adminleague champions, with their last win coming in April 2009, courtsey of a brace from Nyasha Mushekwi.
Since that 2-0 victory, the best that CAPS United have done against Dynamos were draws in the reverse fixtures in 2009 and 2010 while DeMbare have managed to collect maximum points in all the other meetings.
On Sunday, the two giants square up in a match that normally holds the capital spellbound and Mangwiro, a former Dynamos midfielder believes CAPS United should not be under a lot of pressure.
“One can never take that (underdogs’ tags) away from us because for the past four years we have not been winning against Dynamos.
“The guys have been psyched up for this game by wearing the underdog’s tags. I have been telling them that the underdogs’ tag takes off the pressure from them. As we go into the match, we know we have not been getting the good results of late against Dynamos,” said Mangwiro.
Although they are marching into the match without the bragging rights, Mangwiro yesterday challenged his charges to forget about past results and turn on a new leaf.
“We are saying we do not live in the past. There is always going to be a first time for everything. Hopefully we will be able to turn things around this time and get a result in our favour on Sunday,” Mangwiro said. CAPS United intensified their training session at Arcadia Sports Club yesterday while their rivals Dynamos were sweating it out at the Zimphos Grounds. Makepekepe’s preparations were boosted by the presence of Rahman Kutsanzira and Pride Tafirenyika. The midfield duo missed the last matches because of injuries while big centre-back Arnold Chivheya was suspended for the game against Triangle as he sat on three yellow cards. “The training session went very well and things are beginning to shape up now.
“We still have to more two training sessions to go before the match.
“We welcomed Pride Tafirenyika and Rahman Kutsanzira who were both nursing injuries but we will also have to make a decision on Hardlife Zvirekwi as he is going through light training at the moment.
“On another positive note we also have the return of Arnold Chivheya who missed the last match because of suspension.
“The rest of the players are in good shape and are looking forward to the derby,” said Mangwiro.
Going into this match, both Dynamos and CAPS United are tied on 15 points after posting wins at the weekend.
“We know that it will not be easy but we have to be at our best since we are coming up against a team that has won the league title for the past two editions and they are currently on a fine run, having won their last three matches on the run.
“We have to be at our best and we will try to give it our best shot,” said Mangwiro.
In-form striker Washington Pakamisa has become a hero at Dynamos after managing to score in the last four league games and on Sunday it’s an open secret that his former team-mates will be putting him under tight scrutiny. Pakamisa looks set to rekindle his on-filed battles against former Dynamos skipper George Magariro who now marshals the CAPS United defence. In the previous matches, the Harare derby has failed to provide the classic entertainment for the fans as both teams have been too cautious in their approach to the game, although Dynamos have been managing to capitalise on the momentary lapses in their opponents’ defence.
“Derbies do not go according to form. They are like that throughout the world even if we look at the Soweto derby (Orlando Pirates and Kaizer chiefs), the one in Egypt (Zamalek and Al Ahly) or anywhere in the world,” said Mangwiro.
“So as we go in there, we go with our heads very high and would not look at the previous performance but that a win on Sunday will change the complexion of the league itself for the rest of the season. We know what is at stake for us and we expect a fiercest contest. “Some people have argued that the derby has lost its glitter from the battles witnessed in the 1980s and 1990s. We were rivals for 90 minutes and during our era we used to get along very well and even up to now but for those 90 minutes would drift apart. “After the matches we would embrace but for those 90 minutes it was a tight contest because we all wanted to do well in the derby,” saidMangwiro.
Online Reporter