DYNAMOS have urged Zifa to appoint an impartial referee for their epic and potentially decisive battle against Highlanders at Barbourfields on Sunday.
It was a curious request considering that the defending champions benefited from a Harare referee Norman Matemera in the reverse fixture which ended 1-1 in Harare after he added seven minutes of optional time.
Dynamos scored with the last kick of the match through Partson Jaure, who Matemera had earlier failed to send off after a kung-fu lunge at Milton Ncube.
The Harare side’s chairman Kenny Mubaiwa said top referee Hardly Ndazi from Victoria Falls, should not be allowed to handle their match claiming bias.
However, Zifa acting chairperson of the referees committee Ndumiso Gumede said they would not be swayed by any club in the appointment of referees for the tie.
“The referees committee is going to use the very best referees for the epic battle,” said Gumede.
“If we respond to such indirect requests then we will see Chicken Inn say they do not want a certain referee. Highlanders will also say they do not want Norman Matemera.”
Rival sides claim referees have traditionally favoured Dynamos and, in recent years, the likes of Tichaona Chapfika, Ruzive Ruzive and Matemera have faced allegations of sympathising with the Harare giants.
Zifa also did not help matters in 2011 when they brought in foreign match officials for the Mbada Diamonds Cup match between Dynamos and FC Platinum after the Harare side had complained.
But the national association has been quiet when other teams complain about poor match
officiating.
Meanwhile, Highlanders are sweating over the fitness of three key players Mthulisi Maphosa, skipper Innocent Mapuranga and striker Gabriel Nyoni ahead of the key tie.
“They are carrying minor knocks but they are training,” Highlanders coach Kevin Kaindu.
Highlanders have not beaten Dynamos since 2006 in the league when they won the championship and would be looking for their first win under Kaindu to stretch their lead to 50 points.
Kaindu has also not lost to Dynamos since he took over last season managing three 1 1 draws in league matches home and away.
 

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