30 Games Unbeaten

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
CHAMPIONS Dynamos haven’t lost a Castle Lager Premiership tie in the capital in 30 matches, in a period stretching 15 months, and it’s that proud record that stands as an immovable mountain that CAPS United have to destroy in the Harare Derby on Sunday.The Glamour Boys are unbeaten at their Rufaro fortress since slumping to a shock 0-1 defeat at the hands of Harare City in June last year when Quinton Masika rose from the bench to score a late winner for Bigboy Mawiwi and his men.

Since then, no team has managed to find a way to beat Callisto Pasuwa and his troops in the city that they call their home and they have played 30 league matches in Harare, since that loss, and have come out unscathed.

Twenty-four of those games have been played at Rufaro, used by some of the capital’s teams as their home ground, and six have been played elsewhere with three at the National Sports Stadium, two at Morris Depot and one at Lafarge in Mabvuku.

Of those 30 matches in the capital, Dynamos have won 22 games and drawn eight, with five of those draws coming earlier this season. The Glamour Boys have won five of the six matches they have played in Harare, outside Rufaro, with three of those victories coming against CAPS United at the National Sports Stadium and the two others coming against Black Mambas at Morris Depot and Gunners at Lafarge.

Of the 24 matches they have played at Rufaro, since their last defeat at the same stadium in June last year, DeMbare have won 17 league matches and drawn seven, with five of those draws coming earlier this season, which gives CAPS United a window of hope.

The big question is — Can CAPS United win at Rufaro, something that hasn’t been possible for other teams in 24 league matches, spread over nearly one-and-half years, have so far failed to do in a league match?

Can the Green Machine move the mountain that has so far proved an irresistible force for all the others in the past 15 months?
DeMbare yesterday said they were quite aware that this was a key encounter, in their battle to win three straight league titles, but the champions revealed yesterday that they will not be tempted to dangle the carrot for their players ahead of the eagerly awaited Harare Derby.

DeMbare secretary-general, Webster Chikengezha, yesterday said the Glamour Boys were looking forward to continue with their dominance over Makepekepe, a side that has not been able to beat them since 2009, despite the long-standing rivalry between the two teams.

Vice-captain Tawanda Muparati did not train with the rest of the squad yesterday as he was earlier involved in a minor accident in Eastlea on his way to the training ground.

The midfielder, who celebrated his 30th birthday on Tuesday, was not injured although his car was damaged at the front after ramming into another vehicle from behind.

Team manager Richard Chihoro said Muparati was expected to be part of the team on Sunday.
“The good part is that he was not injured. So he had to spend the whole afternoon running around to replace the damaged bumper of the other vehicle, which he has since done.

“So we expect him to join the rest of the team tomorrow,” said Chihoro.
Chikengezha said the executive had deliberately avoided the idea of coming up with special incentives for the team so that they do not heap pressure on the players.

Dynamos are currently leading championship race, where they face tough competition in defence of their title from Harare City, Highlanders and CAPS United as only three points separate these teams in the top four.

DeMbare will be looking for a win so that they get some breathing space at the top while a draw or loss will not do them any good.
They will also be praying for upsets when Highlanders clash with new-boys How Mine in a low-key derby while second-placed City travel to Triangle.

But Chikengezha reckons they need to focus on their game and believes CAPS United are the ones under pressure to hit back at them and would not want to transfer that weight to their players by promising them increased bonuses before the game.

“The derby itself is great motivation. We have told these guys that CAPS United have not beaten us in the last three years and they are actually looking to break that streak.

“But in terms of bonuses we haven’t really said we are going to give you much if you beat CAPS United. We don’t want to give them pressure.

“Instead, they should play to enjoy the game and hopefully get a good result. Also there is a danger in that if the players get used to the trend where you always put on the table those incentives ahead of such matches, the next time you fail to do so it will be difficult for them to play to the best of their abilities.

“But if we are to reward them for doing well, then it’s going to be something that we will do, not on condition that we have promised them anything before the game,” said Chikengezha.

As was expected, Dynamos increased gate charges to US$5 for the rest of the ground, US$15 for the Upper Grand Stand and US$20 for the VIP section.

The VVIP tribune is strictly by invitation. The Derby is returning to Rufaro this year and Chikengezha said they are working on ensuring convenience at the gates and total security for all football fans. To avoid problems at the turnstiles, the Dynamos management will ensure that not less than 26 gates will be opened on the day.

“We are expecting a bumper crowd and we are urging people to come early to avoid frustration at the gates. The stadium gates will be opened as early as 11:00am and there will be activities to keep people entertained.

“We are also not going to allow vehicles inside the stadium gates so that there won’t be overcrowding. We will only allow service vehicles inside to avoid congestion, in case there is an emergency,” said Chikengezha.

DeMbare continued with their preparations yesterday and to demonstrate their seriousness, the team switched their training time-table from the usual morning session as they wanted the players to accustom to the higher afternoon temperatures.

Coach Callisto Pasuwa and his charges will be hoping to overcome the setback of losing Thomas Magorimbo and Devon Chafa through suspensions.

Fullback Augustine Mbara, who suffered a hamstring injury in the match against Motor Action, has also been ruled out as he has failed to recover on time.

However, Dynamos welcomed back defenders Partson Jaure and Oscar Machapa, who returned from national team duty in South Africa.
The duo is expected to play a key role in this match with Machapa facing his former paymasters for the first time since he crossed the Great Divide.