A sweet derby in the Lowveld

Sports Reporter

ORDINARILY, a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter pitting Triangle and newboys Green Fuel could easily pass unnoticed.

But when the two sides meet for the first time since Green Fuel were promoted, there will be huge interest in the Lowveld and surrounding areas.

This is because Green Fuel have adopted Gibbo Stadium as their home since promotion into the Premiership.

Since their own base in Chisumbanje still under construction, they would have to be content with playing in Chiredzi.

Green Fuel coach Rodwell Dhlakama is trying to get his charges to play with the same intensity they have sometimes shown.

Dhlakama — arguably the most successful national youth teams’ coach, having won accolades with the Under-17, Under-20 and Coca-Cola national schools’ teams — is leading a dressing room whose confidence levels were boosted by their stunning 1-0 win over Dynamos last weekend.

The former Ngezi Platinum Stars, Monomotapa and Kiglon coach has once again placed faith in young players as his team heads into battle this afternoon.

One such exciting young talent is 18-year-old striker Denzel Washington Mapuwa.

Nicknamed the “Equaliser” — after his namesake Denzel Washington’s 2014 thriller by the same title — the player has been maturing since making his Premiership debut with WhaWha last season.

“The nickname is partly because my name is Denzel Washington, like the Hollywood actor, and, secondly, because I am dangerous on the field of play,’’ Mapuwa says.

“I am really enjoying my football at the moment and I have been fortunate to be working under a legendary coach like Dhlakama.

He has also won the admiration of his coach, who has fused a number of young players since taking over from Bhekithemba Ndlovu.

Dhlakama expects a close encounter today.

“Playing a derby is very difficult because form will count for nothing, as such games bring in anxiety, tension, suspense and happiness.

“We have a lot in common with Triangle —the sharing of a stadium, the fact that we are in the same sugar belt region and we also share supporters.

“We have also won a lot of admiration from neutrals who want to be associated with our brand of football.”

Triangle, who seat eleventh on the log, are a rung above Green Fuel and have a two-point cushion.

“We are also fighting relegation, with only two points separating us, so a win for us will see us leapfrogging them, while defeat will see us pitched in the relegation zone; so, at this point, we will fancy our chances of winning this game, especially coming from a massive win against Dynamos,’’ Dhlakama said.

Triangle have had to rebuild their side after most of the players left at the end of last season.

Veteran midfielder Russell Madamombe, who interestingly played under Dhlakama at Monomotapa, has been one of Triangle’s most loyal sons.

“We are very prepared for this match . . . We have dropped so many points in the previous games. We have had so many draws and we hope to collect maximum points and hopefully continue taking our chances,’’ Madamombe said.

“We have so much belief in our coaches and we are confident that we will continue pushing and come up with good results in front of our supporters.

“The match-up with Green Fuel is motivation in itself and with the self-belief that we have, I hope we can win and consolidate our position above them.

“They have also been using Gibbo, we are in the same region and we mingle most of the time, so it is going to be a tough game but an interesting one for the fans.”

Triangle coach Thulani Sibanda is expected to unleash 20 year-old Takunda Maregera, who was promoted from the club’s junior ranks.

Sibanda is concerned that Green Fuel’s win over Dynamos may have been the turning point of their season.

“The fact that they won against Dynamos last Sunday will make it a difficult game, because their confidence is a little bit high, but we will try our best and see what comes out,” said Sibanda.

“It can go either way but we are going to miss the services of Ariel Makopa, who has since returned to Ngezi Platinum.

“He was a cog in the heart of our defence but we will continue to look for a few additions this transfer window.

“We already have a local youngster, midfielder Takunda Maregera, and hopefully by the weekend, his licence will be available.”