Dembare comes to town

IT doesn't get any better!

All roads on Sunday lead to Barbourfields Stadium, a venue that will play host to the much-awaited Castle Lager Premier Soccer League potentially explosive encounter between Highlanders and Dynamos.

Emagumeni will certainly be filled to the rafters, with the Bosso and DeMbare faithful expecting a sumptuous football menu to be dished out.

Dynamos have increased gate charges to US$5 for the rest of the ground. Bosso are smarting from a 2-0 home loss to Chicken Inn.  It was Highlanders' second loss of the season. As such, club captain Ariel Sibanda said there was a need to pick themselves up.

"It has not been an easy season. If you see yourselves going for eight games without conceding goals, obviously you are bound to do so in one of the games. We need to pick ourselves up. We are looking forward to having great support from our fans," said Sibanda.

His sentiments were echoed by his deputy Peter Muduhwa. "Starting Sunday, our fans should help us to pick ourselves up. They have been doing so for the greater part of this season. We should remain united," said the combative Muduhwa.

The first leg match between the antagonists that was also staged at Emagumeni on May 25 ended in a nil all draw.  DeMbare will head into this second instalment of the fierce football meeting as favourites.

Last weekend, the Glamour Boys edged army side Cranborne Bullets 1-0 to take their points tally to 36, five adrift of Amahlolanyama.

Dynamos have an equally strong squad that has club captain Frank Makarati, ever green Emmanuel Jalai, Tanaka Shandirwa and Moyo twins Elvis and Kevin who are interestingly both ex Highlanders junior players. Bosso will be without the services of injured, Darlington Mukuli who became the second player in the Highlanders FC camp to be ruled out for the rest of  the season owing to an injury he picked up in their game against Chicken Inn.

Mukuli joins fellow midfielders Godrey Makaruse and Devine Mhindirira in Bosso's casualty ward.  "Mukuli is out for the rest of the season. It's another big blow for us," said Bosso head coach Baltemar Brito.

Mukuli was stretchered off in the 25th minute and was replaced by Elshamar Farasi who put in a good shift. In other Week 22 matches, defending league champions FC Platinum will on Saturday entertain CAPS United at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane.

Third placed Ngezi Platinum Stars have a date with Manica Diamonds at Baobab Stadium.

Greenfuel will welcome Sheasham at their Chisumbanje base which recently got the greenlight to start staging Premier Soccer League (PSL) matches.

ZPC Kariba will lock horns with Herentals at Nyamhunga Stadium.  Army side Black Rhinos will seek to use home advantage when they face Triangle United at Gweru's Bata Stadium.

Hwange battle Simba Bhora and Yadah Stars will be home to Cranborne Bullets.

Week22Fixtures

Saturday

Green Fuel Sheasham (Green Fuel), FC Platinum CAPS United (Mandava Stadium), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Manica Diamonds (Baobab), Chicken Inn v Bulawayo Chiefs (Luveve Stadium), ZPC Kariba v Herentals (Nyamhunga), Black Rhinos v Triangle United (Bata)

Sunday

 Yadah FC v Cranborne Bullets (Gibbo), Hwange v Simba Bhora (Baobab Stadium), Dynamos v Highlanders (Barbourfields Stadium).