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Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
HARARE giants CAPS United are convinced this is their year to stop the bullying they have suffered at the hands of bitter rivals Dynamos and are determined to turn the tables in the NetOne OneWallet Cup quarter-finals at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
The football rivals were drawn in the eight-team tournament, just a few days after a 1-1 stalemate in an exciting Harare Derby showdown.
The teams are set to clash again for the third time in a row when the league schedule resumes next week for the return leg fixtures.
Dynamos have the bragging rights after dominating competitive meetings in the last five years.
CAPS United team manager Luis Maio yesterday said the Green Machine were inspired to go through to the next round as they have drawn confidence from the 1-0 win over DeMbare earlier this year in the Zimbabwe National Army Charities match.
Maio said Makepekepe were ready for the showdown and would not have wished for any other opponent.
“It’s okay to play them again. Everyone in the team is looking forward to this match and the general feeling is that we don’t want to lose to Dynamos this season.
“Of course, it’s not going to be an easy game and the boys are working very hard.
“I am sure there isn’t any kind of pressure despite playing such high intensity games three weeks in succession.
“We drew with them the last time but this time there has to be a winner. It’s going to be us or them. There are no special incentives needed since this is a cup tournament with a good purse for the most successful team.
“So, we aim to go to the next round and then look forward to progress to the final, taking one game at a time. Winning against Dynamos is a big incentive on its own, though,” said Maio.
Makepekepe have played second fiddle to their rivals in the last five years, but they have been undergoing a renaissance under former DeMbare son, Taurai Mangwiro.
Maio said he was impressed by the team’s fighting spirit and urged the club’s supporters to continue rallying behind the team. Malawian forward Gerald Phiri salvaged a point for them last Sunday when he scored a beauty of a free-kick to cancel out Murape Murape’s first half strike.
Dynamos team manager Richard Chihoro yesterday said the Glamour Boys were aiming at raising their game another notch.
Chihoro said they were not intimidated by CAPS United’s resurgence and was upbeat about his team’s chances. He said supporters should expect another tough contest on Sunday.
“This is a good month for the supporters from both teams. The Derby always gives the excitement that football fans from both teams want.
“We are mentally prepared and the boys are all eager to win against CAPS United. So we are also preparing hard for a positive result, knowing that Cup games can be tricky,” said Chihoro.
DeMbare, however, have not heard good news from their medical department as forward Anesu Gondo is again set to miss the Derby with a knee injury.
Long term casualties Masimba Mambare, Tafadzwa Rusike and Sydney Linyama are also still on the sidelines.
Bulawayo giants Highlanders are involved in a tricky assignment with How Mine at Ascot tomorrow.
But the tournament gets underway today with a double-header at Mandava where Harare City and Triangle clash at lunchtime before the home side FC Platinum take on Joey Antipas’ Chicken Inn. The tournament is being sponsored to the tune of US$500 000 and US$270 000 will go towards prize money.
The winners of the OneWallet Cup will walk away with US$80 000, with the runners-up set to pocket US$50 000. The losing semi-finalists will each get US$30 000 while the losing quarter finalists will receive US$20 000. For the semi-finals, another draw will be conducted while dates and venues will be confirmed by the Premier Soccer League.
Fixtures
Today: Harare City v Triangle (Mandava, 1pm), FC Platinum v Chicken Inn (Mandava, 3pm).
Tomorrow: Highlanders v How Mine (Ascot, 1pm)
Sunday: Dynamos v CAPS (National Sports Stadium).
Online Reporter