Blockbuster fixture in PSL Match Day One

. . . Bosso, DeMbare face off at Barbourfields

Tadious Manyepo

IT has been said that big fixtures can either make or break a player.

But for Dynamos winger Keith Madera, it seems he has surprisingly remained grounded and as laid back as he was when he was still with Black Rhinos some two years ago.

It does not matter that last year the 24-year-old won his first top-flight trophy — the Chibuku Super Cup — with the Glamour Boys.

It does not matter he played key roles as Genesis “Kaka” Mangombe guided the Glamour Boys to their first trophy in nine years.

He was supposed to sparkle in the big Harare Derby against CAPS United and in the Battle of Zimbabwe against Highlanders.

Dynamos faced the Green Machine three times, twice in the league and once in the Chibuku Super Cup.

They won all of those games, but it was Donald Mudadi, Tanaka Shandirwa and Elton Chikona who emerged with improved profiles.

Shandirwa and Mudadi eventually made it on the Premiership’s Soccer Star of the Year calendar, while Chikona won the Most Promising Player award.

The Harare giants faced Highlanders twice in the league.

The first encounter, which was played on May 28, 2023, ended in a goalless draw at Barbourfields.

The second did not last the distance.

Played at the same venue because Dynamos were homeless due to a stadium crisis in Harare, the showdown turned ugly and had to be abandoned eight minutes before the interval.

Dynamos were leading 2-0.

Madera was having a field day as he had opened the scoring two minutes into the tie, before captain Frank Makarati doubled the lead.

This was Madera’s moment to shine but the match was aborted after crowd trouble.

Although the game was eventually awarded to Dynamos on a 3-0 scoreline in the boardroom, the exploits of Madera on that punishingly hot afternoon on September 10, 2023 were quickly forgotten.

The player believes he has some unfinished business with Bosso.

He is already salivating at the chance to square up against Highlanders when the two sides meet for the first instalment of the “Battle of Zimbabwe” at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon.

“I think that was my best game in Dynamos colours, but the unfortunate happened.

“The game didn’t end the way we had hoped,” said Madera.

“So, in a way, I can say I have unfinished business at Barbourfields against Highlanders.

“It is good that the fixture has come this early in the season. I know it’s not really about me but it’s about my team, Dynamos.

“We are looking forward to the fixture and, as Dynamos, we have been talking about it since the fixture was released by the PSL.

“We are ready to rumble. We need the bragging rights and to lay a marker in the early stages of the campaign.

“This is a big match featuring two of the country’s biggest teams and, for me, it is a proud moment to be part and parcel of the day’s proceedings.

“But above all, we want to win and give the fans value for their money.”

This tie is often very volatile, given it is more than just the three points up for grabs.

Bragging rights are at stake.

Mangombe described the encounter as the “biggest game in the land”.

“The rivalry is healthy for our game and we should enjoy it without harming football,” said Mangombe.

“We are relishing the tie, and I should say we are ready for the fixture. We have played one competitive match so far, the Castle Challenge Cup, which we lost to Ngezi Platinum Stars a fortnight ago.

“It helped us gauge ourselves and we have adjusted accordingly. But all that doesn’t count when it comes to matches between Dynamos and Highlanders.

“This is the biggest game in the land and whoever does the right thing on the day wins.

“I am confident that we will do well and make our fans proud.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to plead with both sets of supporters to value the game, which they own.

“They are the owners of the game and they should protect it.”

The fans have since pledged to uphold peace, especially after their engagement with the Premier Soccer League two weeks ago.

It will be interesting to see how the match will pan out given the return of Kelvin Kaindu as the Highlanders coach.

“Starting my reign against Dynamos as a Highlanders returnee draws mixed feelings.

“However, I am excited ahead of this game. This is a fixture that was always going to come whether on Match Day One or 17,” he said.

“So, it comes early and we are prepared for it. We have assembled a good squad and we are looking forward to being competitive.

“Dynamos is a big team and so are we. This is not just a big fixture in Zimbabwe but one of the biggest on the continent. We are ready for it, and we are calling on fans to come in their numbers to cheer up the boys.”