Castle Lager Premier Soccer League week 17 resume this weekend with the much anticipated match pitting perennial rivals between Bulawayo giants Highlanders and Harare giants Dynamos at Barbourfields in the reverse fixture after Bosso were narrowly defeated 3-2 at Rufaro Stadium a fortnight ago.
Bosso will be out guns blazing for revenge after a controversial decision by the referee that saw them being denied the crucial equalizer. Highlanders will be hoping to finally end jinx of their beaten run to Dynamos that stretches back from 2006.
Both teams have started the second half of the season on a slow note after they drew two of their games, Highlanders drew twice against second-placed Triangle at Barbourfields and away in Gibbo. While The Glamour Boys drew 1 – 1 with Hwange at Colliery and 0 – 0 at Rufaro Stadium.
The Bulawayo giants are in an unfamiliar position on the log table with just 21 points from 16 games, while Dynamos are on 28 points from similar games after they were displaced by How Mine two weeks ago to fourth place. Both teams have something to fight for in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Given the previous encounters, some people are expecting this match to attract violence and Highlanders have engaged the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) for tighter security at Barbourfields, while Dynamos are allegedly threating not to fulfil the encounter citing security concerns.
Dynamos Assistant Coach, Tonderai Ndiraya is very optimistic about the crucial weekend encounter and he is very aware of the threat posed by his opponents.
“We don’t expect to just get easy points against Highlanders, but we have done our homework and we want to collect maximum points. We have to be very consistent during the second half of the season,” said Ndiraya.
Bosso gaffer Bongani Mafu is confident that they have started the second half of the season on a positive note and that Barbourfields will be favourable to them the second half of the season.
“We started the second half with a draw that we could easily have won. Dynamos could not touch us when we played them in Harare and we should just continue with how we played at Rufaro.
“We now have to stop conceding goals especially at Barbourfields,” revealed Mafu.
Caps United will lock horns with Harare City at National Sports Stadium on Sunday in what promises to be a trilling Harare derby. The Sunshine City Boys will enter into the derby after they drew two all with debutants Flame Lily and they will be hoping to collect maximum points against the Green Machine.
CAPS United will be hoping to redeem themselves and collect maximum points after they were held to a goalless draw by log leaders Chicken Inn.
Debutants Dongo Sawmils will host log-leaders Chicken Inn at Vhengere Stadium and they have an uphill task to beat the Gamecocks despite having the home advantage.
On Saturday ZPC Kariba will host in-form Triangle at Nyamhunga Stadium and ZPC Kariba coach Sunday Chidzambwa will be hoping to register his first win since taking over as head coach.
New comers Chapungu will welcome Whawha at Ascot Stadium in what promises to be an interesting Gweru derby, whilst Flame Lily date fellow debutants at Lafarge Stadium.
Action continue on Sunday as Buffaloes host FC Platinum at Sakubva Stadium and the Mutare army based outfit will be hoping reverse the two nil deficit. It will be the battle of miners at Colliery Stadium when Hwange date How Mine.
Weekend Fixtures
SATURDAY 25TH JULY 2015
- Flame Lily FC Vs Tsholotsho FC Lafarge Stadium 1500hrs
- ZPC Kariba FC Vs Triangle United FC Nyamhunga Stadium 1500hrs
- Chapungu FC Vs Whawha FC Ascot Stadium 1400hrs SS
SUNDAY 26TH JULY 2015
- Dongo Sawmill FC vs Chicken Inn FC Vengere Stadium 1500hrs
- Hwange FC Vs How Mine FC Colliery Stadium 1500hrs
- Highlanders FC Vs Dynamos FC Barbourfields Stadium 1500hrs SS
- Buffaloes FC Vs FC Platinum Sakubva Stadium 1500hrs
- Caps United FC Vs Harare City FC National Sports Stadium 1500hrs
