When Giants Clash

three encounters last year, two in the league and one in the cup, were decided by a single goal. It’s usually the team with better luck that carries the day.
While DeMbare won all the three games last year, they really can’t say they dominated CAPS United and they needed an own goal from David Sengu for them to win in the Mbada Diamonds Cup.
That rivalry, which dates from the 1970s, will be rekindled this afternoon when the teams cross swords in the 69th edition of the Harare Derby at Rufaro.
Dynamos defender, Guthrie Zhokinyi, yesterday tipped the Glamour Boys to maintain their dominance over their bitter foes.
Makepekepe skipper, Tapiwa Kumbuyani, believes the Green Machine are much stronger this season, despite their failure to hit consistency, and will be a match for DeMbare..
Zhokinyi said DeMbare will be looking to continue from where they left last year when they beat their rivals in all competitive matches. The tough defender said DeMbare are looking to build on the confidence, gained from the tough 1-1 draw at Highlanders last Sunday, in which they gave as much as they got.
He said Dynamos will not get carried away by results from their previous meetings with the Green Machine, which seem to give them a psychological edge.
“Derbies are usually tough encounters and in such matches form counts for little,” said Zhokinyi.
“Of course, we have a psychological edge but it’s not wise to look at what CAPS United have been doing in their recent games because we will carry a wrong attitude. They have played badly here and there but we must always remember that they have a very strong side with quality players. Our aim is to concentrate on our game because that is what we have much control over. It’s a new game and we want maintain that dominance over them.”
Zimbabwe international midfielder, Denver Mukamba, is back in the DeMbare fold after returning from a trial stint at South Africa’s Bidvest Wits and is expected to play a central role.
DeMbare will also welcome from injury their experienced midfielder Murape Murape and rookie winger Farai Mupasiri.
No doubt DeMbare will need Murape’s experience in such a high-profile game because he has proved over the years that he is a player with a big heart, able to motivate his teammates in pressure situations.
But the fact that he has been out the whole of last month nursing a knee injury would pose a headache and the coaches will have to decide if the experienced player will make the starting line-up. Zambian forward Derrick Kabwe is not available due to injury.
Kabwe, who appears to be struggling to establish himself in the Glamour Boys outfit, was involved in a collision with goalkeeper George Chigova at training and suffered a knee injury.
Left-back Augustine Mbara is not available for selection since his contract with the Glamour Boys has expired and negotiations are still going on between the club’s management and his handlers.
The DeMbare technical crew, however, will not be under pressure to include him for this game as Ocean Mushure is fit and played well in Bulawayo.
“We expect the team to fight as a unit. It appears everyone is motivated and if we carry that same spirit into the game then we may come out tops.
“That is the stage to show the kind of stuff one is made of. I am sure the better team will win,” said Zhokinyi.
CAPS United skipper Kumbuyani, who will be playing in his third Harare Derby against Dynamos, said they are more prepared this year to face their opponents.
Kumbuyani remembers vividly how Rodrick Mutuma spoiled his debut match in the green-and-white colours when the lanky marks-man scored twice in the last 20 minutes to hand Dynamos a 2-1 win after coming from behind at the National Sports Stadium.
But the Warriors’ right-back reckons it was time CAPS United picked up their game in the wake of their depressing run this season.
“My first game at CAPS United was in the second leg of the Harare derby which we lost 2-1. I played again in the Mbada Diamonds Cup first round which we lost 1-0.
“So this will be my third time to feature in the CAPS United duels against Dynamos.
“It feels good preparing for this game. Everyone wants it. I should say this time we are much more geared up and we want a positive result.
“A win tomorrow (today) will make it up for all the disappointments that I have encountered against this team last year,” said Kumbuyani.
Makepekepe are likely to miss one of their chief strikers, Evans Gwekwerere, through injury, but coaches Sean Connor and Lloyd Chitembwe still have enough arsenal in Shingi Kawondera, Clive Kawinga and newboy Leonard Fiyado.
Exciting forward Rahman Kutsanzira, Blessing Zabula, Hardlife Zvirekwi and Kawondera, who joined the Green Machine this season, are expected to play big roles in the derby for the first time.
Kutsanzira and Kawondera are some of the lively prospects to look out for in this Green Machine outfit that also has experienced players like Marvel Samaneka, Douglas Walaza, Edmore Chafungamoyo and Charles Chiutsa.
Goalkeeper Itai Chiwara, who has often not seen much of the game time, could start between the posts today as the coaches are unlikely to risk injured goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda while Muzondiwa Gonese has been suspended by the club.
“We have some players who will be playing in this derby for the first time and they need encouragement.
“But what we have to know as a team is that we have to work hard the whole 90 minutes and results will come, bearing in mind that such high pressure games are unpredictable,” said Kumbuyani.
CAPS United are eager for a victory that should signal the turning point of a season that has been tainted by poor returns despite the heavy pre-season preparations.
Makepekepe appeared to have rediscovered their form recently after going for six matches without a loss but two defeats to Highlanders (1-0) and Hwange (2-1) in their last two outings should have been a blow to their morale.