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Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
CAN Highlanders get it right this afternoon when they meet old foes Dynamos in the TM Pick n Pay Challenge Cup at the National Sports Stadium?
The Bulawayo giants landed in Harare yesterday with renewed hope as they seek to break the jinx that has spanned over eight years.
The rivalry between the teams has always been tense but this time Highlanders have an extra incentive.

Besides the handsome package, which includes US$60 000 purse for the winners in just over 90 minutes of play, this could be the last chance for Highlanders this year to score back some points against their old rivals.

A big crowd is expected as the organisers have slashed the gate charges to as little as US$1 for the cheapest ticket while primary school-going children under the age of 13, accompanied by adults, will have free entrance.

The giants have met three times this year and on all occasions the contests were top drawer.

Disappointingly, for Highlanders, the script remained the same.

The Highlanders camp should have been going through a lot of emotions, knowing they need to find ways to end a jinx, especially following a goalless home draw with Buffaloes during the midweek, while DeMbare appeared relaxed in the build-up to this match.

Zimbabwe international Augustine Mbara, who wore the captain’s armband in the Glamour Boys’ 2-0 victory over Chiredzi on Wednesday, told The Saturday Herald that they are expecting a competitive match considering what is at stake.

Mbara said they were geared up to maintain their dominance against the former league champions.

“I think this is going to be a very tough match because we have beaten these guys several times. It’s obvious they would want to score some points back.

“So we are looking forward to a more fired-up Highlanders. We are not going to be distracted, though. We are ready for them. Everything is in good order,” said Mbara.

Dynamos have bullied their opponents in the last eight years and they managed to maintain the supremacy this season after winning both league matches by identical 1-0 scorelines.

DeMbare also met Bosso during the pre-season and triumphed 2-0 in the Bob@90 Super Cup at Rufaro.

The Glamour Boys received a big boost with the recovery of key players such as Ocean Mushure, Tawanda Muparati and Sydney Linyama, who had been down with injuries.

Midfield kingpin Stephen Alimenda, who missed the midweek assignment due to a knock, is also expected to be up for selection as he was included in the final 18.

Diminutive midfielders Tafadzwa Rusike, Ronald Chitiyo and striker Roderick Mutuma have been in good form for the Harare giants and are expected to play a big part again this afternoon.

Dynamos skipper Murape Murape said morale is high in their camp and are looking to subdue their opponents again.

“Facing Highlanders is something that we always cherish. It’s rightly named the ‘Battle of Zimbabwe’ and for sure we always go out there to fight for every point.

“We don’t feel comfortable losing to Highlanders and I am sure they also feel the same when playing against us. The rivalry has always been there.

“But this one, being a Cup game, can go either way.

“We don’t have to bank on past records. We need to work hard and fight hard. We have the quality, the confidence and the ability. We don’t doubt ourselves,” said Murape.

The sponsors have spiced up the competition by including an individual prize worth US$2 000 for the outstanding player.

Highlanders have made it clear they are coming to get their revenge.

Bosso know they could have done better when the teams last met in Bulawayo a few weeks ago but they went to sleep and were punished when Mutuma pounced on a second half opportunity.

As usual, the spirits are high and there is a strong air of self-belief in their camp.

The team’s captain Innocent Mapuranga, just like his coach Kelvin Kaindu, believes their time has come.

“God’s time is the best and I think this is the time (to revenge). Everyone is prepared, the morale is high and we are all looking forward to this game.

“Our coach is always telling us to focus and I think we are all up for it,” said Mapuranga.

“As Highlanders, we don’t rely on history. Of course we have played them many times but this is a different game. We treat every game as it comes.

“We look forward to a good game and I think there will be a thriller at the National Sports Stadium,” said Mapuranga.

Bosso welcome the league’s top goal scorer Charles Sibanda back in the fold after the forward missed the disappointing draw with Buffaloes during the midweek.

Warriors forward Simba Sithole is set to make his debut for the Bulawayo giants after regularising his papers this week as he joined them from South Africa’s Ajax Cape Town.

Both teams have almost all their key players up and running following the recovery of Simon Munawa, Rahman Kutsanzira, Kudzayi Machazane and Joel Ngodzo.

Veteran forward Njabulo Ncube and Pasca Manhanga were also included in the squad.

“We have been crying about injuries but the good thing is that most of the guys have improved. Our worry was on Dumisani Ndlovu who picked up another injury on Wednesday but the doctors are working hard on him and we expect him to be will be available for the match.

“We look forward to a good match. The boys are in high spirits and everyone is up for it,” said Kaindu.