Online Reporter
Robson Sharuko and Tadious ManyepoZimpapers Sports Hub
THE domestic football landscape has been shifting dramatically in the last few years as millions of dollars are poured into the sport.
And, the pace of the changes was illustrated yesterday when businessman Wicknell Chivayo gave Dynamos the biggest challenge in their 63-year history.
All that the Glamour Boys have to do is beat their biggest city rivals, CAPS United, in the Harare Derby at Rufaro on Sunday and they will get a brand-new luxury coach as a dream reward.
Chivayo gave Zimpapers’ Capitalk FM an exclusive interview yesterday in which he talked about a number of things, including his ex-wife Sonja Madzikanda, the legal challenges they are embroiled in, his kids and his wealth.
Then, a listener, who is clearly a Dynamos fan, called and asked the businessman to consider doing something for his beloved Glamour Boys.
Chivayo responded with a challenge:
“Okay, if Dynamos manage to beat CAPS United on Sunday, I will buy them a new bus. That’s the deal, right?”
Now, this changes everything.
With the bus expected to cost more than US$200, 000, it means that this is the biggest cash incentive, which DeMbare have played for in just one match, on the domestic football scene in their history.
It’s a big moment for the Glamour Boys as they have been watching from a distance while the new boys, who have richer pockets, have been spoiling themselves with state-of-the-art team coaches.
For years, DeMbare were mocked by their rivals for using what they termed to be a “chicken bus.”
The last bus, which Chivayo acquired, for a local football club, was the one he bought for the Division Two team, which is owned by his younger brother Ferg.
The club is called Avelion FC.
Just like the Dynamos challenge, the announcement that the businessman had acquired a team bus for Ferg’s Avelion FC was also dramatic.
It was made while Chivayo was flying and he called a car dealer to confirm the purchase of the 67-seater bus.
He was told that it would cost US$197,000 and he agreed to the price and asked the dealer to send him an invoice.
The bus has since been delivered.
Chivayo also gifted Highlanders with a brand new luxury team bus earlier this year.
“I have purchased and made arrangements for the immediate delivery of a brand new 75-seater Higer executive bus, fitted with luxurious amenities including a toilet, full leather interior, TV, Wi-Fi, reclining seats and executive onboard facilities,” the businessman said.
That bus has also been delivered.
Meanwhile, CAPS United president Farai Jere has decided to ignore “sideshows” ahead of the Harare Derby showdown.
The Harare businessman has, instead, stayed calm and yesterday met his team at their training venue to confirm he will more than double their US$500 winning bonuses if they beat the Glamour Boys.
The first instalment of the duel has generated a lot of interest given the two Harare giants are performing well in the league right now.
The Green Machine are leading the Premiership standings with 22 points to their name while Dynamos, on 17 points are fifth on the table after 10 games.
“This is one of our biggest games on our PSL calendars,” Jere said.
“CAPS United and Dynamos is a colossal fixture. The way we are looking at it is that we are playing against a team which is doing very well at the moment.
“I think in a long time this is one of the times we are playing with the two teams doing very well on the log.
“If Dynamos win this game, they are going to close the gap to within two points and if we win, we are opening the gap between us and them further.
“There are a lot of things which you should look at when we are talking about this.
“We have seen a lot of Dynamos versus CAPS United matches played in our lifetime and this one looks like it’s going to be one of the most exciting and interesting derbies of all time.
“We have played our part; the boys are motivated; they know the bonuses which they’re expecting in this match. Everything has actually been internally discussed with the players.”
He added:
“There’s also something that I want our fans to know when they come. We need them to give the support to our boys knowing that so far Dynamos have gone for 10 months without a defeat at Rufaro Stadium.
“If you look at that and where they are on the log, it shows you that it’s not going to be an easy game.
“Ten months is a long time and if they go for the next two months without any defeat that means it will now be a year.
“Dynamos are a big club, they’re quite huge and they need to be respected. We just need to treat them with a lot of respect and we are approaching this game with that spirit.
“I think it will be an exciting game. CAPS United will be out to win it while Dynamos will get into it with the same spirit.”
