Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
IS Harare going to be painted blue, pink or green this weekend?
Well, it depends on the outcome of the matches featuring Dynamos and Herentals this afternoon and the long-awaited second duel between CAPS United and Scottland at Rufaro.
The game between giants CAPS United and ambitious new boys Scottland appears to have taken the lead, with an impressive pre-match hype played out on the clubs’ social media platforms.
The Scottland lion icon and the CAPS United greens were ubiquitous on Facebook, X (Twitter) and WhatsApp channels as the clubs tried to outdo each other in terms of digital creativity.
On the other side of the divide, there is nothing much being said in the domestic football circles about this afternoon’s clash between Dynamos and Herentals at Rufaro.
The Students have been struggling to get goals lately while DeMbare’s troubles this season have been storied with the fading giants’ camp struggling to produce anything positive on and off the field.
DeMbare have not done much to offer hope even of a commitment to fight relegation leaving their faithful, an exasperated lot.
In contrast, the talk in the town around the Premiership games this week has centred around the game between CAPS United and ambitious newboys Scottland who are set to also collide at the same venue tomorrow.
Sadly, both Dynamos and CAPS United are not in brilliant health as they go into the weekend games, sitting in the bottom half of the table while their opponents are among the top eight.
While there has been renewed hope at Makepekepe following the arrival of Zambian coach Ian Bakala, it is not all rosy for DeMbare both on and off the pitch.
Dynamos coach Saul Chaminuka has been putting on a brave face insisting that he was not reading much into his side’s relegation woes, as they shift focus this second half of the season on an escape route.
“It being a local derby, I think as coach I have little work to do because it’s supposed to be self-motivating.
“Players want winning against their friends, and everyone wants to be the champion in this game, and I think we are ready,” said Chaminuka.
Dynamos face a major shake-up in their defence this afternoon as skipper Emmanuel Jalai is still out through injury while left back Abel Gwatidzo, one of the consistent performers, has been suspended for accumulating three yellow cards.
Another left back Nomore Chinyerere is on his way out to Triangle.
“Yes, we have a blow in our left wing-back, Abel Gwatidzo, who is suspended, but fine, we have players to replace him.
“With the three points that we so much want to get out of our relegation, and the players know, they know what they need to do,” said Chaminuka.
He also explained Jalai’s absence.
“Captain Emmanuel Jalai is having a toe injury. From my understanding, I am sure he might start training come next week.”
Dynamos are sitting on 17th position while Herentals are eighth.
Whilst both Dynamos and Herentals have not made attempts to hype their game, a weight of expectation will be hovering Rufaro tomorrow as Scottland hosts giants CAPS United.
There is a promise of new players acquired during the just opened mid-season transfer window being thrown into the fray by both teams.
CAPS United yesterday confirmed the clearances of two foreign players who include veteran forward Chris Mugalu of DRC and Zambian defender Chitoshi Chinga.
They also lured back former Zimbabwe international, Ishmael Wadi, who has had stints in South Africa.
CAPS United need to improve on their 12th position, and Bakala was oozing confidence during one of Makepekepe’s training sessions this week.
“For us, we just have to get the three points. Looking at the players, the way they are training, they are motivated at the moment. They know what is at stake and where we are,” said Bakala.
“We are preparing for that game, and we know it won’t be easy. Like I have always said, every game that comes now is like a final for us,” he said.
CAPS United will welcome back their talismanic midfielder Kundai Benyu, who missed last Sunday’s match against GreenFuel owing to a flu bug.
The former Celtic star has been in phenomenal form for CAPS United of late, scoring three goals last month, and his absence was felt in his team’s goalless duel against the Chisumbanje visitors.
Scottland announced the signing this week of Zimbabwe international Terrence Dzvukamanja, who arrived from South Africa.
The 31-year-old follows in the footsteps of teammates Khama Billiat, Walter Musona and Ronald Pfumbidzai, who retraced their footstwps home after playing in South Africa.
He could be immediately handed his debut by a Scottland outfit who are desperate for a win after a three-match winless run
Scottland coach Tonderai Ndiraya will be praying that his team halts a three-match winless run that has dented their title quest.
The Mabvuku side sit fourth on the log standings, with 28 points, nine adrift of log leaders MWOS.
“We are focused on the game at hand, and the game promises to be the most exciting encounter because both teams have already boosted their squads,” he said.
“We have brought in new players to add depth to our squad, and they (CAPS United) have also boosted their squad.
“So, it’s going to be the most interesting encounter, and we hope to have a positive start on the second half of the season come Saturday,” said Ndiraya.
Elsewhere in Norton, MWOS will be hoping to cement their lead at the top of the log standings when they host Bikita Minerals at Ngoni.
Defending champions Simba Bhora, two points behind MWOS will need to keep the pressure with a home date against ZPC Kariba at Wadzanayi.
Fixtures:
Today: GreenFuel v Ngezi Platinum Stars (GreenFuel Arena), MWOS v Bikita Minerals (Ngoni), Chicken Inn v Yadah (Luveve), Manica Diamonds v FC Platinum (Sakubva – Postponed), Simba Bhora v ZPC Kariba (Wadzanayi), Dynamos v Herentals (Rufaro)
Tomorrow: Triangle v TelOne (Gibbo), Scottland v CAPS Utd (Rufaro), Kwekwe v Highlanders (Bata)
A mixture of pink, green and blue creates an ugly greyish-brown colour and that’s what Harare will look like at the weekend because both matches will be draws.