Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ACROSS the length and breadth of the African continent, there are some football rivalries that have defied the passage of time.
From Cape to Cairo, from Accra to Dar-es-Salaam, these contests have kept the spirit of the game alive for generations.
The Cairo Derby, featuring Egyptian giants Al Ahly and Zamalek is widely considered the biggest derby on the continent, always steeped in unparalleled passion and unfathomable tension.
Likewise, there is no love lost when Raja Casablanca and Wydad clash in the Casablanca Derby in Morocco.
The city of Casablanca experiences a slowdown on derby day as many shops and other businesses close a few hours before the game.
The Tunis Derby featuring Esperance and Club Africain is always explosive and characterised by heavy security deployments as the city is literally divided between the strongholds of Bab Jedid (Club Africain) and Bab Souika (Espérance).
In West Africa, Accra always experiences a vibrant, high-energy atmosphere when Ghanian giants Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko date.
Omdurman, the old national capital of Sudan always comes alive whenever the country’s two most successful clubs Al-Hilal and Al-Merrick clash, with streets often decorated in the red of Al Merrikh or the blue of Al Hilal.
The same colourful scenes are witnessed in Tanzania in the backdrop of Dar-es-Salaam Derby featuring Young Africans and Simba SC.
Closer home in neighbouring South Africa, the Soweto Derby, is undeniably the heartbeat of football in the region, with attendance figures this year clocking a record-breaking 101 000 for the February clash between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
Our own Harare Derby might not have reached such highs, but Zimbabwean giants Dynamos and CAPS United have entertained fans with enduring battles that have defined local football and captured the imagination of a nation.
For many years, this clash has provided a football spectacle capable of bringing the capital to a standstill.
No other Zimbabwean derby has come closer, despite DeMbare and CAPS United’s supremacy being constantly challenged in the local league by the emergence of opulent and well-oiled new kids on the block.
The upcoming edition of the Harare Derby set for Rufaro tomorrow carries added significance as both giants seek resurgence in this evolving domestic game.
CAPS United plunge into the derby high in confidence built on a strong start to the campaign, despite the shock home defeat to lowly Bulawayo Chiefs in their last game.
Green Machine coach Takesure Chiragwi believes that setback may prove valuable as Makepekepe aim to turn it into fuel to bounce back stronger tomorrow.
“That defeat was necessary, from the way I see it. We needed that kind of awakening given that we are going to play against one of our biggest rivals in the league Dynamos,” Chiragwi told Zimpapers Sports Hub this week.
“Now we go in there with the right kind of mentality knowing that even if we look stronger on paper, we can still be stopped by anyone in this competitive league.”
Man-for-man, the Green Machine look superior in every department compared to Dynamos, following a rebuilding they conducted at the beginning of the season.
They have several potential match winners. With players such as Ishmael Wadi, Kundai Benyu, Richard Hachiro, Bret Amidu, Lloyd Njaliwa, Obriel Chirinda, Chawanangwa Kaonga, Talent Chamboko, Alleny Mukombedzi and Tanaka Shandirwa at his disposal, Chiragwi has depth.
Most of the players will be featuring in the derby for the first time. But for Chiragwi, the stage represents an opportunity for players to rise to the occasion and define their careers.
Chiragwi understands the unique intensity the fixture demands, having experienced the rivalries from a young age as a player two decades back.
“If I look back during my playing days, that day or that week, I wouldn’t want the motivation from anyone, even from the coach. It was only the motivation for myself to say, ‘a star is going to be born on Sunday,’” he said.
With CAPS United top of the log standings and boosted by a US$1 000 winning bonus promised by club president Farai Jere, the stakes could not be higher.
Dynamos have motivation of their own after businessman and philanthropist Wicknell Chivayo pledged to buy the team a new bus should they triumph against their old rivals.
They need to dig deeper, though, having gone without a win in their last four league outings. DeMbare played three successive draws before their 1-2 defeat to Chicken Inn last week, which ended a 20-match unbeaten run in the league, spanning 10 months.
However, DeMbare coach Genesis Mangombe believes his side is ready to rise to the occasion despite the unsettling result in Bulawayo.
Mangombe insisted the derby presents a perfect opportunity for redemption.
“We just want to respond from that loss from Bulawayo. So, everyone is geared up and you know everyone wants to play versus CAPS United. It’s a very big derby,” said Mangombe.
DeMbare have relied heavily on the experience of players such as Shadreck Nyahwa, Collin Mujuru, Tellmore Pio, Leroy Mavunga, Abel Gwatidzo, Christopher Netty and goalkeeper Tatenda Makoni. Their chief marksman Jairos Kasondo has experienced a dip in form.
But in a fixture where new heroes are made, the showdown offers another opportunity for the Harare Derby to live up to its billing.
Mangombe emphasised that mental strength and discipline will be decisive factors, particularly given Dynamos’ recent defensive lapses.
“Already there’s motivation when playing these Derbies but the team with a better character at the end of the day is the one which is going to win.
“So, in terms of concentration we need to be high up there and we also have to make sure that we don’t make unnecessary mistakes, and try to avoid those silly goals we’ve been conceding of late,” he said.
Mangombe has also urged his players to remain grounded amid the hype created by the bus pledge made by Chivayo.
“At the moment, we’re still hearing it from social media and I think I have to comment on how the boys are going to perform versus CAPS United. We just have try and do our best so that we win this game,” said Mangombe.
