Murape salutes the fans

Premiership tie against CAPS United at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday was not an exception.
Murape was one of the few players to put up commanding performance as Dynamos ground out a win in a dramatic fashion.
For much of the game, both teams failed to play a passing game and the situation was compounded by the intermittent stoppages from referee Pascal Zata.

Zata, however, added to the drama that characterise the tension-filled derbies as he expelled Dynamos striker Martin Vengesayi in the second half for a second yellow card.
However, despite being reduced to 10-man, Dynamos fought bravely and the Glamour Boys would have been comfortable to earn a draw but they did better when Tawanda Muparati scored with just two minutes remaining.

Murape broke into dance when Zata blew to end the match as scores of Dynamos fans invaded the pitch to celebrate while CAPS fans were dejected.
Maybe had Zata added stoppage time to justify the stoppages, a lot more drama could have been witnessed at the National Sports Stadium.

But, despite many stoppages, the referee blew right on time.
Murape conceded that the game failed to provide the expected excitement to justify it as the biggest derby in Zimbabwe.
However, he was pleased that Dynamos managed to get a priceless win that boosted the team following the defeat to newly promoted Blue Ribbon in the previous game.

“It was a good game although we did not play as we wanted.
“A derby is unpredictable and I think there was supposed to be a winner at the end of the day,” said Murape.
Murape also commended his teammates for holding their own when CAPS had the numerical advantage while Dynamos had also been forced to make two-injury induced substitutions on Denver Mukamba and David Kutyauripo.

“They (CAPS) relied on counter attacks but we kept our cool.
“We fought for every ball and at the end of the day it paid for us,” said Murape.
Murape also believes that the red card to hard-running striker Vengesayi was unjustified.

“The red card on Martin, I think it was a harsh decision on him given the magnitude of the game.
“It was a 50-50 ball and it was a soft card.
“After the red card we never lost hope, we kept on fighting and the crowd was good, they made us feel really bad to let them down.

“We dedicate the win to our supporters,” said Murape.
Even the hero of the day Muparati, who came from the bench in the second half, felt that Zata was too harsh on Vengesayi.

Muparati was overcome with emotions as a flood of joyous tears rolled down his cheeks and it was in contrast to CAPS United goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda who cried in dejection.
“Scoring a winning goal in a game of this magnitude is great.

“It was a good match from both teams and I think we deserved a win.
“The referee is human and mistakes are common but I think he was harsh on that particular occasion given the tension of the game,” said Muparati.

Muparati capitalised on a lapse in concentration by CAPS United’s Sibanda, Arnold Chivheya and Stephen Alimenda to drill a weak shot that made a great impact to DeMbare.
CAPS United defender Gilbert Mapemba was naturally disappointed to lose.

The Warriors’ rightback pointed out that they failed to pass and control the ball well.
“It was an evenly-balanced match but we did not play our usual passing game.

“We failed to utilise our advantage of one man and we were punished.
“It was a derby and one team had to win it’s unfortunate that we lost.

“I think it was a good game from both teams,” said Mapemba.
According to the estimated official figures, slightly over 28 000 fans paid their way into the stadium while dozens of fans broke Gate 4 to force their way in.
Kick off to the match had to be delayed by 15 minutes as the football chiefs wanted to avert a potential stampede.

CAPS United chief executive Max Mironga said they had done their best to open 27 entry points around stadium.
Mironga said some turnstiles were not working while he also appealed to fans to avoid coming to the big games at the last minute.

“At least getting 28 000 was a good crowd.
“It’s almost the same figure we got on last year’s game against Dynamos at Rufaro but this time there had been a reduction in levies for us,” said Mironga.

CAPS United paid 15 percent of gross earnings to the Sports and Recreation Commission for rental as opposed to 20 percent charged by the City of Harare for its facilities. “Just that five percent is a lot of money that came make a difference towards the welfare of the teams.

“We also appeal to have a review of the charges paid to other service providers like the police,” said Mironga.
CAPS United grossed about US$89 000 from the match.