DeMbare vs Caps United: Battle of the fans

By Grace Chirimanzu

CAPS United supporters are set to throng the National Sports Stadium in Harare on Sunday to support their team in what they hope will be a long-awaited league victory over arch rivals, Dynamos.

While Makepekepe have played second fiddle to their city rivals over the years, the Green Machine were victors in the most recent clash between the sides, a 1-0 win in the Commander ZNA’s Charities Soccer Shield semi-final in May, the team’s first victory over their rivals in five years.

Makepekepe supporters believe that Cup win was no fluke and hope their team can prove it on Sunday in a game in which both sides are aiming for maximum points to keep their title dreams alive.

Doubt “Mupostori” Milanzi, a CAPS United fan believes God smiled on them when they beat the Glamour Boys in the cup game and hopes that day marked “the beginning of a new era for the Green Machine.”

Although the teams’ positions on the log table are determined by results on the field of play, both Dynamos and CAPS United’s 12th men realise their role in the game.

Their regalia, instruments and flags will paint the capital blue, green and white with vuvuzelas blown in solidarity with
either side’s 11 battlers on the pitch.

Dynamos supporters know very well their team need not take an in-form Green Machine for granted or they will have to endure the same humiliation they have have subjected their rivals to over the years.

“I am expecting both teams to come to the party with CAPS United aiming to end our (Dynamos) long standing dominance over them, while we try to maintain that edge,” Glamour Boys faithful, Solomon Maganyi told The Zimbabwe Mail.

“If I was in the technical department, I would bench Blessing Moyo for the more experienced Oscar Machapa and maintain the other guys who started against Rhinos.

“They need to be cautious when attacking so as to avoid counter attacks and also not to concede any fouls just outside the penalty area because on a good day, that guy called Pervington Zimunya can bury those set pieces.”

Maganyi is one of the analytical football fanatics who believe the 12th man has a big role to play in determining events on the field.

“There are people with a tendency of booing and whistling from the stands. It is important for them to know that we are not forcing anyone to come and support and it is better they stay home. Each player on
the field needs our support,” he said.

All sorts of songs will be sung in the National Sports Stadium from both sets of supporters and this particularly popular song is likely to be targeted at whichever group of fans is on the losing side: “Ohoooooh! Owohooooo! Owohooooo! . . . Vakuda kuchema!” Zimbabwe Mail

Dynamos fans’ starting XI: A Mukandi, O Mushure, P Jaure, T Ndlovu, O Machapa, S Alimenda, D Chafa, R Chitiyo, M Murape, W Pakamisa, R Mutuma.

Caps United’s starting eleven: J Muchambo, T Kumbuyani, A Nhongo, S Matakuta, D Chipala, T Samanja, H Zvirekwi, M Muchenje, D Chungwa, L Fiyado, R Pfumbidzai. Zimbabwe Mail