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Tadious Manyepo, Sports Reporter
CAPS UNITED hot-shot Junior Bunjira didn’t have an exactly ideal Harare Derby debut when Dynamos and Makepekepe settled for a 1-1 draw at Rufaro in May.
Flying high with his game, the 20-year-old expected to carry the Green Machine’s day and break a six-year winless streak in this fixture.
But the winger was unfortunate to have handled the ball when going down in a desperate defensive act and gave away a penalty that allowed Dynamos to break the ice.
CAPS United eventually got an equaliser through veteran Ralph Kawondera, but for Bunjira it still felt like a defeat.
He has since recovered from that disappointment and has been one of the standout players not only for CAPS United, but in the entire league this season.
And the silky flanker can turn that near traumatic experience into joy tomorrow if CAPS United beat the Glamour Boys in the second round of the 2024 series of the famous Harare Derby at Rufaro tomorrow.
It’s a game that carries a lot with it and not just the three points as Bunjira, son to one of the club’s former greats Alois, knows just how important it is for Makepekepe to end up at the winning end.
It carries even more significance for Makepekepe, who have failed to beat Dynamos since their 1-0 win on April 22, 2018.
A lot has changed between that time and now with all the players set to do duty for either team having moved elsewhere.
And Bunjira feels it is now time to change the script altogether starting tomorrow.
The speedster, who hobbled out with a knock in Makepekepe’s last game against Yadah Stars last week, is fit and ready to go for it.
“We have been preparing well as a team, immensely tuning-up for the derby. The team is ready and so is everyone. We need to break that defeat cycle as a team in this Harare Derby.
“I am very confident CAPS United will come to the party. It has been a while since we last beat Dynamos and we need to correct that,” said Bunjira.
Bunjira said he will still risk it as long as it helps his team, but he is keen to minimise the mistakes from the last game.
“All I can say is that I am prepared to fix the mistakes from the last game when I handled inside the box. I am prepared to do better than what I did in what was my debut derby.
“We are going to perform well and hope that I rectify what happened the last time out.
“I have all the backing from my teammates and supporters alike. Everyone wants to do well. This is what we need and this is what I need. So, we are going to succeed,” added Bunjira.
“I would also like to thank my father Alois who has always supported me.
“He is always cheering me on and that motivates me a lot.”
Captain Godknows Murwira said CAPS United fans deserve better than seeing an extension of their winless run against Dynamos.
“We have so much work to do to please our die-hard fans. They mean everything to us and we can’t afford to disappoint them,” said Murwira.
“They have stood with us even when things were down.
“As CAPS United, we will throw everything into it and see where we will be at the end of the game.”
The CAPS United dressing room was boosted by the news that their hitman William Manondo has been named the Player of the Month for September.
He is also in line for the 2024 Premiership Golden Boot award.
Manondo’s accolade comes on the back of his recent good showing steering clear of the chasing lot of Khama Billiat and Lynoth Chikuhwa who have scored one goal less.
And the CAPS United forward says he owes the award to his teammates.
“It’s about CAPS United not me of course,” he said.
“I am very grateful to the team and everyone involved.
“Individual awards come because of team effort.
“Whenever I win them, I know it’s the team not me. Football is a team sport and I believe if I win something, that’s because of them.
“I am really thankful and motivated at the same time,” Manondo said.
Online Reporter