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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
THE Harare derby will headline the final weekend of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, with Dynamos and Caps United fighting for pride.
Caps United and Dynamos face off at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday, the day the curtain officially comes down on the 2021/22 season.
It’s not only the three points that the two giants will fight for on a weekend that the curtain comes down, but the bragging rights whose noise will run through the off-season up to around March when the new championship race kicks off.
Never mind that fans have kept away from the giant 60 000-seater National Sports Stadium, this episode of the Harare giants presents either side an opportunity to bounce out of a trophy-less season with heads high.
Dynamos coach Tonderai Ndiraya has been under pressure of late, with reports of his exit gathering momentum and the game against cross town rivals Caps United is an opportunity to prove his worth at DeMbare.
Pressure was exerted on Ndiraya on Sunday when Dynamos, third on the table with 57 points, fell 1-0 to Herentals at the National Sports Stadium.
Dynamos, 3-0 winners of the first leg against Caps United where they got their goals from Issa Sadiki, Ralph Kawondera and Frank Makarati will hope the trio brings along their A-game against Makepekepe.
DeMbare also have seasoned goalie Taimon Mvula, veteran defender Patson Jaure, energetic young midfielder who is also a strong contender for Rookie of the Year Junior Makunike, attacking midfielder King Nadolo, forwards Tinashe Makanda and Alex Orotomal to bank on.
Ndiraya and his charges, who have gone for three games without a win – losing 1-0 away at Bulawayo City, playing to a 0-0 draw against Highlanders and the defeat to Herentals – should expect a tough match against Caps United who not only want to atone for the first leg loss, but also want to bow out of the 2021/22 season with a win.
Just like Dynamos,, Caps United are winless in three consecutive matches – being held to a 2-2 draw by champions FC Platinum, followed by a 2-1 away defeat at Chicken Inn and then last weekend’s 2-2 stalemate against Bulawayo Chiefs.
That they managed to salvage a draw from the hands of defeat against Chiefs gives Caps United some element of confidence when they face Dynamos.
The league’s top scorer with 16 goals, William Manondo who is three goals clear of FC Platinum’s Wisdom Musona and former Soccer Star of the Year Rodwell Chinyengetere who were on target against Chiefs, veteran defender Marshal Machazane as well as experienced midfielders Devon Chafa and Ben Musaka are some of the players expected to carry the day for Caps United.
Meanwhile, the championship crowning match between FC Platinum and Cranborne Bullets has been brought to an early kickoff, with the game that will be broadcast live starting at 1pm.
Four-time champions FC Platinum who will receive their trophy after the match play host to Cranborne Bullets at Mandava Stadium on Saturday.
The FC Platinum-Cranborne Bullets clash which will be broadcast live on Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN) had initially been set for 3pm kickoff.
Other PSL matches slatted for early kick-off are the ZPC Kariba and Herentals encounter at Nyamhunga as well as the Black Rhinos-Bulawayo City clash at Vengere which also starts at 1pm.
Bulawayo City and ZPC Kariba are in danger of relegation but a draw is enough for the electricity generators to survive the dreaded chop. In order to survive, Amakhosi need to win by a 10 goal margin against Rhinos, provided that Kauya Katuruturu lose to the Students. – @ZililoR
Online Reporter