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credentials for a late surge in the race for the Castle Lager Premiership title.
For CAPS United, the mission is also simple – win, give the fans something to cheer their spirits after a poor run, repair some of the battered image and move back into top company.
For the match officials, the mission is simple – be fair to both teams, try as much as possible to be guided by Fifa’s spirit of Fair Play and let the better team, and not the one favoured by the referee, be the winner.
For the Castle Lager Premiership, the expectations are simple – let the two teams turn on the show that will illuminate the stadium and be a credit to the flagship encounter in the league.
Yes, just in case you didn’t know, the 68th edition of the Harare Derby is on at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow.
Dynamos are bracing themselves for a probable backlash from CAPS United when the two giants meet in the flagship fixture of the Castle Lager Premiership at the giant stadium.
DeMbare go into the match with their morale boosted by the win in the reverse fixture 1-0 last month but fans will be hoping for better value for their money after the first leg ended in a dull show.
This will be the only match in the capital as defending champions Motor Action travel to Mucheke for a date against Masvingo United.
But the first leg, which drew a good crowd, was almost a non-event despite the pre-match hype, save for the late strike by Tawanda Muparati, which separated the two teams after the encounter degenerated into a drab affair.
Dynamos’ assistant coach Ralph Kawondera yesterday chose to be cautious and said they were expecting a tougher assignment tomorrow.
“CAPS are more dangerous than they were when we first played them because they have been going through a lot in recent weeks.
“This will make it a bit difficult for us but we are happy that our team has hit good form at the right time.
“We have been calling for consistency in the first half of the season, haven’t we?
“Now it appears our players are stepping up their game, which is very encouraging. Nonetheless, we are not going to relax.
“We all know what is at stake against CAPS United. From the body language at training you can actually see that everyone is raring to go. Just the feeling of playing CAPS United is enough motivation for them and
we are looking forward to the game,” said Kawondera.
He indicated that apart from striker Patrick Khumbula, DeMbare have their arsenal ready.
Midfielder Wonder Sithole returned from injury a few weeks ago but is a doubtful starter since he is still to gain match fitness.
Both sides have spoken against hooliganism, which reared its ugly head in the abandoned match between CAPS United and Gunners at Rufaro last week.
DeMbare are set to welcome back their striker Martin Vengesai who missed the back-to-back ties against Chicken Inn after he was red-carded in the first leg of the derby.
Vengesai is favourite to partner Roderick Mutuma in the attack as Khumbula is not available for selection due to injury.
Khumbula has not trained with the team since he suffered a knock during a practice session last week.
Dynamos have signed former Gunners midfielder Nathan Ziwini to boost their options ahead of the derby.
Ziwini signed a three-year deal with the Harare giants on Thursday after getting clearance from his previous employers on a permanent move.
Team manager Richard Chihoro yesterday confirmed that the Dynamos management was busy trying to formalise Ziwini’s registration papers with the Premier Soccer League, which could make the player available for tomorrow’s derby.
CAPS United goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda was all tears after conceding the last-gasp goal in the match and is expected to play a crucial role between the posts.
But changes are expected in the CAPS United defence where they need to cover up for centreback Edmore Chafungamoyo and David Sengu who were red-carded in their last match against Gunners. Sengu, who rejoined the Green Machine from Gunners last week, had come in as replacement for rightback Gilbert Mapemba who is away in South Africa for trials but got expelled in his first match.
Coach Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe, however, has several other options, which include new signings Tapiwa Kumbuyani, Asani Nhongo and Tendai Samanja while Luckmore Simango and Douglas Walaza are also available to strengthen the defence.
“The team is not about two or three players. We have a pool of players registered with the PSL and in every game we can only field 11,” said Jongwe.
Makepekepe are seventh on the log standings with 22 points and Jongwe said they were aiming for maximum points against DeMbare.
CAPS United have gone through a lean spell in the last month as they have neither won a match nor scored a goal in their last five outings, which include the 1-0 defeat at the hands of Highlanders in the BancABC quarterfinal.
“I usually don’t want to work with predictions but every coach goes into the match expecting a to win. We remain positive,” he said.
Gunners will resume their battle for survival when they host mid-table side Blue Ribbon at LaFarge this afternoon.
Gunners, now under new coach Moses Chunga, are second from bottom with 13 points, although they have three more points on the table from the abandoned match with CAPS United, which they led 2-0 before violence made it impossible to continue with the match in the 68th minute.
Chando Kupisa have changed since Chunga came on board and their passing game against CAPS United was a refreshing sight.
They come up against a Blue Ribbon side that began the season on a promising note but have since faded into an average team.
Misheck Chidzambwa will be looking for an improved performance from his charges who are coming from a pair of 3-3 draws against Shabanie Mine.
Leaders FC Platinum could extend their lead at the top to five points, should they beat a stubborn Kiglon at Gwanzura this afternoon in what is likely to be a banana skin for Rahman Gumbo and his charges. Kiglon are likely to be powered by a big contingent of Dynamos and CAPS United fans, united in their cause, against a rich team that has threatened to overwhelm the Premiership.
But whichever way you look – east, west, south and north – it’s the Harare Derby that matters this weekend.
Fixtures
Today
Shooting Stars v Zimbabwe Saints (Sakubva), Gunners v Blue Ribbon (Lafarge), Monomotapa v Chicken Inn (Rufaro), Kiglon v FC Platinum (Gwanzura)
Sunday
Shabanie Mine v Black Mambas (Maglas), Dynamos v CAPS United (National Sports Stadium), Masvingo v Motor Action (Mucheke), Hwange v Highlanders (Colliery).
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