tawandamusarurwa
Langton Nyakwenda
Sports Reporter
THE setting for this fresh rivalry between Dynamos and Black Rhinos was a wet Chinhoyi Stadium.
Heavy rains pounded the Mashonaland West capital last Sunday but they did not cool down the flaring tempers on the pitch.
It did not matter that this was a mere friendly or practice match; both teams really wanted to win.
When a Black Rhinos player was red-carded early in the match, ordinarily, it would have meant the soldiers would bring on another player, since this was just a practice match.
But Dynamos coach Herbert “Jompano” Maruwa fiercely contested that idea.
“A red card is a red card — no replacement. This is not just a practice match; it’s actually a test of what is to come when the league starts,” the gaffer argued, as his technical team walked towards the dressing room at half-time.
It was 1-1 at the break but the match ended 2-1 in favour of Dynamos, courtesy of a late strike by newboy Elvis Moyo.
The aggression by both sets of players was matched by the energy on the touchline, as both coaches — Maruwa and Stanford “Stix’’ Mtizwa — were animated.
Hundreds of fans who braved the weather conditions cheered on as the two old rivals slugged it out on the wet pitch.
Most of Dynamos’ executive members, including chairperson Moses Maunganidze and his new deputy Vincent Chawonza, drove to Chinhoyi to watch the encounter.
Rhinos secretary Edward Mutukwa and his fellow executive members were also present to rally the soldiers.
They all enjoyed the midfield battle between DeMbare’s Tanaka “Kante” Shandirwa and Chauya Chipembere’s Kudzanai Nyakudanga.
“Black Rhinos should always lose against DeMbare. I hate this team from long back.
“Do not forget that this is the team that raided our players back in the 1980s,” shouted one elderly fan from the stands.
There was once a fierce rivalry between Rhinos and Dynamos in the 1980s, when the two teams were almost at par in terms of competitiveness and quality of players.
When Rhinos were first promoted into the then Super League at the end of 1983, they raided Dynamos and snatched at least six players, as well as coach Shepherd Murape.
Legendary goalkeeper Japhet “Short Cat” M’parutsa, who had won the 1982 Soccer Star of the Year award, dumped Dynamos for the army side in a massive exodus that also saw Hamid “Muzukuru” Dhana, Simon “AK 47” Mugabe, David Mukahanana, Eddie Matsika and Lovemore Chikunha leaving the Harare giants.
They were joined at Rhinos by the CAPS United trio of Stanford “Stix” Mtizwa, Stanley “Sinyo” Ndunduma and William Chikauro.
Rhinos went on to win the league title in 1984 and have since retained the distinction of being the only team to win the top-flight championship in their maiden season.
They ended DeMbare’s dominance, as the Glamour Boys had won the league title in 1980, 1981 and 1982.
Sadly, the rivalry died down in the 1990s, as Black Rhinos lost most of their star players and failed to replenish their squad.
But those old days could be back this season if what happened in Chinhoyi last weekend is anything to go by.
The arrival at Dynamos of former Rhinos gaffer Maruwa has also fuelled the tension between the two teams.
The 2022 Soccer Star of the Year finalist, Eli Ilunga, similarly left Rhinos for Dynamos at the beginning of the year.
Underrated Dynamos’ new central midfielder Donald Mudadi is also an ex-Rhinos player.
Football commentator Charles “CNN” Mabika is optimistic the fierce rivalry between DeMbare and Chauya Chipembere can be revived.
“I was happy when I heard that last Sunday’s friendly match between Black Rhinos and Dynamos was intense and fierce. “I didn’t watch it but those who were there say it was a good battle.
“So, perhaps that old rivalry between the two could be back and we should be set for a bumper fixture between Black Rhinos and Dynamos when the 2023 season kicks off,” Mabika told The Sunday Mail Sport.
“But I can’t say for now that the rivalry will be the same rivalry that I witnessed when these two teams clashed in the mid-1980s.”
Mabika went down memory lane.
“The Dynamos and Black Rhinos rivalry was just as intense as the one between Dynamos and CAPS United or Dynamos versus Highlanders.
“You couldn’t separate the three fixtures.
“What was important was the star-studded cast at both camps.
“Dynamos had the likes of keeper Lucky Dube (after Mparutsa had left for Rhinos), Angirayi Chapo, Garnet Muchongwe, David Mandigora, Kenneth ‘Computer’ Jere, Gift ‘Ghetto’ Mpariwa, Moses Chunga and Edward Katsvere.
“Black Rhinos had Mparutsa, Stanley Ndunduma, Simon Mugabe, Gift ‘Shaft’ Makoni, Hamid Dhana, Stanford ‘Stix’ Mtizwa, Maronga ‘The Bomber’ Nyanglea and Jerry ‘Dzungu’ Chidawa.
“You wouldn’t want to miss a game between Dynamos and Black Rhinos. Rufaro Stadium would be packed by 11am.
“It was just so intense you could feel the atmosphere. People would start talking about the game a week before,” he added.
The decline of Rhinos cooled rivalries between the two sides.
The army side even went for over 15 years (between the late 80s and 2001) without beating Dynamos.
“Sadly, the star makeup of both teams deteriorated to what it is now,” says Mabika.
“But I am glad the good old days could be back, based on what I heard from those who watched the match between Rhinos and Dynamos in Chinhoyi last weekend.”
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