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Makomborero Mutimukulu, Harare Bureau
DYNAMOS went into camp on Friday night.
Caps United will regroup at a Harare hotel this mid-morning for an early lunch before heading to war.
Hold up. The differences in approach don’t end there.
They might share the same name but Lloyd Chitembwe and Lloyd Mutasa are cut from different cloths.
Chitembwe believes in efficiency while Mutasa is a football romantic, a coach who is always looking for a sexier way of doing things. Caps look for the quickest way to goal, DeMbare want to swagger their way to it.
Both coaches have had to make difficult calls with the Caps gaffer choosing to go with experience and the Dynamos tactician giving an unheralded lad a chance to shine. Despite the absence of Dominic Chungwa, his on fire number nine, Chitembwe has decided to bench Nigerian striker Abrasim Chidiebere.
John Zhuwawo will lead the Makepekepe attack with a fit again Tafadzwa “Fire” Rusike slotting in just behind the rookie.
Mutasa has to make do without utility man Obey Mwerahari and the Dynamos coach has given Godfrey “Marubber” Mukambi the nod.
Mukambi, who can play at right back, centre half or in central midfield, partners Lincoln Zvasiya in his biggest game in DeMbare colours. Nkosana Nduna will take charge of a Harare Derby whose cheapest ticket has been pegged at $5. The highly rated referee is sure to have his plate full. While Chitembwe rarely fires salvos towards match officials for Mutasa a trip towards the fourth official and occasional barbs aimed at the man in the centre are daily bread.
DeMbare team manager Richard “Nyoka” Chihoro and goalies coach Zondai Nyaungwa usually act as incapable assistants when Mutasa loses his cool.
As Chihoro and Nyaungwa join their boss in the crazy moments assistant coach Biggie “Nzou” Zuze remains rooted to the bench — cool, calm and collected.
Roping in Zuze was one of the smartest decisions Mutasa has ever made.
From the opposite bench it appears Caps United assistant coach Mark Mathe is the only one with an appetite of questioning match officials.
Meanwhile, some intriguing personal battles will be on show at the NSS. Hardlife Zvirekwi has to track Ocean Mushure. Phineas Bhamusi goes up against Peace Makaha. Devon Chafa battles Tichaona Chipunza for the right to control midfield turf and the game. Valentine Musarurwa has to deal with the slippery Cleopas Kapupurika.
It may just be explosive!
Probable starting line ups
Caps United: E Sibanda, H Zvirekwi, V Musarurwa, S Makatuka, C Munzambwa, D Chafa, K Nyamupfukudza, P Bhamusi, T Rusike, A Kambanje, J Zhuwawo
Dynamos: T Mateyaunga, P Makaha, L Zvasiya, G Mukambi, P Dube, G Saunyama, T Chipunza, C Kapupurika, D Mukamba, O Mushure, N Epoupa
Results
Yesterday: Yadah 3-1 Bantu Rovers, Black Rhinos 1-1 Triangle United, How Mine 1- 2 Chicken Inn, Bulawayo City 3-2 ZPC Kariba
Bongani Ndlovu