HIGHLANDERS coach Baltemar Brito has said the decision to cancel the blockbuster Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) tie against Dynamos at short notice has the net effect of protecting Dynamos, who are dogged by injuries and had little time to prepare.
Brito told the NewsDay Sport that Dynamos had less time to prepare for the league match which was due to be played tomorrow after the draw against Cranborne Bullets on Easter Monday, while his side had more time after playing their fourth game of the season on Good Friday.
The league match was cancelled at the behest of the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) to allow the two teams to fight for the Independence Day Trophy final at Pfura Stadium in Mount Darwin in Mashonaland Central province on Tuesday next week.
“About the cancellation of the game, we cannot run way from this subject because; no hard feelings, but this decision was only to protect Dynamos because they are coming from two draws. They had some players who were not having good moments at all; they have some injuries. Add to that they had to travel to Bulawayo for that game after playing on Monday, so the week of preparation wasn’t going to be the best for them. Everyone knows that the decision was not to protect football but was to protect Dynamos from this game,” Brito said.
The Highlanders gaffer added: “Right now we need to respect that decision and the next game is against them (Dynamos) in a cup match. But they are staying in Harare, they are fresh; we need to travel. Because of the cancellation of the league game three days before means that in our week of preparation there has to be a lot of changes. Our plan was to play on Saturday and now everything is different. Again our next game (in the league) is against Yadah, we don’t know whether Friday or Saturday. We don’t know if we will have to come back to Bulawayo (after the cup final on Tuesday) or we stay there. So in terms of preparations we just hope the football authorities have the same way for both teams because to come back and travel to Harare is not fair. If one team is protected, the other should be protected as well.”
The Bulawayo giants said they will play their best team in the Independence Trophy final and have been made aware of the condition of the pitch at Pfura Stadium.