Sports / Local
Bosso, DeMbare cross swords
10 Feb 2013 at 07:08hrs | Views
Old foes Highlanders and Dynamos will cross swords in the first leg final of the Bob '89 Super Cup in what promises to be a gruelling battle at Barbourfields this afternoon. Both sides have emphasised that although charity work will be part of the menu, they are gunning for nothing short of victory.
The City of Kings and Queens has already warmed up to the Battle of Zimbabwe and yesterday organisers held road shows in and around the city further stoking the flames.
Winners of the third edition of the Bob '89 Super Cup will walk away with US$100 000 while the losers will pocket US$70 000 for their efforts.
Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu declared that his side will throw caution out of the window and go all out for a morale-boosting victory over DeMbare who beat them to the league title by the slimmest of margins last season.
"It is very important that we win tomorrow (today) as this will psychologically help us a lot ahead of the resumption of league action. Financially, the tournament comes with a good pay cheque so it's also important to win as the money involved will surely help us . . .
"We are also cognisant of the fact that we will be doing some charity work but, as has always been the case when these two sides meet, it will really be a gruelling contest.
"Dynamos are a very good side, the most successful team in Zimbabwean football and we have a lot of respect for them so we will not be leaving anything to chance.
"We are starting the season with the same squad we had last season and this will play to our advantage," said the Bosso coach.
The Bosso coach also revealed that reliable defence stalwart Eric Mudzingwa is a major doubt for the match and he will be guided by advice from the medical team on whether or not to field him.
Dynamos assistant coach Tonderai Ndiraya said they want to use today's match to lighten the burden that awaits them when Bosso visit Harare for the second leg in a fortnight.
"We are here for nothing short of victory. Away goals will also be considered in the event of a stalemate, so we will be playing with a lot of ambition. Last season all our league matches ended in draws so we will be targeting to go a gear up this season.
"We also pipped them to the title on goal difference and they still have the same squad so that shows you they have a squad capable of landing the championship," Ndiraya said.
Asked on what impact the departure of key players like Denver Mukamba, Simba Sithole and Roderick Mutuma was likely to have, Ndiraya said that was the least of his side's headaches.
"That has always been the case with Dynamos. Yes, we lost very influential players and it's natural that they come and go, but the important thing is it also opens room for other stars to emerge and shine," Ndiraya said.
New acquisition Boban Zirintusa is one of those expected to shine for DeMbare and is set to slot in behind strikers Farai Mupasiri and Clive Kawinga in search of glory for DeMbare against Bosso skipper Innocent Mapuranga and Mudzingwa.
Bosso, likely to field in the middle of the park the enforcer Mthulisi Maphosa, the evergreen Masimba Mambare, Bhekimpilo Ncube and the stylish Peter "Rio" Moyo, are bracing for a busy afternoon against the workaholic Devon Chafa whose box-to-box service and endurance is top drawer.
Chafa will not be short on assistance as his skipper Tawanda Muparati is likely to lead from the same department together with the ageless Murape Murape.
When in possession, Bosso can be equally lethal as Ncube, Rio and Mambare's ball artistry is reason for optimism in the Bosso camp.
Cleopas Dube is expected to spearhead Bosso's search for goals together with Milton Ncube. And the two will need to be at their very best to breach the Partson Jaure-marshalled DeMbare rearguard that is also likely to feature Gift Bello, Thomas Magorimbo and the enterprising Ocean Mushure.
Meanwhile, the two protagonists took time off their respective schedules yesterday and visited Lady Stanley Cemetery to pay their respects to former Warriors gunslinger Adam Ndlovu.
The City of Kings and Queens has already warmed up to the Battle of Zimbabwe and yesterday organisers held road shows in and around the city further stoking the flames.
Winners of the third edition of the Bob '89 Super Cup will walk away with US$100 000 while the losers will pocket US$70 000 for their efforts.
Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu declared that his side will throw caution out of the window and go all out for a morale-boosting victory over DeMbare who beat them to the league title by the slimmest of margins last season.
"It is very important that we win tomorrow (today) as this will psychologically help us a lot ahead of the resumption of league action. Financially, the tournament comes with a good pay cheque so it's also important to win as the money involved will surely help us . . .
"We are also cognisant of the fact that we will be doing some charity work but, as has always been the case when these two sides meet, it will really be a gruelling contest.
"Dynamos are a very good side, the most successful team in Zimbabwean football and we have a lot of respect for them so we will not be leaving anything to chance.
"We are starting the season with the same squad we had last season and this will play to our advantage," said the Bosso coach.
The Bosso coach also revealed that reliable defence stalwart Eric Mudzingwa is a major doubt for the match and he will be guided by advice from the medical team on whether or not to field him.
Dynamos assistant coach Tonderai Ndiraya said they want to use today's match to lighten the burden that awaits them when Bosso visit Harare for the second leg in a fortnight.
"We are here for nothing short of victory. Away goals will also be considered in the event of a stalemate, so we will be playing with a lot of ambition. Last season all our league matches ended in draws so we will be targeting to go a gear up this season.
"We also pipped them to the title on goal difference and they still have the same squad so that shows you they have a squad capable of landing the championship," Ndiraya said.
Asked on what impact the departure of key players like Denver Mukamba, Simba Sithole and Roderick Mutuma was likely to have, Ndiraya said that was the least of his side's headaches.
"That has always been the case with Dynamos. Yes, we lost very influential players and it's natural that they come and go, but the important thing is it also opens room for other stars to emerge and shine," Ndiraya said.
New acquisition Boban Zirintusa is one of those expected to shine for DeMbare and is set to slot in behind strikers Farai Mupasiri and Clive Kawinga in search of glory for DeMbare against Bosso skipper Innocent Mapuranga and Mudzingwa.
Bosso, likely to field in the middle of the park the enforcer Mthulisi Maphosa, the evergreen Masimba Mambare, Bhekimpilo Ncube and the stylish Peter "Rio" Moyo, are bracing for a busy afternoon against the workaholic Devon Chafa whose box-to-box service and endurance is top drawer.
Chafa will not be short on assistance as his skipper Tawanda Muparati is likely to lead from the same department together with the ageless Murape Murape.
When in possession, Bosso can be equally lethal as Ncube, Rio and Mambare's ball artistry is reason for optimism in the Bosso camp.
Cleopas Dube is expected to spearhead Bosso's search for goals together with Milton Ncube. And the two will need to be at their very best to breach the Partson Jaure-marshalled DeMbare rearguard that is also likely to feature Gift Bello, Thomas Magorimbo and the enterprising Ocean Mushure.
Meanwhile, the two protagonists took time off their respective schedules yesterday and visited Lady Stanley Cemetery to pay their respects to former Warriors gunslinger Adam Ndlovu.
Source - SN
