Dyamos, Caps United Clash in Nerve Wrecking Local Derby
“It is always a high profile occasion and this time around it is no exception. We except current form to count for nothing. The last thing that both teams want is to lose."
HARARE — The debate on who are the kings of Harare football between the Green Machine of Caps United and the Glamour Boys of Dynamos will be settled Sunday. Will it be the steamrolling Caps United or Dynamos? That question will be answered at Rufaro Stadium Sunday when the two teams test each other’s strength in one of the biggest derbies in African football. This game is classified alongside those between Al Ahly and Zamalek in Egypt, Kaiser Chiefs and Oralndo Pirates in South Africa as well as the one between Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak in Ghana and a capacity crowd should be at Rufaro to join in the action. The two teams are going through contrasting fortunes with the Green Machine on the better side but reknowned football analyst Stanley Katsande has pointed out that in such high tempo matches form does not count. “It is always a high profile occasion and this time around it is no exception. We except current form to count for nothing. The last thing that both teams want is to lose,” said Katsande. Caps United have not beaten Dynamos in a league match since 2009 but the Green Machine’s vice captain Moses Muchenje says they would want to put an end to that Dynamos dominance. The day will also mark another test case for underfire Dynamos coach Paolo Jorge Silva. The Portuguese coach is sitting on his second game of his three match must win ultimatum and will be sacked should he lose to the Green Machine. Caps United supporter Willie Mutingwa believes the game against Caps United will mark the end of Silva’s association with the 2008 Caf Champions League semi-finalists. “They have been dominating us but on Sunday we want to end that. We want to win and collect three points,” Muchenje promised his team’s fans.” However, Silva himself is aware of the stakes on offer and has promised his fans celebration after the after the much talked about game. Knowledge Mutambara, a member of the Zimbabwe National Soccer Supporters Association sees nothing wrong with Silva and believes the Portuguese national is a good coach and will lead the Glamour Boys to victory over their bitter rivals. Dynamos have recalled forgotten striker Evans Gwekwerere, who is sure to start alongside the trusted Roderick Mutuma, while the Green Machine will most likely field captain Method Mwajali. The skipper, who is facing charges of attempted murder, is out of custody on $100 bail. The match has the whole of this week been the talk of the football fraternity but so too has been the Bulawayo derby between newly promoted Bulawayo City and Highlanders. The players from both teams know each other well as they are together on daily basis and that should set the tone for a thrilling showdown. FC Platinum are expected to extend their lead at the top of the table when they visit Ngezi Platinum Stars who have been inconsistent since earning their graduating into the Premiership at the beginning of the season. But defending champions, Chicken Inn have a tough task when they travel to Kariba for a date with ZPC Kariba who even when they do not play well rarely lost at Nyamhunga Stadium. Harare City coach Taurayi Mangwiro is hard pressed for victory against Hwange after the club’s leadership indicated that they were not happy with the way results are coming. Kelvin Kaindu’s Home Mine are at home to Triangle while Chapungu also play host to Tsholotsho Pirates at Ascot Stadium. Bottom placed Mutare City and second from bottom Border Strikers have a chance to pick up a point or three points as they engage each at Stadium which has been cleared to host Premiership football. Both teams cannot afford to continue dropping points as they are falling way behind the next teams in the relegation zone. Now to rugby: The curtain comes down on the 2016 Under World 20 rugby World Trophy with a final between Samoa and Spain set for Harare Sports Club. The final had initially been scheduled for the National Sports Stadium but had to be moved due to low attendance figures. Zimbabwe were eliminated from the tournament way back but will be involved in a seventh place play off against Hong Kong Saturday. Both teams lost all their three tournament matches. The team that loses will finish last in the eight team contest.