Ozias Zibande - HighlandersSimba Mushati

Highlanders vs Dynamos match postponed due to Zimbabwe presidential election

Premier Soccer League matches have been suspended this weekend as Zimbabweans prepare for Monday’s presidential election.

Zimbabwean football fans will have to wait a week longer for the return of the country’s biggest football match, as Highlanders were set to host rivals Dynamos.

Highlanders won 1-0 away in Harare in the reverse fixture between the two giants in April.

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Interestingly, the arch-rivals have their roots traced to political movements and have often been used as mileage vehicles by politicians.

With a polarised situation characterising Zimbabwe’s political landscape, the PSL has been trying to separate football from Monday’s presidential election for the past few weeks.

Fans wearing political party regalia have been banned from stadiums, while the making of political gestures from the stands have neither been tolerated by law enforcement agents.

“This serves to advise all football fans that political party regalia is not allowed at Castle Lager PSL matches,” said the PSL in a statement.

“We urge all clubs, security officers and the Zimbabwe Republic Police to ensure that no fans wearing any form of political party regalia or clothing with political messages are granted access into the stadia. We advise that there will be no PSL matches on the weekend of 28-29 July 2018. The Castle Lager PSL programme will resume on 4-5 August 2018.”

The giants might be both out of contention for the 2018 PSL title but their meetings are traditionally explosive.

With 14 games remaining before the season ends, Highlanders are in fourth position, and they trail leaders FC Platinum with 11 points.

Dynamos on the other hand are flirting with relegation, sitting in 13th position with just three points above the drop zone.

The race for the league crown is now between miners FC Platinum and Ngezi Platinum who are separated by just two points.

FC Platinum's bid to maintain their lead is not under much threat in their next game as they travel to relegation-threatened Bulawayo City when league action resumes.

Their closest rivals Ngezi are also not too worried as they welcome another team fighting for their life in Nichrut.

Third-placed Chicken Inn, who are nine points behind FC Platinum could ghost in as surprise title contenders if they continue their fine run of form when they visit Shabanie Mine.

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