Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub
VETERAN goalkeeper Washington Arubi is likely to miss the chance to face his former club Dynamos in Saturday’s Harare Derby at Rufaro as CAPS United battle a growing injury list.
Arubi sustained a knee injury less than five minutes into the Green Machine’s league encounter against Bulawayo Chiefs at Luveve on August 22 and had to be stretchered off.
The 41-year-old has since been undergoing rehabilitation and was unavailable when Makepekepe beat Manica Diamonds 2-0 in the Round of 16 of the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup at Rufaro at the weekend.
CAPS United coach Takesure Chiragwi admitted the experienced goalkeeper is unlikely to recover in time for the derby.
“Yeah, I think for now, the doctor said maybe it will take two to three weeks for him to come back and join others. We are just hoping and praying that he can quickly come back,” said Chiragwi.
Arubi facing Dynamos would have added another subplot to Saturday’s derby.
He enjoyed a successful spell at Dynamos and was crowned Soccer Star of the Year in 2011 before moving to South Africa the following year.
After spending 14 years across the Limpopo, Arubi chose CAPS United when he returned home rather than rejoining his former club.
But Arubi is not the only injury concern for Makepekepe.
In-form midfielder Tinotenda Meke is nursing a hamstring strain, while Brian Kadamanja, Chris Mugalu and Kudzai Chigwida are also receiving treatment.
Defender Chotoshi Chinga has, however, resumed training.
Chiragwi is hopeful some of the injured players will recover in time for Saturday.
“They are recovering very well. I hope this week most of them will be back fully recovered to make sure that they can also compete for the derby,” he said.
Both Harare giants are out of the championship race, with a top-four finish now among their remaining league targets.
Dynamos are fourth on the standings, with CAPS United sixth, and only three points separate the rivals.
Neither side may be fighting for the title, but the derby has retained its pulling power.
Their first meeting of the season at Rufaro attracted about 25 000 paying spectators, one of the biggest crowds seen at a domestic league match in recent years.
CAPS United also go into Saturday’s showdown enjoying an improvement in form.
After a difficult spell, Makepekepe have steadied in the league and secured quarter-final places in both the Chibuku Super Cup and Munhumutapa Challenge Cup.
Even with several players missing, they dispatched Manica Diamonds 2-0 to advance in the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup at the weekend.
Chiragwi believes their recent run has restored confidence ahead of the derby.
“For the past five games, we have managed to make sure that the momentum and consistency is there in terms of scoring and compactness.
“Going into the derby with this momentum of winning gives confidence to the players,” he said.
The CAPS United coach has also been encouraged by the players who have stepped in for their injured teammates.
“If you see players coming in and fitting very well, while they have not been playing consistently, it shows that we have got enough players to give us cover.
“Automatically, we have got hope that we are going to win the games,” said Chiragwi.
Fixtures
Wednesday: Scottland v FC Platinum — Rufaro
Friday: Herentals v Bulawayo Chiefs — Rufaro
Saturday: Agama v Manica Diamonds — Wadzanai; Chicken Inn v MWOS — Luveve; ZPC Kariba v Simba Bhora — Nyamhunga; Triangle United v Highlanders — Gibbo; Ngezi Platinum Stars v FC Hunters — Baobab; CAPS United v Dynamos — Rufaro; Hardrock v TelOne — Chahwanda
