Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE capital’s glamour club Dynamos have embraced the challenge by businessman and philanthropist Wicknell Chivayo who has dangled a tantalising carrot after promising the former champions a bus should they win Sunday’s high — profile Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Harare derby showdown.
DeMbare, who have now not won in their last four league assignments ,are set to face high-riding old foes CAPS United at Rufaro in a renewal of a football rivalry that has stood the test of time.
Both Dynamos and CAPS United lost their last matches at the weekend after the Glamour Boys’ 20-match unbeaten league run stretching from last season was ended at Chicken Inn (2-1) while CAPS United were stunned by Bulawayo Chiefs (1-0) at home.
Ironically, the Gamecocks, then under Joey Antipas, had been the last team to beat Dynamos in July last year before the Harare giants kick-started a fairy-tale battle against relegation.
But the build up to the upcoming clash against Makepekepe took an interesting twist yesterday when Chivayo, told Zimpapers’ Capitalk Radio that he was pledging “new wheels’’ for Dynamos in response to a passionate plea by a DeMbare fan during the phone-in session.
The Dynamos old bus has been a subject of ridicule for the club, especially in the social media bitter between rivals fans.
Dynamos chairman Vincent Chawonza said his club would welcome incentives.
The gesture came as the DeMbare leadership was set for a meeting to discuss operations and preparations for the derby last night.
“We have heard about it and we hope to get it formalised,’’ Chawonza said.
“As Dynamos we are rebuilding our brand and we are happy that some stakeholders and prospective partners are showing interest in joining hands with us.
“At Dynamos the door is always open to anyone or any organisation that so wishes to partner the team in any way.
“That said, we welcome Sir Wicknell’s gesture and the challenge is now on us as a team to make sure we play our part and be able to claim the promise,” said Chawonza.
Dynamos currently use a bus that was donated by Nyaradzo over a decade ago, and the news that Chivayo has thrown the challenge at them excited the Glamour Boys family.
Earlier this year, Chivayo extended a similar gesture to Dynamos’ biggest rivals — Highlanders — when he gifted the Bulawayo giants with a brand-new 75-seater luxury bus, valued at approximately US$285 000. But for Dynamos, the condition is that they have to win against bitter rivals CAPS United in order to claim the promise. The challenge comes against the backdrop of DeMbare’s waning fortunes.
Genesis Mangimbe’s men have not won in their previous four outings, after drawing 1-1 with FC Platinum and then playing identical goalless draws against Scottland and ZPC Kariba at Rufaro. The 1-2 defeat against Chicken Inn at Barbourfields on Sunday was their first loss of the season.
In fact, they had not lost a league match since July 2025, when they suffered defeat at the hands of the same Gamecocks, who are now under their son, Tonderai Ndiraya.
Chawonza is hoping DeMbare can bounce back to winning ways. He added that the executive committee was already working on incentives for the derby amid revelations that an unnamed sponsor was planning on chipping in a US$120 000 package for the players should they beat Makepekepe on Sunday.
“This is a high-stakes game.
“This is one of the must-win games for Dynamos because of the rivalry. So, we always try by all means to have the boys motivated.
“We know that our opponents also go the extra mile to motivate their players,” said Chawonza.
