Murape Murape returns to DeMbare

By Augustine Hwata

HARARE – After serving a one-match ban Dynamos skipper Murape Murape returns to Glamour Boys duties on Sunday and yesterday he stoked some flames ahead of their derby showdown with CAPS United when he suggested that Makepekepe “are the real enemy that should always bepummelled into submission’’.

The high profile derby clash has been set for the National Stadium and will kick-off at 2pm, an hour earlier than the usual starting time in order to fit into the allotted time for live television coverage.

Murape missed Dynamos’ third win of the season – a 2-0 triumph over Hwange at Rufaro – because he was suspended for accumulating three yellow cards in their previous assignments.

The diminutive midfielder, whose brave heart and fiery temper belies his small frame chose to be with the fans in the vociferous Vietnam stand as he served his suspension and turned into a cheerleader as they rooted for Dynamos in their game against Hwange.

But on Sunday, Murape will be back to usual business as he reclaims the captain’s arm band for a tough battle against their bitter rivals.

Yesterday, Murape easily the most experienced player in the Dynamos squad rallied his troops and insisted that CAPS United remained their number one enemy as the two clubs fight for the bragging rights of the capital.

Since April 12, 2009, it has been the blue half of the capital that has enjoyed those bragging rights and Murape wants Dynamos to continue with that dominance arguing that there is nothing sweeter than beating their old enemies.

On Tuesday, CAPS United chief executive Joe Makuvire had appeared to throw the first punch in the build-up to the derby when he said his side were determined to turn the tide against their old foes this time around.

But the battle-hardened Murape rallied his troops to work extra hard because they were facing their biggest enemy in the league.

“It’s not going to be an easy game because we are playing our number one enemy CAPS United. We have managed to beat them in previous matches but those results now do not count. This is a new game altogether. Matches likes this derby do not usually go according to current form but the team that plays well on the day wins the game,” said Murape.

It is on the basis of their dominance that Dynamos get into the big battle as slight favourites.

But Murape warned his teammates against complacency since CAPS United would also be trying new tricks to get a positive result.

“We should not relax at all just because we have been winning against CAPS United. There is need for us to work harder every time because CAPS United have been on the receiving end and they are coming into this match better prepared so that they get a positive result,” said Murape.

Dynamos vice captain Tawanda Muparati scored the solitary goal during their first meeting last year at the National Sports Stadium while a brace from Roderick Mutuma gave DeMbare the three points in the second round at the same venue.

Muparati is still part of the team and should give a helping hand to Murape in midfield while Mutuma has since joined South African side Bloemfontein Celtic.

In joining the fans in the Vietnam stand Murape also seemed to have made up for the differences that had seemed to erupt between the two parties.

In the previous week, Murape had taken a jibe at a section of their fans that has a tendency of booing the team when the chips are down.

“Dynamos is a very big institution and we all play our part whether as players or supporters. On Sunday I decided to join the fans and make them feel that we are part of the same family. I helped in cheering the team and wanted them to be behind the players throughout the game. There was a spell when Hwange were in control of the game but we continued supporting the team and that’s how it should be,” he said.

As humans, Murape said players were bound to make errors during the game but the fans will not help matters if they boo a player instead of encouraging him.

“I was telling the fans that sometimes we make mistakes during the game but we also feel the same pain and wish we would correct it.

“But sometimes we allow the rivals to capitalise if our fans shout at us instead of encouraging the players to improve,” he said.

The seasoned Dynamos skipper who has a temperament for such big matches, said he can only expect boos from rivals supporters and not from the genuine blue hearts.

“Shouting at our players can only help the opposition back into to game and I am happy that we never had an incident where DeMbare fans booed at players on Sunday. Boos can only came from rivals fans and not our true supporters,” Murape said. The Herald