BARBOURFIELDS BRACES FOR WAR AS BOSSO, DEMBARE COLLIDE IN SURVIVAL SHOWDOWN

The country’s biggest football rivalry explodes into life again this Sunday when Highlanders host Dynamos at Barbourfields Stadium, but this time, pride is not the only thing on the line, survival is.

For the first time in years, both giants of Zimbabwean football find themselves peering nervously over their shoulders, caught in an unexpected relegation dogfight. Only two points separate them, Highlanders in ninth and Dynamos in 14th, in what has become one of the most unpredictable seasons in recent memory.

And at the centre of it all stands Kelvin Kaindu, a man who knows both sides of this emotional battlefield. Just six months ago, he was in charge of Bosso. On Sunday, he returns to Emagumeni wearing Dynamos colours, commanding a side desperate to climb out of danger.

“It’s a big game for both teams, two points separating us, which makes it interesting,” Kaindu said. “Facing my former team comes with emotion, but I’m now a Dynamos coach, and my focus is on getting the result for my club.”

The storyline writes itself: the architect returns to dismantle his own creation. When Kaindu left Highlanders mid-season, they were sitting ninth, showing defensive solidity but lacking the killer instinct in attack. His successor, Pieter “Champ” De Jongh, inherited that same squad, one largely built by Kaindu himself.

Now, fate has brought the two together in a clash that could define not only their teams’ seasons but their own reputations.

Since joining Dynamos mid-season, Kaindu has steadied the ship, guiding DeMbare to five unbeaten matches, picking up 11 points from a possible 15. Bosso, in contrast, have only managed six points in that period, a worrying sign ahead of the derby.

Yet, if history is anything to go by, Highlanders have held the upper hand in recent years. Dynamos’ last open play victory over their fierce rivals came in 2017. Their 2023 win came only through boardroom decision after the infamous abandoned match at BF. Since then, Bosso have responded with back to back triumphs and a goalless draw earlier this year.

Kaindu insists Sunday could be different.

“If you look at our recent games, we’ve been consistent. We just need to keep the rhythm and make sure our tactics work,” he said. “The Barbourfields atmosphere can be ruthless, but we must stay composed. One game can change everything.”

The return to Barbourfields will be more than tactical, it will be emotional. For the Bosso faithful, Kaindu remains a respected son of the soil. For the Dynamos camp, he’s the man tasked with steering a sleeping giant back to safety.

But at Emagumeni, sentiment counts for nothing. The crowd will roar, the drums will thunder, and the air will be thick with rivalry.

This is not just another Battle of Zimbabwe. It’s a meeting of history and desperation, a clash where one legend’s redemption could be another’s downfall.

When Kaindu walks out of that tunnel on Sunday, he will not only face Highlanders. He will face his past.