Dynamos vs Caps United: Derby Reloaded

By Makomborero Mutimukulu

HARARE – Dynamos have their wish……………. They immediately waved the re-match placard soon after the 5-6 Zim Sino Cup penalty defeat to a fired up Caps United at Rufaro Stadium a fortnight ago.

Their argument was, and still is, that Caps United had not beaten Dynamos in normal time as the match had ended 1-all with Justice Jangano giving Makepekepe the lead before Walter Mukanga restored parity.

The script could have been different had the unfortunate Milton Makopa not missed the sudden death penalty, they point out.

Next time we will prove who the kings of Harare are, the DeMbare faithful said after that absorbing pre-season engagement.

Fourteen days have passed.

The “next time” is here.

And Rufaro Stadium — that good old venue that still has an artificial turf that everyone condemns — will play host to Zimbabwe’s most explosive derby.

The Bob 91 Super Cup will be on offer but even if it wasn’t the prize, even if there was none, this one would still be explosive.

There is no love lost between Dynamos and Caps United and one Rodreck Mutuma has spiced it all up.

The lanky striker has quickly transformed himself into one of the leaders in the Caps United dressing room and he spent most of last week nonchalantly reminding his teammates that Rodreck Mutuma doesn’t lose derbies.

Mutuma’s “there is nothing special about Dynamos” gospel has found believers at a side that had grown accustomed to being pummelled into submission by DeMbare during Kallisto Pasuwa’s golden reign.

The coming in of British coach Mark Harrison also has the Green Army dreaming.

Harrison makes the right sounds and he was in the groove at Friday night’s cocktail, revealing that his wife and President Mugabe share the same birthday.

“My wife’s birthday falls on the 21st of February and it coincides with the President’s, so I should presume that should be a good omen,” he said.

“Ours (coaches’) is the best job in the world, we are paid to entertain thousands of people and we will try and do that on Sunday (today).

“I am enjoying my stay in Zimbabwe, I have stayed many years in South Africa, but this is a good country, the people are nice, save for one incident when my phone was stolen two weeks ago when we played Dynamos.

“We will go out there and try to win, Dynamos are also out for a win, that is the nature of the game.

“It is a derby, a very tight match, but at the end of the day, there can only be one winner.”

Now that’s the talk the Caps United fans want to hear.

The “yes we have prepared well but the anything can happen” line that Taurai Mangwiro had perfected just didn’t cut it with that demanding lot that waves anything green — from vegetables to underwear — just to show their love for the dethroned Cup Kings.

The challenge for Caps United now is to prove that they have the sense to go with the cents that their new sponsor — Zing — has promised to pour into the club.

After years of running on almost empty, Makepekepe look like they have turned the corner financially.

Harrison is a disciple of the passing game and says his Green Machine will soon be smooth operators, a team that wins sexy. The Englishman has the Caps United fans singing his name.

Sadly, the same cannot be said for his opposite number David “Yogi” Mandigora, the man who dared to take over from the trailblazing Pasuwa.

Mandigora is being judged harshly with the majority of the Dynamos fans of the belief that he is not the right man to lead their team.

They don’t offer strong points in defence of their position and one gets the feeling that it’s all about Yogi being the man Yogi is, that rubs the Dynamos fans the wrong way.

The veteran gaffer, who led Dynamos to the caf Champions League semi-final and several trophies during his first reign, looks too laid back for a DeMbare coach.

Mandigora says precious little and as his charges get ready to face an ultra confident outfit with the full knowledge that a second defeat to Caps United in two weeks will be viewed as treasonous, the DeMbare gaffer has been talking of playing without fear.

However, Mandigora has been preaching this sermon behind closed doors and avoiding the media like a plague.

With his boss nutmegging the media, assistant coach Tonderai Ndiraya has been doing the talking for the Glamour Boys.

“This time around we hope to give Caps United a good fight, we have done our homework throughout the week and are now ready for the duel,” said Ndiraya at Friday’s event.

“I wouldn’t want to say much because we will do much of the talking on the field of play.

“I must, however, thank the sponsors of this Cup for giving us another opportunity to meet Caps United again before the season starts and this time around I am sure we will get a positive result.” The Sunday Mail