Tensions are simmering in the Highlanders and Dynamos camps ahead of the Battle of Zimbabwe showdown set for Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo on Sunday. Highlanders’ coach Mandla, ‘Lulu’ Mpofu, is under immense pressure going into the tie against perennial rivals Dynamos in Zimbabwe’s second-largest city.
After only managing three wins out of 14 games, fans have questioned Mpofu’s pedigree to bring back the glory to the club. Fans have vowed to use the high profile clash to express their disgust and push management to get rid of the coach. They plan to walk out of the stadium in the 70th minute.
Their opponents also have trouble with players reportedly disgruntled over unpaid winning bonuses. Dynamos are leading in the title race with 30 points, two clear of second-placed Chicken Inn after 14 matches. When their rivals are paying a premium to motivate their players, it has emerged that the Harare giants have not paid winning bonuses to their stars since the start of the season.
As a result, morale is at its lowest in the DeMbare camp, according to multiple sources. The only thing that has kept the simmering tension from blowing over, according to the sources, is the players’ respect for head coach Tonderai Ndiraya.
“If it wasn’t for Ndiraya, it could have been chaotic here,” a player told Newsday Sport. “He has been keeping us calm and asking us to focus on playing and winning matches.” Players are reportedly owed over US$1 000 [R16 100] each in winning bonuses from the team’s nine victories and three draws in the league so far.
According to the bonus structure at Dynamos, each player is entitled to US$100 [R1 600] for every win the team gets and US$50 [R800] each for a draw. Interestingly, high-flying Dynamos have not beaten their bitter rivals in open play since 2015 and would want to break that jinx. In April, Highlanders beat the Harare side 1-0 to lift the Independence Cup.
However, former Dynamos midfielder Ronald ‘Gidiza’ Sibanda tips the Glamour Boys to win the Sunday tie. He called on fans to desist from violent behaviour and accept the match officials’ decisions and results. “I watched the Independence Cup final; it was one of the best games I have watched in the recent past between Highlanders and Dynamos and other league matches.
“I hope they continue with the good football. I expect a good game on Sunday and pray that the fans desist from violence and hooliganism. Statistics favour Dynamos, but anything can happen when these two sides meet. But this time, Dynamos will get it right,” Sibanda said.
