DeMbare wary of CAPS

are worried that the Green Machine will come fighting like wounded lions when the two giants meet at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
CAPS United have since their last Premiership derby clash against Dynamos at the same venue on June 19, parted ways with coach Moses Chunga who is now at Gunners.

Chunga’s Gunners outplayed CAPS United in their back-to-back league assignments last week with the first match ending in a 0-0 draw while Gunners led 2-0 in the reverse tie at Rufaro when Makepekepe fans rained missiles onto the pitch, forcing its 68th minute abandonment.
In the same period that the CAPS boat was hitting turbulence, Dynamos beat Hwange to secure a place in the BancABC Sup8r semi-final and also climbed up the Premiership standings into third place.

CAPS have also not won or scored since they appointed Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe as Chunga’s replacement.
But Dynamos yesterday refused to be swayed by the problems in their rivals’ camp and DeMbare assistant coach Ralph Kawondera warned that CAPS United could actually come fighting like a wounded and cornered lion.

Since beating Masvingo United 4-1 on June 8, CAPS United have not been able to score a goal in 428 minutes of football.
This translates to the four league games and one cup tie.
CAPS United played a goal-less draw with Monomotapa and then lost 1-0 to Dynamos in a drab derby at the National Sports Stadium.

The Green Machine were booted out of the BancABC Sup8r by Highlanders, falling to a Gilbert Banda strike at Baghdad in Kwekwe.
That was Chunga’s last game in charge of CAPS United.
Kawondera said although Dynamos managed to grind out a 1-0 win in the reverse fixture via a Tawanda Muparati late strike, his side was bracing for an even tougher derby showdown.

Although the 67th derby fizzled into a drab affair, fans from both giants are expecting a huge improvement in Sunday’s showdown following the addition of new players by both camps during the mid-season transfer window.

As a security precaution, the PSL have shifted the potentially tension-filled clash to the more spacious National Sports Stadium although Dynamos will be the home team.
Kawondera however, warned Dynamos against “living in the past” and said the fact that they beat CAPS United in the reverse fixture and won the bragging rights would not count when they face their old enemy again.

“That we beat CAPS United in the last game will not count. CAPS United are injured after going through a lot recently and they have been placed in a corner.
“I am sure they are like a wounded lion and they will be dangerous,” said Kawondera.

Dynamos yesterday shifted their training base from Raylton Sports Club to Gwanzura while they could be having a feel of National Stadium today.
“Definitely we are not underestimating CAPS United in this game. CAPS are seeking a win and they will be dangerous as they have the potential to rise up in this game,” said Kawondera.

“Dynamos’ selection options have been boosted by news that steady defender Guthrie Zhokinyi and talented but injury-prone midfielder Wonder Sithole were registered with the PSL yesterday. Guthrie and Sithole are now registered and available for selection,” said Kawondera.

Dynamos secretary Nyika Chifamba said they are still trying to tie up a contract with strikers Cuthbert Malajila and Peter Ngwenya ahead of the mid-season transfer deadline.

“Now that we have managed to secure Guthrie Zhokinyi and Wonder Sithole, it’s up to the coaches to field them or not. But while we are playing at the National Sports Stadium, our fans should bear in mind that Dynamos remain the home team.
“We urge our supporters to desist from hooliganism although we know that the game of football can be an emotional affair. Maybe we wish we could have played at Rufaro which is our ceremonial home but the

National Sports Stadium provides a family environment. Besides, the National Sports Stadium is big enough to accommodate the fans and we will provide adequate security for the fans,” said Chifamba.
Chifamba said Dynamos have pegged the entry to the VIP section at US$20 while entry to Bays 15 and 18 is US$10.

A ticket for the rest of the ground remains at US$3.
Although Dynamos have set their targets on securing Malajila, the Warriors striker will not be available in time for Sunday’s match as negotiations between the player’s management and his Tunisian side Club

Africain could not be concluded on Tuesday night.
Dynamos can only discuss terms with Malajila once Club Africain, who have a three-year contract with the striker have clarified the player’s status.

Both teams had players sent off in the build-up to Sunday’s derby showdown with Dynamos midfielder Denver Mukamba seeing red on DeMbare’s trip to Chicken Inn in Bulawayo last Saturday.
It was however, worse for CAPS United on their short trip to Gunners at Rufaro the following day when they had veteran defender David Sengu and Edmore Chapfungamoyo expelled either side of the break.

CAPS United have however, quickly moved in to bring replacements in their defence with the successful signing of the former Chapungu and Monomotapa pair of Tapuwa Khumbuyani and Asani Nhongo.
Makepekepe have also brought in gritty midfielder Ashley Rambanapasi and the hardworking Tendai Samanja who could make a difference in their midfield against DeMbare’s Milton Makopa, Archieford Gutu, skipper Desmond Maringwa, Muparati and Sithole.