Ninety Minutes Of Hell

The two giants will battle it out in the 69th edition of the Harare Derby — the domestic Premiership’s flagship encounter — at Rufaro tomorrow. There is so much at stake and Makopa, who recently returned from hamstring and back injuries, said the CAPS United game was bigger than anything they are involved in all season and winning it always brings the ultimate relief.
The Green Machine coach, Sean Connor, says they are ready for the showdown and feel it could be the turning point of a season in which they have largely flattered to deceive.
DeMbare are coming into this contest after a tough trip to Bulawayo where they battled Highlanders in a thrilling duel that ended in a 1-1 draw.
Dubbed “The Battle of Zimbabwe”, the game attracted the biggest crowd to watch a football match at Barbourfields in recent years with more than 25 000 fans filling the stadium to capacity.
Bosso’s strong showing, in the first half of the season in which they are unbeaten, has evoked tremendous interest in their brand in their home city with thousands of their fans coming back to cheer them at their home matches.
Interestingly, Makopa feels the big deal is that game against the Green Machine.
“It is better that we lose any other game during the season and then win this one,” said the tough defensive midfielder.
“It’s the biggest match on the calendar.
“As Dynamos we don’t want to disappoint our supporters because this is one game everyone has been talking about since the beginning of the season.
“You don’t need anyone to boost you up. Such a match is self-motivating and I think it is very important to carry the right attitude into the game.
“It needs high level concentration from the first whistle up to the finish because one silly mistake could prove very costly at the end.”
Dynamos have enjoyed better returns in their recent meetings with their rivals and should go into the match with their spirits high especially after welcoming back Denver Mukamba at yesterday’s training.
The talented midfielder has missed the club’s last three league games and a continental assignment in Angola against Interclube in the Confederation Cup.
However, DeMbare are facing more problems upfront following the departure of Takesure Chinyama to Orlando Pirates ahead of the big match early this week as the rest of their strikers have been struggling.
The Glamour Boys are also looking for a big contribution from their new signing, Cliff Sekete, who featured in his first game at Barbourfields last Sunday. The former Gunners’ talisman exploded in the second half at Barbourfields, after a very quiet first half and was clearly the best player on show.
A slippery diminutive forward, Sekete has the X-Factor, which makes it difficult for defenders to know what he is likely to do and once he moved into his stride last Sunday, he caused terror on the wings.
The Glamour Boys were forced to sacrifice defensive midfielder Leo Kurauzvione to accommodate Sekete while they are still contemplating re-engaging veteran Desmond Maringwa during the transfer period.
Makopa feels it is an advantage for Dynamos to engage their bitter rivals at this moment, especially coming from another high-profile match.
“I think we will be more energised. We must look at it in the context that we are currently in a period where we have three or four big games coming up in succession, but obviously this one is the main one.
“Talking of pressure? There is enough pressure in playing for Dynamos.
“So to us it’s just business as usual with the only difference being that this is the Harare Derby which everyone forward to every season.”
Dynamos are currently seventh with 24 points while CAPS United are sitting two rungs down on number nine on the log standings with 19 points.
The Green Machine saw their six match unbeaten run coming to an end when they lost 1-0 to Highlanders at Barbourfields and then 2-1 to Hwange at Gwanzura.
“We have not won any of our last two matches,” said Connor.
“Before I took over this managerial job, I had to understand what this game means.
“This is the type of game that you would want to be a manager and win it. It’s a pity that it’s not a cup final.”
A former Bohemian coach in his native Northern Ireland, Connor said he knows what is expected in such big games.
“We asked the players to look up to their reputation and I have challenged them to show everyone what they exhibit at training.
“At training, some of these players have been good and now they have to show everyone what they can do.
“I have managed Bohemians in Ireland in a derby and I know what is expected.
“With Bohemians, we had up to 60 000 fans and here you talk about 40 000.
“So the players have to give a good response.
“Last week at training, I drew a line in the sand and crossed over to one side and then asked anyone who was willing to join me to cross and they all crossed,” said Connor.
Matches of this magnitude do not usually go according to form, but the performance on the day.
“Right now we are really looking forward to this game. The players have taken heed of what Mr Jere (club director) said in a Press article last week and respect what he said,” said Connor.
“I think they are motivated and they know what is expected of them.
“We held a meeting with them. This game gives them the chance to get the bragging rights and I just hope that the referee will be fair and strong on the day. He should be brave enough to make right decisions so that the best team on the day win.”
The CAPS United boss said striker Evans Gwekwerere and Edmore Sibanda were doubtful for the game.
“Edmore is still to recover from his head injuries and we do not want to risk him for this game.
“Evans twisted his ankle at training and we have to assess him while Muzondiwa Gonese has been suspended for a week for comments he made in the newspapers,” said Connor. Gonese was quoted in the media saying he had quit playing football and was now focusing on the ministering the word of God.
“I think Gonese blamed himself for the defeat against Hwange and felt disappointed. One thing I tell my players is that you should not let a defeat affect you so much and at the same time they should not be over excited from a win,” said Connor.
The absence of Takesure Chinyama from the Dynamos camp comes as good news for Connor.
“Dynamos have a good left back and also this guy from Gunners (Sekete) is also and their players and they stick together as team.
“I have also noticed that Dynamos fans sing to get behind the team instead of getting on the player’s back.
“So I am under no illusion that it will be a very difficult task at hand.
“We failed to win in the first four games and then went for six games undefeated and then lost two.
“Yes, we have gone through a turbulence period but I think this game is the spur to take the team to another level.”