HIGHLANDERS, still searching an elusive victory over bitter rivals Dynamos, have stoked the flames as they travel to the capital for a date with the Harare football giants in the Commander ZNA Charities final at Rufaro on Sunday with vice-chair Mgcini Mpofu suggesting DeMbare’s “expiry date is fast approaching”.
BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
Mpofu told reporters during a news conference at the army headquarters in Harare that although they had endured a frustrating period in the shadows of the old enemy, there was always an end to everything.
“This is our second year participating in this tournament and we feel this is a noble cause and are obliged to make it happen and interesting. We are coming from a draw and, in fact, Dynamos survived. There is always an end to everything and Dynamos’ expiring date is fast approaching. We will field our best players save for the three players who are in the national team,” said Mpofu.
Highlanders, who were held to a 1-1 draw in a league match on Sunday at Barbourfields by their rivals to stretch their nine-year dominance over them in league matches, will be missing the services of three key players: defender Teenage Hadebe, midfielder Nqobizitha Masuku and striker Knox Mtizwa who are set to travel for national duty for the Under-23 African Championship decisive qualifier against South Africa in KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday.
Mpofu said they registered 30 players and would still be able to field a strong squad in the bid to end their poor run against Dynamos.
Highlanders have failed to beat Dynamos in a league match since 2006 while in cup competitions Bosso last beat Dynamos to the Independence Trophy in 2011 under the guidance of Mkuphali Masuku.
But Dynamos, represented by club treasurer Webster Marechera, also said they would field their best squad despite also missing goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva, Carlos Rusere and Blessing Moyo.
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Marechera said they wanted to maintain their dominance over Highlanders and that the Dynamos class of 2015 would not to be remembered as the team that lost to their bitter rivals.
“It’s a culture at Dynamos that we don’t want to lose whenever we play against Highlanders. They know it will be a bad record for them so it will be up to them not to be the first team to lose to Highlanders. As Dynamos we see this as a national cause and we will field our best players except those that are playing for the national team,” said Marechera.
Lieutenant-Colonel Alphios Makotore, the director of army public relations, said proceeds from the match will go towards charity.
“We have fundraising activities like a dinner dance, golf tournament and horse race and we are taking it to the masses, which is soccer. All proceeds from the match will be directed to the needy,” said Makotore.
Major Fabion Chitungo also said they have maintained gate charges for the final with the rest of ground tickets going for $3, VIP $5 and VVIP $10. He also said children under 12 would pay $1.
Four teams took part in the charity tournament this year with DeMbare advancing to the final following a 2-1 victory over Caps United while Highlanders also saw off How Mine 2-1.
It’s the first time for the country’s biggest teams to meet in the final of the three-year-old tournament.
