Diya rallies DeMbare

Augustine Hwata Senior Sports Reporter
IN 1991, Tichaona Diya was a lean schoolboy at Harare High School and used to spend the afternoons training with Dynamos hoping to play for the Glamour Boys one day. Back then it looked a very tall order for the young lad from Danho to try and dislodge a seasoned campaigner like Peter Fanwell but Diya remained unnerved.

As a rising teenage goalkeeper, Diya had been initiated into the culture at Dynamos that they should avoid a defeat, especially against city rivals CAPS United, at all costs.

It’s now 22 years since Diya made his debut and a lot has changed in terms of players and coaching personnel at both teams but one thing that has remained alive, is the fierce rivalry rekindled by the derby.

Tomorrow, Dynamos clash with CAPS United in the 72nd edition of the Harare Derby at Rufaro and Diya is now the assistant coach at DeMbare where he is also a specialist trainer for goalkeepers.

“I remember that I made my debut in the Super League, before it was branded Premiership in 1991 and it was during a game against CAPS United.
“We had lost 5-2 to Hwange and the coaches had roped in some changes as what sometimes happens after a defeat.

“So I was given a run and I think I was the man-of-the-match and we won 1-0 against CAPS United. I had never expected to play in that game but I was called into play at the last minute and we were all happy,” he said.

Now Diya has challenged his troops to rekindle the spirit of treating CAPS United as their perennial arch-rivals and retain the bragging rights, at least until next season.

“Every team that plays Dynamos approaches the match like a cup final and this game against CAPS United is one of those matches.
“It’s a big derby and that is one game that our fans do not want us to lose and as Dynamos, we want to win at all cost. I know that it’s the same feeling from CAPS United camp, who also want to win,” said Diya yesterday.

Going into the match tomorrow, both teams have been enjoying a good run and only three points separate them.
Dynamos lead the table with 38 points and are tied with Harare City while CAPS United are third with 35 points and a victory over the Glamour Boys could blow open the race.

“Right now we are at the top of the log and we need to consolidate that position.
“It’s a must win game for us. We do not have easy games at this stage and after this game we also have some Cup games coming,” said Diya.
While history tells that the old derbies were explosive and usually brought the whole town, if not the whole nation to a standstill, Diya said the fear of losing has affected the current crop of players.

“These matches are sometimes tricky in that a team that plays well on the day will win the game or may not win.
“The derby has lost its lustre and the game is no longer flowing well because the teams want to grind out a result irrespective of the performance.
“There is too much tension around the stadium. We do not just enter into the game but we need to read the situation first.

“So it depends, but if we can get an early goal, then everything could change as the other team chases the game while the other seeks to consolidate the lead and that brings excitement,” said Diya.

The last meeting between the two sides could not provide a goal from open play and it needed a penalty by Devon Chafa to give Dynamos the edge from a match CAPS United believe they should at least deserved a point.

Chafa is ruled out of the game as he serves a provisional suspension from Fifa after he tested positive for a prohibited substance while Thomas Magorimbo is suspended for accumulating three yellow cards.

But Pasuwa could use Stephen Alimenda as the holding midfielder while Sydney Linyama or Milton Makopa are capable of filling the role as Patson Jaure and Gift Bello form the central defence.

Tall goalkeeper George Chigova is a sure bet between the posts because of his impressive frame and form while Tawanda Muparati, has been the creative hub of the side since the departure of Denver Mukamba.

“If we do not get an early goal, the teams may take a cautious approach in every minute of the game.
“From Dynamos, our players’ attitude is positive and it’s one game where the players do not want to lose and I think they are more than ready,” he said.

Yesterday, Dynamos took time to practice some set pieces as they wound up their training session at Zimphos for a tie that Diya feels should be a big advertisement for the Castle Lager Premiership.