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Blockbuster at Rufaro

Sport
A CURSORY look at the statistics, staggeringly favouring Dynamos in their meetings with arch-rivals Highlanders in the last decade, leaves one with the impression that today’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match between the two at Rufaro Stadium, like all other clashes, is just not a tussle for three points, but much more is at stake.

A CURSORY look at the statistics, staggeringly favouring Dynamos in their meetings with arch-rivals Highlanders in the last decade, leaves one with the impression that today’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match between the two at Rufaro Stadium, like all other clashes, is just not a tussle for three points, but much more is at stake.

BY HENRY MHARA/FORTUNE MBELE

But as Dynamos’ unbeaten run in this fixture stretches, the more important it is for Highlanders to finally take the monkey off their backs and, on the other hand, it is the more DeMbare need to preserve their proud record. Points will be very important for either side at this stage with Bosso aiming to keep track of the leaders FC Platinum and Caps United while Dynamos are desperate to climb up the ladder having only recorded two wins from seven matches so far, sitting in the bottom half of the league log, but pride seems to be the big carrot.

Since 2006 when Highlanders last beat DeMbare in the year they also last won the league title, Dynamos have been a dominant force in this fixture where the goal aggregate is 26-7 against the Bulawayo giants.

Something has got to give, the Bosso family must be thinking or hoping as they head to Rufaro Stadium this afternoon. But could today be the day that they rid themselves of such an unenviable record against a team they consider their biggest rivals?

Highlanders have enjoyed the better start so far having won four matches, with three draws and one defeat. They are on 14 points, six clear of their opponents this afternoon.

In contrast, Dynamos are huffing and puffing, with three losses, a record that saw them booting out Portuguese coach Jorge Paulo Silva who was replaced by Lloyd Mutasa, albeit on interim basis.

Unlike Silva, Highlanders’ expat coach Erol Akbay has been heartily welcomed in the Bosso camp and will forever endear himself with the team’s supporters if he can deliver them a win against DeMbare.

Akbay is well aware of the task at hand.

“It’s the biggest game of the year for both teams and I think both sides are looking forward to good football and have prepared well. We will see what will happen on the day. I understand how serious this game is,” Akbay said.

He added, “I have seen how they (Dynamos) play. Of course, as a coach I have to prepare myself how I want to play against them and I think it will be a good game. Normally in this kind of game you can think of every tactic, but during game time everything just changes.”

It is his team’s tepid performance in their last league match where they had to come from behind to force a 1-1 draw against Harare City that is worrying the Dutchman ahead of the blockbuster meeting.

“It was really a bad game for us. As a coach I will never accept that kind of football. But we have been training to get better. Everybody knows the Dynamos game is very important to us.”

Dynamos have had a stuttering start to their campaign but team manager Richard Chihoro is hopeful that their win in their last league encounter is all they needed.

“It will be a tough match but we know the outcome, we will definitely win the game, no doubt about that. Everyone is geared up because we know we always do well in this match and we are looking forward to another win over Highlanders,” said Chihoro.

Both teams have injury boosts with Akbay welcoming back Bruce Kangwa who missed the game against Harare City, while Rodrick Mutuma returns for Dynamos after missing his team’s trip to Bulawayo last weekend.

Young Prince Dube, who was with the Young Warriors last weekend, is another returnee for Highlanders and Dynamos also welcome back Dominic Mukandi who was suspended last week for accumulating yellow cards .