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Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
ZIFA are set for a test case this afternoon as Dynamos have vowed they will not show up for the rescheduled Independence Cup final against FC Platinum at Rufaro.

FC Platinum arrived in Harare yesterday for the match but chaos is expected at Rufaro as the Glamour Boys have insisted they won’t fulfil the replay.

The Uhuru Cup final was abandoned after 65 minutes due to a power cut at the National Sports Stadium on Independence Day with Dynamos leading 1-0.

ZIFA ordered a fresh start and yesterday the association’s communications manager Xolisani Gwesela said Dynamos should heed the order to play.

“The match will go ahead as scheduled. Independence celebrations are part of a Government programme and ZIFA are coming in as technical experts.

“So for Dynamos to say that they are not taking part will be implying that they are against the Government.

“We are urging our affiliate Dynamos to co-operate fully in this regard. We explained to them that they should fulfil the fixture,” said Gwesela.

However, the Glamour Boys yesterday stuck to their guns. DeMbare chairman Kenny Mubaiwa said his club does not have any obligation to fulfil the Uhuru Cup final now.

Mubaiwa said, besides the match having lost its essence, DeMbare does not have the resources to meet the costs of participating.

“They wrote to us reminding us that the Independence Cup is on this week but we wrote back to them explaining our position,” said Mubaiwa.

“We have already stated our reasons. It’s not possible for us to play, we cannot take part especially with the situation we find ourselves in as a club.

“The good thing is we didn’t catch them by surprise. We notified them of our position well in advance, I think some three weeks ago, and by now they should have found a replacement if they really wanted this game to take place.

Dynamos will travel to Bulawayo this week for the league clash with How Mine following a 1-0 win over FC Platinum in a league match last Sunday.

If they make a last-minute change of heart, the clubs could be clashing again this afternoon. FC Platinum spokesperson, Chido Chizondo, said their team was already in Harare in anticipation of the game. The platinum miners are holders of the Cup following last year’s penalty shoot-out victory over the Harare giants.

“We are ready to play. Our team is already in Harare for the game. Of course, we had very little time to prepare for it because we were there again at the weekend. “It’s quite hectic, just like when we were playing those Confederation Cup games. “But, like any other team in such a situation, the coaches will have to see which combinations to use. We have enough players in our squad to fulfil all the obligations,” said Chizondo.

The Uhuru Cup final is usually free for supporters since it is part of the main Independence Day celebrations programme. But ZIFA have set gate charges for the replay to cover some of the expenses.

Supporters are expected to pay $2 for the cheapest ticket, $5 for the grand stand and $10 for the VIP.

However, the majority of the fans have threatened to stay away and the social media sites yesterday were inundated with messages from DeMbare fans, the majority of whom were saying they will not come to Rufaro.

Fixtures

Today: Independence Cup Final

FC Platinum v Dynamos

Castle Lager Premiership

Friday: Tsholotsho v Dongo Sawmill (White City)

Saturday: Chicken Inn v Highlanders (Barbourfields), Harare City v Hwange (Rufaro),Flame Lily v Buffaloes (Lafarge), FC Platinum v Triangle (Mandava), Whawha v ZPC Kariba (Ascot)

Sunday

How Mine v Dynamos (Barbourfields), CAPS United v Chapungu (NSS)