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HIGHLANDERS FC and Zimbabwe football legend Barry Daka has described the clash between Bosso and DeMbare as the ultimate battle in Zimbabwe.
The two teams’ clash at Barbourfields Stadium in probably the biggest match of the second round of the league this afternoon.
He says players and coaches alike look forward to the high stakes game as a potential life changer. He says there is so much at stake in the match which has turned to be more than a football game.
Daka traces the rivalry to the 1960s when organised semi-professional football came into being at the rise of nationalism in 1963.
Dynamos were formed that year while Highlanders were part of short-lived Big Three Football Club. This was the amalgamation of Bulawayo’s big three clubs — Mashonaland United, Matabeleland Highlanders and Northern Rhodesia.
Big Three and Dynamos were seen as representative of the suppressed Black majority of this country and either side drew a big following from its geographical location.
Daka, a celebrated player and coach in the country had an opportunity to play against Dynamos and parade his players against the Harare giants Zimbabwe’s biggest followed club and most successful. This he did as coach at Olympics, Railstars and Highlanders.
He describes the match as a defining moment and the ultimate challenge.
“The game on itself is self-motivating. For the Highlanders and Dynamos players it is not a game where the coach has much of a role to play. This is a game that can make or break you as an individual because a good showing may land you in national teams and the Soccer Star of the Year Calendar which during my playing days was a big thing. Even in my early years as a coach it was. I suppose it still is.
“The game’s interest is world over. Fans of both clubs all over the world will be eager to know who won. The media interest also is a bonus that propels the players to be at their best.
“This time around both teams are in the league title chasing pack so there is so much at stake. The spectator can be the only winner with a top drawer performance by both teams,” said Daka on Wednesday.
Daka remembers the Dynamos of the 1974-76 era when he had returned from a stint with Hwange. He had joined the coalminers at the invitation of Jack Meagher after guiding Highlanders to the national league in 1970.
“They were a star-studded unit that had slowly but surely built their stature. There had been other great clubs like Chibuku Shumba, Metal Box, Mhangura, Sables, Bulawayo Rovers, Arcadia and Callies.
“Dynamos were a rising brand with some very good players in the 1974-76 era. As they had exhibited from their formation in 1963, they always showed the hunger for success and played with all the determination,” said Daka.
He said as players of the 1974-76 era just when Bosso thrice won the regional title and competed for the national play-off, they were no walkovers and their fan base had grown considerably after the 1973 Chibuku Trophy.
“Regional pride has always been at stake with Dynamos eager to please their fans now all over the country like Highlanders and even beyond the borders. Back then both distinctly had supporters in the two cities of Bulawayo and Harare and the matches seemed clashes of regions,” said Daka.
Daka said in the 1970s Dynamos had Morrison Sifelani while Highlanders had Silas Ndlovu, two astute gentlemen who while as players did not make an impact, but showed charisma and a purpose as coaches and administrators.
“With both having attained English FA Badges, the stakes were raised in the two teams’ clashes. They brought a different approach to coaching and football administration so much that their matches had everyone turning their attention to as the best brains around,” said Daka.
He said the preparations for the games were thorough and that at Highlanders a fixture against Dynamos would see them go into camp.
“There were some matches we did not have to camp ahead of. But we would not make that error against Dynamos. We had to be at our best as we faced the best in the land. The matches were like cup finals with so much to fight for and win at the end of the game. It was an important fixture on the calendar,” said Daka.
Daka said even club management would leave no stone unturned ahead of the tie.
Dynamos during Daka’s playing days had Daniel “Dididi” Ncube, father of former Aces, Tanganda and Zimbabwe Saints’ Daniel Bingadadi, George Shaya, Simon Sachiti, David George, Stephen “Faka Simbi” Chimedza, Kuda Muchemeyi, Oliver Kateya, Sunday Chidzambwa, Shadreck Ngwenya and Shaw Handriade.
“The quality of the Dynamos bench demanded that every team they played against had to be at its best. Even to this day where ever Bosso and Dynamos play, the teams raise their game and there are bumper crowds as well.
“We had quality too at Highlanders. One thing is that even when either side is on a low but on the day they clash you are bound to see a different team in a thriller and well attended game,” said Daka.
