Murambinda makes Independence Cup history

ON Thursday, Murambinda in Buhera writes its own piece of history when it hosts the country’s two biggest teams — Dynamos and Highlanders — in an Independence Cup match at Murambinda B High School grounds.

Zimbabwe turns 44 on that day and to spice up the festivities, Highlanders will defend the cup in what will be the first-ever clash between the two sides in Manicaland’s Buhera district.

Bosso won the 2023 edition after beating DeMbare 5-3 on penalties in Mt Darwin, Mashonaland Central.

The Bulawayo giants had also won the Cup in 2022, when they edged their bitter rivals 1-0 at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo.

Dynamos and Highlanders’ battles of many decades have been known to take place either in Harare or Bulawayo, making the possibility of the two teams venturing into an area like Murambinda unthinkable.

But now, the reality is that in four days, Zimbabwe’s biggest football teams will descend on Murambinda to play in the Independence Cup, the match taking place soon after the national Independence Day activities at the same venue.

The Independence Cup comes to Murambinda courtesy of the Government’s new policy of holding national events like Independence Day celebrations on a rotational basis.

This is meant to ensure all provinces benefit from the events themselves, and the developments that come with preparations for the occasions.

As the Premier Soccer League’s oldest club, Highlanders believe they have a crucial role to play whenever the country celebrates Independence Day.

“Highlanders are the oldest football institution in the top flight league and as such, they should also play a role when the country celebrates independence,” Highlanders chairperson Kenneth Mhlope told The Sunday Mail Sport.

Highlanders believe youths should be given a chance to play football.

“Young people should participate in the country’s developmental programmes,” said Mhlope.

“At Bosso, we have a programme called Youthification, where we are saying football should be taken to the youths.

“Hence, our participation at Independence Day is also about looking beyond; it’s about the participation of young people in sport. But one thing is clear, we are taking this Cup final seriously and we will field our strongest team.”

Bosso have started the 2024 season on a high and are enjoying their game since the return of Zambian coach Kelvin Kaindu.

On the contrary, Dynamos have had a stuttering start to their 2024 campaign.

DeMbare coach Genesis “Kaka” Mangombe is confident his charges will raise the .bar in the Independence Cup final.

“It’s always important to play this Cup. Last year we lost to Highlanders, but this year we need to win the Cup at all costs,” Mangombe said.

According to Mangombe, winning the Cup will be a morale-booster for his charges.

“If we win the Cup, it will raise our hopes going into the next fixtures,” he said.

“Whenever Dynamos play Highlanders, it’s no friendly match. It’s a historical fixture and winning a Cup is also good for me as a coach,” he said.