By Lovemore Boora
TRADITIONAL arch-rivals Dynamos FC and Highlanders FC are set to clash in the 2024 President’s Independence Trophy at Murambinda B Secondary School today (Thursday April 18).
The curtain-raiser will pit Manicaland-based Manica Diamonds against the ambitious Simba Bhora in a match to be played soon after the annual Children’s Party at Murambinda A Primary School 24 hours earlier.
There are no minnows in this winner-take all encounter. As the home team by default and first-time participants, the diamond miners, will be looking forward to impress their die-hard fans. They will also, no doubt, be thirsting for revenge for the 2-3 setback they suffered at the hands of their nemesis on Match Day 1 of the new season.
But Simba Bhora will not be taking the match lightly either, as they, too, are hungry for a piece of silverware to take back home to Shamva. But for that to become mission possible, they will have to keep up the momentum they have displayed home and away in the season’s opening six fixtures.
This is the third time the Uhuru commemorations will be held outside Harare in line with the Second Republic’s drive to leave no-one and no place behind after Bulawayo and Mashonaland Central (Mt Darwin) hosted the last two commemorations.
DeMbare and Bosso, the most supported teams in the country, will clash at the newly built stadium at Murambinda B Secondary School.
Highlanders have beaten Dynamos in the last two editions of the Uhuru Cup at Barbourfields Stadium and Mt Darwin respectively.
In the 42nd edition, Stanley Ngala’s (pictured) strike sealed victory for the Bulawayo giants while last year a 10-man Bosso beat the Glamour Boys in a penalty shootout, giving Highlanders the bragging rights as they go into this clash, which has all the hallmarks of an El Clasico.
Bosso supporters, for whom distance is no barrier, are expected to paint one side of the newly built terraces black and white.
The remainder of the stadium will be sea of blue and white as Chazunguza faithful will be after revenge following their team’s 2-1 loss at Barbourfields in the opening fixture of the 2024 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
This year’s commemorations will be held under the theme, ‘Zim@44: Unity Peace and Development Towards Vision 2030’.
President Mnangagwa will deliver the keynote address to a bumper crowd that is expected to number anything between 70 000-100 000 people, amongst them foreign dignitaries, Government officials and Zimbabweans from all walks of life.
Away from the soccer extravaganza, the Government of Zimbabwe and the Independence Day Organising Committee are working around the clock to ensure the celebrations proceed without a hitch. So far,
they have mobilised 300 buses to ferry people from around the country to Murambinda, with 150 buses set aside for the host province. The balance will cater for the other nine provinces.
Government has also mobilised trucks while several well-wishers have pledged to do the same.
Meanwhile, all roads leading to the venue have been renovated and secure parking space created, thus ensuring peace of mind for the bus and truck drivers as well as those travelling to the venue in their own vehicles.
The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Mugadza, said preparations were 90 percent complete by Monday.
“Some areas are already at 100 percent. Roads leading to the venue are 90 percent ready. The Murambinda-Birchenough Road has been spruced up. The Nyazura-Chivhu Highway was previously littered with potholes but that is now history. Other feeder roads are all done.
“The stadium is almost complete. Workers are working on the terraces, drawing lines on the pitch and putting up the final touches to the changing rooms.”
In addition to the 150 buses provided by Government, the province was also mobilising hundreds of lorries and other forms of transport.
“We are not only looking at buses but trucks and cars. I am expecting no less than 1 000 cars and trucks for this year’s Independence Day programme. The buses are meant mostly for the elderly while the youths will get into the lorries, singing and celebrating the country’s Independence.
“To date, 100 000 litres of fuel have been procured and more is expected in the coming days,” Advocate Mugadza added.
In order to prevent an outbreak of cholera, Government has drilled boreholes to supply safe potable water. While food vending is banned, food packs will be provided for the thousands of Zimbabweans who are expected to throng Murambinda, according to Advocate Mugadza.
The football fiesta is, however, just one of the many highlights of Zimbabwe’s 44th Independence Anniversary celebrations.
According to the programme of events, Murambinda B Primary School will also host the Independence Music Gala featuring a galaxy of stars in the mould of
Simon Macheso, Nicholas Zakaria, Mark Ngwazi, Simon Mutambi, Chief Hwenje, Sulumani Chimbetu, Andy Muridzo, Sandra Ndebele, Agartha Murudzwa, Diana Samkange, Tswai Tswai, Bio D. T. Mudimba, Jah Master, Mathias Mhere, DJ Fantan, Tambaoga and Shantelle Sithole, among others.
Independence Day is a special day for all Zimbabweans as it is a time to honour the sacrifices made by the gallant sons and daughters of the soil who fought to liberate the country from colonial rule.
Dynamos, Highlanders, Manica Diamonds and Simba Bhora are, indeed, honoured to be part in this year’s event.
The same does for the performing artistes.
Long live our hard-fought Uhuru!
