The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
Sports Reporter
FOR someone like Gift “Thebe” Lunga, who played for both Highlanders and CAPS United, the Battle of the Cities fixture pitting the two giants is an explosive clash that goes beyond bragging rights.
Lunga turned out for Highlanders between 1995 and 2004 before joining Makepekepe for a two-year stint. He, however, later retraced his footsteps. He won four league titles with Highlanders from 1999 to 2002, before missing a fifth medal in 2006 when he was at CAPS United. The winger-turned-defender played a part in the historic 2004 back-to-back Battle of the Cities fixtures, which produced 13 goals and are regarded as the most explosive encounters between Bosso and Makepekepe in the Premiership era.
Highlanders and CAPS United featured in a 3-3 deadlock at Barbourfields Stadium before the former became the only side to overcome Charles Mhlauri’s men in another thriller that ended 4-3 in Bosso’s favour at the National Sports Stadium.
Makepekepe and Bosso meet for the 55th time in the Premier Soccer League this afternoon.
It is also the first time the Battle of the Cities is being staged since Covid-19 wreaked havoc on domestic and international sport.
The National Sports Stadium is the setting of the epic showdown this afternoon.
“All the games between CAPS United were very exciting and very tight contests. The team that wanted it more usually got the three points,” Lunga told The Sunday Mail Sport.
“The major drive in this fixture is the need to protect your city’s bragging rights. When I was at Highlanders, it was an abomination to lose against a team from Harare.
“Even when I moved to CAPS United, I also didn’t want to lose to Bosso because I was now fighting for Harare. So this fixture is down to the players themselves; coaches play a minimal role.”
Former CAPS United goalkeeper Witness Munkuli, who was in goals for Makepekepe during those riveting back-to-back clashes in 2004, also noted how this battle would turn violent at times.
“I still remember 2004 very well. We drew 3-3 at BF (Babourfields), yet at some point we were 3-0 down. The comeback stunned Highlanders fans, who turned violent and threw missiles onto the pitch.
“The match was abandoned in the 89th minute but the result stood,” recalled Munkuli. “Then came the second leg at the National Sports Stadium, which we lost 4-3. What a massive game that was. My opposite number, Tapuwa Kapini, scored twice: One from the spot and from a long-range free-kick. “Those were really tight games. The name Battle of Cities itself tells you all. If you are CAPS United, you are fighting for Harare, and if you are Highlanders, you are fighting for Bulawayo,” he said.
Former wing-back Cephas Chimedza, who won the 2004 Soccer Star of the Year award with CAPS United, also reminded the current players the importance of this age-old rivalry.
“I grew up in the Dynamos family and Highlanders were the number one enemy. So, for me, even when I moved to CAPS United, the feeling remained the same because it was in me. “So I have to say the matches against Bosso were always and remain special,” said the Belgium-based Chimedza.
As if on cue, both sides, who had false starts to the season, appear to have found their touch in time for today’s clash.
CAPS United have won both their matches since the embarrassing 6-2 drubbing against Manica Diamonds, while Highlanders bounced back to winning ways with an emphatic 4-0 triumph over Herentals on Sunday.
For die-hard Bosso fans, this game is one they really have to prove they have turned the corner, as their only other victory came against whipping boys Whawha.
For Makepekepe, a third win on the bounce against an old enemy would certainly earn them the desired trust from their millions of supporters.
“The fact that we have won two consecutive games gives us a good feeling going into a game of this magnitude,” CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe said.
“But in football the past does not have a bearing in your present challenge. Highlanders are a new challenge altogether.”
CAPS United have been boosted by the return of the versatile Valentine Musarurwa, who was sent off in the game against Manica Diamonds three weeks ago.
“He (Musarurwa) is one of us, so, yeah, it is good to have him back because he gives us more options. But, I must say those who played in his absence also did very well,” added Chitembwe.
Despite criticism from some quarters for assembling a squad of ageing players, the Makepekepe gaffer seems to have built a united dressing room that is full of warriors who are willing to die for their coach.
“The players have never been a disappointment. Their attitude is out of this world.
“I have seen a very positive improvement in the last two weeks. Football is down to the state of the mind, and my players have a good mentality.”
Former Soccer Stars of the Year Dennis Dauda (2014) and Rodwell Chinyengetere (2017 and 2018) are 33 and 34, respectively.
Marshal Machazane (35), Devon Chafa (31), Phineas Bamusi (31) and Ronald Chitiyo (29) also form the core of the CAPS United team.
The 30-year-old free-scoring striker, William Manondo, has also been key to the Green Machine’s campaign.
He is currently the league’s top scorer with six goals. CAPS United go into today’s match with 10 points from seven matches.
But, Highlanders intend to upstage CAPS United in much the same way they did in 2004 at the same venue.
Curiously, Bosso are yet to score away from home this season and could break that jinx this afternoon.
“If you look at this campaign, CAPS United tend to concede and we create chances. From there, you can see how much the game is likely to pan out,” said Highlanders assistant coach Bekithemba Ndlovu.
Ndlovu addressed the press in Bulawayo on Thursday in the absence of head coach Mandla Mpofu, who was attending to pressing family issues.
“Preparations have gone well. Everything looks on track. The boys are in high spirits because of the victory last weekend.”
Ndlovu thinks the meeting between the two giants could also be a big tactical battle, but he is convinced his charges are ready for the assignment.
The Bulawayo giants are banking on the experience of goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda, Nqobizitha Masuku, Peter Muduhwa, Joel Ngodzo and Rahman Kutsanzira.
Their strikers Lynoth Chikuhwa and Stanley Ngala were both on target against Herentals on Sunday.
However, statistics are against Bosso, who have not beaten CAPS United in the league since July 17, 2006 when they edged their rivals 1-0 at Barbourfields.
Highlanders’ last league win against CAPS United at the National Sports Stadium was on August 11, 2012 when they secured a 2-0 victory.
Four of their last five meetings have ended in draws, while CAPS United won their last meeting 2-1 at the giant venue on August 18, 2019.
That was before Covid-19 put a halt to this interesting fixture on the domestic football calendar.
