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Lovemore Dube in BULAWAYO
THE leaders of Highlanders and How Mine, whose two teams meet in a Mbada Diamonds Cup final this afternoon, have described the occasion as historic as it is the first time in 25 years that two city teams meet at that level. City clubs have not met in a cup final of one of the major tournaments of the season since July 1988 when Highlanders edged Zimbabwe Saints 1-0 in the Rothmans Shield Cup final.

But the flagship knock-out tournament then was the Castle Cup and it means that this is the first time, in 51 years of organised Cup competitions in this country, that two Bulawayo teams have met in the final of the biggest tourney.

Peter Dube, the Highlanders chairman, and his How Mine counterpart, Mlondolozi Nkomo, called on soccer fans to come and celebrate the unique Cup Final.

Both concurred that there had never been such a derby where two teams from Bulawayo clashed in the FA Cup final and this was reason for the soccer fans to celebrate a historic feature.

How Mine surprised all sundry by knocking out Black Rhinos, former champions Dynamos and CAPS United to reach this stage of the competition.

Nkomo said it was a moment worth celebrating by all accounts.

“It feels great, it’s an honour to be one of the two city teams meeting at this stage of the competition, to be in a position to write some piece of history.

“It’s an opportunity for Bulawayo to rise and celebrate, for us it’s a dream cup final, it’s the best thing that could have happened to the city’s football.

“As How Mine we are happy it’s happening for the people of Bulawayo and Zimbabwe,” said Nkomo.

He said complacency would not be a factor this afternoon despite the fact that Highlanders are yet to beat How Mine in 180 minutes of league football this year.

The tournament favourites have also not scored against the miners and will be in full force to break that jinx and put smiles on the faces of their fans who have not tasted Cup glory in a long time.

“We have prepared to compete against Highlanders. They are the more experienced side we know but that will not be a factor.

“There won’t be any complacency to worry about among our boys as they know the challenge before them.

“Highlanders are a great team and we respect them but we will put that aside for the duration of the game,” said Nkomo.

He said it would be good for his players to win something for the company and supporters who have been behind the club since its Division One days last year.

Dube, who was part of the crowd at the last Cup Final pitting two city sides in Bulawayo in that sunny afternoon of July 1988, said he was happy about the historical aspect of the game. Bosso, in that year, avenged their 1-2 loss in the Chibuku Trophy to their neighbours Zimbabwe Saints.

Chikwata was completing back-to-back victories over Bosso in the same tournament after the two teams had clashed in 1976 in the final surprisingly moved to Harare.

There had been a lot of debate about whether to have the 1988 Cup final in Bulawayo or Harare, but when reason prevailed, it was decided that the City of Kings was the logical venue since both teams boasted a big and passionate following.

Mbada Diamonds have to be commended for giving Bulawayo the honour of playing host to an historic FA Cup final.

Dube said he was happy to have his lads still in contention for another piece of silverware in another year he described as a good after his charges missed the championship on goal difference.

He described his players as having put everything in the last two years to ensure Bosso returns to being a football brand that so many people are talking about out of concern and suggesting so many ideas to make it an even better entity.

“Over the past two years, we have seen the club’s stock growing to an extent where our members and fans have come back to stadia.

“Where ever they are, be it the Mbada Cup or the league, they are debating on the way forward, we are so happy for all this and we wish the boys win the Mbada Cup and that our fans come in numbers to celebrate a good year.

“We are so happy by the commitment shown by the boys. They have shown that regardless of where you come from soccer is a unifier and there is also reason to fight to be the best,” said Dube.

He praised his team’s fans for coming in numbers throughout the season to support the team.

“This is a great opportunity for fans to come and watch the team for the last time a few weeks before Christmas, we hope they come in great numbers and rally behind the boys in this surely historic Cup Final,’ said Dube.