been going through a bad spell, their clash against Bosso might just be what the doctor ordered and for anyone to therefore think Highlanders will find it easy to beat DeMbare will be suicidal.
“It’s a fact that we all know Bosso are on song at the moment while Dynamos are a bit shaky despite their win over an ailing Tripple B. They can however not be counted out in this crucial game,” said Paradza.
He conceded that it is going to be a tough match for the Harare giants who need an outright win to remain relevant in the title race. Dynamos will open a one-point lead if they win on Sunday and Paradza said even if that happens, the race will still be wide open.
“If Dynamos win, the race will still be open but if it’s a Highlanders victory, then it will be all over for Dynamos and depending on the Harare City/Buffaloes result, the race could be a two or one team issue from Sunday. Dynamos lost form at a very wrong time of the season while Bosso rediscovered theirs at the most crucial stage,” said Paradza.
He said unlike in previous seasons when Dynamos came to Bulawayo buoyed by good league runs, this time around it is not very confident because of a string of poor results.
“In years gone by I would quickly predict a Dynamos win but this time things are different, iBosso ayibambeki,” said Paradza who was part of the DeMbare squad from 1991 to 1995.
Zimbabwe Saints legend Sawu, who scored an incredible 26 league and cup goals in one season at DeMbare in 2003 said Dynamos players had the mental pedigree to withstand the intimidating atmosphere at Barbourfields Stadium.
“This is one game where coaches will have little to say because players are naturally motivated just by the tie itself. I foresee fireworks with probably a draw being a fairest result,” said Sawu.
Like Paradza, Sawu said while Highlanders were on song at the moment, having a low opinion of their opponents might be their biggest undoing as DeMbare has a tendency of rising against odds.
“What I know for sure is that Dynamos will not be intimidated by the Barbourfields atmosphere because their own supporters are likely to turnout in big numbers. Dembare should however not read much in the statistics of previous matches when they dominated Highlanders. Only last week Bosso breached ‘Fort Rimuka’ not once but three times,” said said Sawu.
Rampaging Highlanders drilled three goals past Black Rhinos goalkeeper on Sunday something that other teams including Dynamos have failed to do since the army side shifted base to Kadoma.
So lethal has been the Bosso machine which has managed to score 13 goals in five competitive matches, taking their season’s tally so far to an impressive 40 goals. This Sunday they however face the league’s best defence as Dynamos have conceded 17 goals in 25 outings with six of those coming in their last five league games.
Form
Highlanders’ last six matches
Black Rhinos 0, Highlanders 3; Highlanders 4, Tripple B 1; Buffaloes 1, Highlanders 1; Highlanders 2, FC Platinum 1; How Mine 1, Highlanders 0; Highlanders 2, Monomotapa 0
Dynamos’ last six matches
Dynamos 4, Tripple B 0; FC Platinum 2, Dynamos 0; Dynamos 0, Monomotapa 0; Hwange 4, Dynamos 2; Caps United 0, Dynamos 1; Dynamos 3, Harare City 1
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