‘DeMbare must be punished’

Highlanders and Dynamos drew 1-1 in front of a packed Barbourfields Stadium, in the process DeMbare preserving their record of not losing to their black and white clad opponents since 2006.

That draw, it seems, infuriated not only the Tshilamoya supporters but their former hero too, Kutsanzira who however, gets a perfect opportunity to exact a measure of revenge for his former paymasters.

“We just have to win this game and I know we will. Dynamos will be heavily punished for what they did to my former team mates last week. Besides that though we also need to start winning as a team after a barren spell,” said Kutsanzira.

Makepekepe, under Irishman Sean Connor, last tasted a win when they beat struggling Hardbody 1-0 and since then they have had two 1-1 draws against Buffaloes and Black Mambas while they lost to Highlanders and Hwange.

It’s the 69th edition of the Harare derby and it will surely bring the house down with Rufaro Stadium set to explode and by 3pm this afternoon, the capital will come to a virtual standstill.

Coach Connor is also well aware of the magnitude of this game.

“We asked the players to look up to their reputation and I have challenged them to show everyone what they exhibit at training. Right now we are really looking forward to this game, I think the players are well motivated and know what is expected of them,” Connor told our Harare bureau yesterday.

Big Makepekepe goalkeeper, Edmore “ZiKeeper” Sibanda and former Dynamos striker Evans Gwekwerere are doubtful for the game.

Steady Dynamos midfielder Milton Makopa says their big aim was not to disappoint their legion of supporters and that means coming out of Rufaro Stadium with nothing other than maximum points.

Makopa is playing a game of his life this season and can probably be compared to Highlanders’ Mthulisi Maphosa as the two best defensive midfielders in the country at the moment.

The end result today is likely to have some dressing room casualties for the losing technical bench led by coaches Connor and DeMbare gaffer Callisto Pasuwa. Both sets of fans do not take kindly to losing to either side.