Daka was in the same team with a young Douglas Mloyi, Tennyson Mloyi, Zenzo Dabengwa, Cavin Duberly, Boet Van Ays, Bruce Grobbelaar, Isaac Mafaro, Stanley Nyika, Billy Sibanda, Lawrence Phiri, Chutika Tembo, Mike Mpofu, Tommy Masuku, Josiah Nxumalo and the White Horse – Tymon Mabaleka.
“When you have quality like the two teams of the 1970s and good coaches you can imagine the intensity of the clashes and the gruelling challenge, its good for football,” he said.
Daka who left at the end of 1976 to form Olympics with some senior players allegedly not happy on salaries and allowances, said even when he had moved to Olympics they always looked forward to the clash with the Zimbabwe giants.
“To be honest from that far back you were viewed as men if you beat Dynamos. At Olympics the preparations for the match would be serious too as we always wanted to beat them and prove we are up there.
“The matches like we had experienced while still at Hwange and Highlanders were no easy matches as Dynamos played exciting but competitive football,” said the former Coach of the Year and Warriors assistant coach.
Daka had the chance to prove his genius as a coach in his first three months in charge of Highlanders in 1984. He masterminded the downfall of Dynamos in that year’s Chibuku Trophy final.
“As I had known from my days, we prepared thoroughly for the cup final. It was different now that I was coach and not playing like I had done at Olympics so the major thing to do was psyching up the boys. With Lawrence Phiri and Cosmas Zulu, very experienced guys at that stage sitting with me on the bench, we made sure the mental aspect was attended to if we were to beat Dynamos.
“The boys did not disappoint and gave Dynamos a good run for their money and we won 2-1 with Madinda Ndlovu and Willard Khumalo the scorers at Rufaro,” said Daka.
So competitive were Dynamos that the following weekend in a league match at Barbourfields, they avenged for the cup final loss beating Highlanders 1-0.
“You were never sure with Dynamos which way the pendulum would swing as they would rise from the ashes and play their best. We did not let complacency creep in after the Chibuku Trophy win, we were eager to make it two in as many weeks but we would not have it our way,” said Daka.
Daka described the matches between the two in the 1980s as having been some of the best as both boasted of quality players.
“Remember Dynamos had the Chunga brothers, Moses and Kembo, Lucky Dube, Leo Ntawantawa, David Mandigora, Max Makanza-Lunga, Garikayi Zuze, Biggie Zuze, Kenneth Jere, Misheck Chidzambwa, Eddie Muchongwe, Henry Charles, Ernest Mutano, Hamid Dhana and Clayton Munemo all gifted footballers.
“As coaches at Highlanders we were spoilt for choice for every match. Even against Dynamos we had to look at what was at our disposal and in a team with Titus Majola, Madinda, Willard Rambo Mercedes Sibanda, Peter Nkomo, Tito Paketh, Dumisani Noyoni, Dumisani Ngulube, Amin Soma-Phiri, Rahman Gumbo, Alexander Maseko, Douglas Mloyi, the late Fanuel Ncube, you had fighters who would give it their all. They had the big match temperament, something passed on later to a breed that had Peter Ndlovu, his late brother Adam, Makwinji Soma-Phiri, Cleopas Dlodlo, Boy Ndlovu, the late Lazarus Mwambopo, Benjamin Nkonjera and Benjamin Mpofu,” said the 1995 All-Africa silver medallist and winner of the Cosafa Castle Cup in 2000 with Gibson Homela and Misheck Chidzambwa.
He said this afternoon’s clash will be a big match played before a capacity crowd.
“It is important for the players to hold their nerves and focus on what they did all week ahead of the match. Sticking to basics is the best before the crowd so that fans do not get agitated with silly mistakes. The team that settles first may pocket the points but like what we have seen in the past, it’s never over until the final whistle for both teams.”
Daka now at Bulawayo City could not commit himself as to the destination of the three points. He said luck could play a role with the team that scores more and defends well walking away with maximum points.
Daka said clashes of the two teams in the past saw more action on the field than off it. He could only remember the 1991 Zifa Cup final against Dynamos where Bosso fans, marshals and players got a hiding at the National Sports Stadium.
“It’s just a game and it should remain that. We played Dynamos many times and we won and they won other matches too. The spirit was good both on and off with the losing team’s supporters gracefully walking home in defeat,” said Daka.
Online Reporter