Jairos Jiri fire for Benjani & Genenis

Innocent Kurira, [email protected]

Highlanders and Dynamos begin the new season carrying visible bruises, the kind that do not fade just because a campaign has ended. Last season, Zimbabwe’s two most decorated clubs were glancing over their shoulders, scraping for survival rather than chasing silverware, a sobering shift that forced hard questions inside both camps.

This is not a rehearsal ground. Barbourfields has never treated Dynamos visits as friendly dates, and context sharpens everything. For Mwaruwari, appointed amid raw emotion following Bosso’s turbulent campaign, this is his first public test in charge. For Mangombe, it is a return to a club that once dismissed him, now offering a second chance that comes with little patience and even less nostalgia.

Football analyst Dalu Bhebhe believes the fixture offers an early glimpse into how both appointments might unfold.
“This is always a difficult and exciting fixture because these are two giants of local football,” said Bhebhe. “What makes it different now is that both teams have new head coaches. Their appointments were not universally accepted, so this match gives them a chance to show what they are about. You will see new systems, new combinations, and it gives an idea of what direction both clubs are taking.”

That sense of transition runs through both camps. Neither side has fully stabilised after a season that exposed structural weaknesses on and off the pitch. Recruitment has been cautious, shaped less by ambition than by limited resources, as wealthier clubs continue to dominate the market.

Dumi Dhlakama, another long time observer of the domestic game, sees Sunday less as a verdict and more as an assessment exercise.

“It’s a good opportunity for Benjani and Genesis to look closely at their squads,” said Dhlakama. “Matches between these two are always intense, no matter the competition. Fans will come in numbers and the atmosphere at BF will feel like a big occasion.”

Still, Dhlakama warns against drawing sweeping conclusions.
“I don’t think the result will define their season,” he said. “There will still be changes before the league starts in March. Both teams are shopping from what is left after the moneybags have done their business, so competing with the free spending sides will be difficult for Bosso and DeMbare.”

That financial reality leaves both clubs leaning on what they have never lacked, a vast and demanding support base. Loyalty will drive them forward, but it also tightens the spotlight.

For Mwaruwari, Sunday cuts deeper than a standard pre-season outing.
At Highlanders, belief is not granted slowly. It is seized in moments that matter. Matches against Dynamos shape reputations and set moods. A convincing performance could buy him breathing space as he settles into the role. A flat display could harden scrutiny before a league ball is even kicked.

Dynamos arrive in Bulawayo after conducting part of their pre-season camp in Hwange, a move aimed at sharpening fitness away from distractions. Gate charges for Sunday have been set at US$5 for the rest of the ground, US$15 for VIP and US$20 for VVIP, figures that suggest organisers expect a strong turnout.

The stakes may be unofficial, but the consequences feel real. For two clubs still searching for solid ground, Sunday is less about lifting a cup and more about whether old scars are healing or simply being hidden.