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edition of the Harare Derby at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
A week that started with chief striker Simba Sithole penning a five-year deal to play for Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa, just six months after joining Makepekepe, could end with a weekend of delirium for the
Green Machine should they win on Sunday.
Interestingly Sithole, who leads the Golden Boot race, was initially poised to join Dynamos but his handlers, frustrated by the way the Glamour Boys’ officials kept missing key appointments to thrash out the deal, decided to take him to CAPS United.
While Sithole has flourished at CAPS United, scoring 10 goals in 11 league appearances for the club, the strikers that Dynamos settled for have all struggled to make an impact.
Sithole returned home yesterday, after sealing his Sundowns’ deal, and will be available for CAPS United until the South African side goes into pre-season next month.
Chunga, who has battled hard to woo all the Makepekepe fans into his corner this season, gave Sithole his Premiership break at Shooting Stars last year, showing once again his good eye for fresh talent.
Yesterday the CAPS United coach said all his focus was on the Harare Derby.
“I am aware of the interest and the hype surrounding this game but we are not going to put ourselves under a lot of pressure,” said Chunga.
“This Harare Derby is just one of the assignments that we have to take care of this season and we are looking forward to it.
“It is a very crucial game that we don’t have to lose because the consequences might be unbearable. We are hoping that we will be able to collect maximum points and that is what we are working on.
“This game is very important to all of us at CAPS United as it is to Dynamos, so we need to approach it with the right frame of mind.”
Traditionally the Harare Derby, which carries with it the bragging rights for superiority, has claimed its place among the major highlights in the league calendar.
The last 10 clashes have put both sides on par going into the 67th edition. They have won two apiece and six have ended in draws in the last five years.
The first 2011 derby, however, comes in the backdrop of lukewarm performances by both sides in the league race this season.
CAPS United are currently fifth in the table with 21 points from 13 games while Dynamos are just one rung down with 19 points.
With 10 days to go, both clubs appeared to have found a rich vein of form with good performances after thrashing their opponents by identical 4-1 scorelines.
But Dynamos were beaten 2-1 by Premiership newboys Blue Ribbon while CAPS United were held to a 2-2 draw by 2008 champions Monomotapa.
“The motivation is always there. It’s not only about CAPS versus Dynamos or the incentives,” said Chunga.
“Every game is important to us and I always urge these players to play with passion for the team and for the development of their talents, more than for the bonuses.
“This is a new game. Our approach will be very crucial. We need to be positive.”
The CAPS United mentor had his full compliment of players in training at the National Sports Stadium B arena yesterday except midfielder David Rediyoni who sat out because of injury.
South Africa-based striker Kingstone Nkhatha trained with the team as well as leftback Asani Nhongo who returned home from Mozambique following the expiry of his contract with Liga Maculmana.
Nkhatha was released by his Super Diski club Free State Stars at the end of last season.
“We don’t have many worries at the moment. Everyone is available for selection with the exclusion of Rediyoni who has a swollen leg.
“We are attending to him and hopefully he will be fine by the time we play Dynamos if he responds well to treatment,” said Chunga.
Online Reporter