The destiny of the Lion Lager National Rugby League championship will be known when the country’s top clubs, Harare Sports Club and defending champions Old Georgians, clash in the season’s final on Saturday.
The match kicks off at 1900 hours under floodlights at Harare Sports Club.
Earlier in the day Bulawayo side Old Miltonians will battle against Old Hararians in the third place play offs.
The two teams go into this match on the back of impressive wins in the semifinals with Old Georgians dismissing Old Hararians 40-20 while Harare Sports Club thumped Old Miltonians 58-28.
What makes this match more interesting is the fact that it will be a repeat of last season’s final in which the two teams could not be separated in regulation time.
In that final, the two giants completed regulation time deadlocked on 26-26 before fullback Justin Coles touched down an extra time try to help Old Georgians sneak home 26-33 after extra time.
It was a painful defeat for Harare Sports Club but their coach Cyprian Mandenge told NewsDay Sport yesterday that revenge was the last thing on their mind.
“The main focus will be to ensure we control the game and ensure they don’t impose their type of play on us and ensure that we reclaim our title and bring it back where it belongs and that is Harare Sports Club,” said Mandenge.
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Earlier this season in the round robin phase of the league, Old Georgians won the first meeting between the two teams 23-15 before Harare Sports Club chalked out a 8-6 win in the reverse fixture.
Old Georgians captain Jacques Leitao said he expected a tough battle as has become the norm whenever the two teams meet.
“Our games against Harare Sports Club are always closely contested and the atmosphere is going to be great considering that it will be the final.
“Harare Sports Club are also a quality side and we will be expecting a tough encounter, but it’s going to be important for us to just stick to our game plan,” Leitao said.
