Old rivals renew hostilities

By Eddie Chikamhi
GIANTS CAPS United and Dynamos will give us a glimpse of what to expect from them in the Harare Derby this season when they meet in a US$40 000 challenge match dubbed the Bob’87 Super Cup at Rufaro tomorrow.
The game, held as part of the celebrations to mark the 87th birthday anniversary of President Mugabe, has assumed a competitive edge after the organisers yesterday dangled a US$25 000 carrot for the winners of the match.
The losers will get a cool US$15 000.
Harare businessman Stan Kasukuwere, who is organising the game, said they had also presented branded Adidas kits, to be used by both teams, during this match.
“It’s a big game and we have got a US$40 000 sponsorship package with the winner taking home US$25 000 and the loser getting US$15 000,” said Kasukuwere. We held a pre-match meeting with both teams yesterday and they told us that they will field their strongest teams and the cash incentives obviously compel the teams to field very strong sides.
“We have also bought 10 match balls for the occasion and we can say that it’s now all systems go and what is left is for the fans to come and the ticket for the rest of the ground, which is every area that is not the VIP Enclosure, remains US$1.”
With all eyes on striker Evans Gwekwerere, who crossed the Great Divide during the off-season, coaches from both teams yesterday said the match will provide a platform to work on their teams in the preparation for the coming Premiership season.
CAPS United coach Moses Chunga, whose side was on the receiving end against the Harare rivals when they met in the BancABC Sup8r Cup final, said he was looking for a positive run.
CAPS are coming from a 1-1 draw with Masvingo United in their last friendly match at Mucheke last week and will be keen to use the match to blend the old and new players.
“I don’t look on the rivalry between the two clubs but for positive results no matter who we are facing.
“Whether we are going to play a women’s team or juniors, what we look forward to is a positive result,” said Chunga.
Chunga beefed up the squad with such players as Gwekwerere, Washington Pakamisa, Simba Sithole, Merciful Ncube, Norest Mukwezvaramba, Stephen Matsangaise and Arnold Chivheya.
“We are preparing for a new season and this game is just one of the preparatory matches.
“It’s an opportunity to test all our players and I am going to put a team which comprises CAPS United players,” said Chunga.
Dynamos coach Lloyd Mutasa is well aware of the fight for bragging rights between the two Harare giants and hopes his side will have the last laugh.
“Any coach will be satisfied to win against a big team irrespective of the stage. We are preparing on two fronts because we are also taking part in the Champions League. Results are important to see how far we have gone,” said Mutasa.
Asked whether he will field his best XI, Mutasa said, “Very much so especially when we are preparing a team with only three weeks before the start of the season.
‘So the players who have been doing well will be given first preference.
“We have tried various combinations and we also take the opportunity to field some of the players who were away with the national team to see how they can blend with the others,” said Mutasa.
Both sides will welcome players who were at the CHAN tournament.
CAPS United had Clive Kawinga, Gilbert Mapemba and Nyasha Mukumbi while Dynamos had the exciting Archie Gutu, Denver Mukamba and Guthrie Zhokinyu.
Gutu, who could turn out to be the creative hub of the Dynamos machine this season, is fired up for the new domestic challenge.
Gutu joined Dynamos in October last year after getting his reverse clearance from South Africa where he had a forgettable stint at Ajax Cape Town.
Dynamos have been crying for a genius in the middle of the park since Ronald Sibanda left the club. Gutu’s best moment in Sudan was scoring the Warriors’ lone goal that gave Zimbabwe a win over Ghana in the group stages although he was disappointed they failed to make it beyond the group stages.
“Playing at the CHAN tournament was a big experience for me. We experienced a lot of things there and you win some and lose some,” said Gutu.
“But what was special was that I scored my first goal at senior level. I just have to push myself to work harder in future. Our team was okay but we were also unlucky against South Africa.”