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TOGETHER AS ONE . . . Bosso acting coach Mark Mathe (centre) and kit manager Vezigama Dlodlo (right) will be part of a technical bench that will be hoping that ‘keeper and skipper Ariel Sibanda helps them to come out tops in their latest battle against arch rivals Dynamos at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow

Ellina Mhlanga  Sports Reporter
CAN Highlanders finally get the monkey off their back and turn the tide on bitter rivals Dynamos?
That will be the big question on the minds of the Bosso supporters when Highlanders troop into the battlefield against DeMbare in a Gushungo Victory Cup showdown at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow.

Bosso have not only been forced to live in the shadow of their old enemies, with Dynamos winning more silverware than their bitter rivals, but the Harare giants have also dominated the head-to-head clashes between the country’s two biggest clubs.

The unveiling of the Gushungo Victory Cup, being used to celebrate President Mugabe’s 2013 victory in the harmonised elections, has presented Bosso with a another chance to take aim at Dynamos and end the Glamour Boys’ dominance over them.

Highlanders’ last triumph over Dynamos came at the National Sports Stadium in April 2011 when they overcame DeMbare in the Independence Cup final after a penalty shoot-out.

The sides had been deadlocked 0-0 before the match was decided by a shoot-out lottery.

Since then, Dynamos have found a way to grind out victories over Highlanders, even on the occasions when Calllisto Pasuwa’s men have played second fiddle to their adversaries, in the two sides’ famous Battle of Zimbabwe meetings.

In terms of the league clashes, Highlanders last beat Dynamos 1-0 back in 2006 when former their own midfielder Mkhuphali Masuku was still in charge of Bosso.

DeMbare’s dominance over Highlanders has actually become more emphatic in the last two years, with the Glamour Boys thumping Bosso 4-1 in their last encounter — the TM Pick ‘N’ Pay Challenge Cup clash at the National Sports Stadium.

Dynamos also claimed the Bob90 Cup after getting the better of Highlanders 2-0.

Bosso have had an indifferent season, which led to the departure of Zambian coach Kelvin Kaindu and their poor term was put into perspective by their nightmarish visits to the capital that also included a 4-1 hiding by CAPS United in the league.

They were also hammered 0-3 by Harare City in the Chibuku Super Cup semi-finals.

Despite the odds seemingly stacked against them, Highlanders skipper Ariel Sibanda believes Bosso have the character, and the capacity, to finally turn the tables on Dynamos.

Sibanda, a former Warriors goalkeeper, said yesterday they were relishing a chance to play in the Gushungo Victory Cup, which he felt afforded them a chance to redeem themselves and regain lost pride.

“I think everyone is motivated, we have been given another chance to prove ourselves. We look like a different team and everyone wants to play. We are going for the holidays and everyone wants the money, too.

“It’s a great honour; we have been given the opportunity to redeem ourselves. I think with the attitude the guys are showing, we are going to win it.
“Everyone is raring to go, even those guys that are injured,” said Sibanda.

Highlanders are under the caretaker guidance of Mark Mathe and the tall coach yesterday revealed that his only major injury worry ahead of tomorrow’s game was that Ozias Zibande.

The forward has been ruled of the game after picking a knock during their training on Thursday.

Dynamos skipper Murape Murape warned his men against under-estimating Highlanders on the basis of their dominance over them.

Murape said DeMbare would need to take a cautious approach to the game and take note of Highlanders determination to try and win the Gushungo Victory Cup.

“These games are never easy. Of course, we have had a good run against Highlanders for the past few years, which is good for our side,” said Muraoe.

“But every game that we participate in is a new game. Maybe it will be their day come Sunday, you never know. So, what we are doing is just prepare for that game and not look back at the other good results that we have been having against them.

“The minute we start looking back and saying we have been winning against Highlanders, complacency will creep in and we will think it’s an easy job,.

“So, I think we just have to train like we have been doing whenever we were facing other teams and really treat Highlanders with respect. It’s very unfortunate that things maybe not have been going their way, but they are a very big team and they should be treated with respect.

“Every game that we play against them, we have to fight hard and maybe put 120 or 200 percent effort to make sure we come out victorious because the minute they win against us it changes and all the other games that we have won before will be erased.”

Murape said they felt honoured to be invited to play in this Gushungo Victory Cup game.

“It’s an honour for us to be part of this tournament. I think it’s obvious that as Dynamos we are the biggest and most successful team here in Zimbabwe. We are from Harare and we are also the biggest team in Harare.

“Highlanders are from Bulawayo and they are the biggest team in Bulawayo; so, it’s the Battle of Zimbabwe, and I think it is fitting to celebrate the President’s victory with a game that is Dynamos versus Highlanders.

“I think there are no other teams which we could say were supposed to be participating in this tournament because the President is an icon and you need a big crowd to come and witness the event.

“Every game that we play, we prepare to win and in every competition or Cup that we participate in we always aim to be number one. Our ambition remains the same; we hope to conquer and finish on a high note,” said Murape.

Winners of the Cup will walk away with $45 000, while the runners-up will pocket $35 000.