By Eddie Chikamhi
HARARE – Yet another potentially explosive derby showdown is on the cards when CAPS United clash against bitter rivals Dynamos in a ZNA Charities semi-final tie at Rufaro on Sunday.
The two Premiership giants, whose clashes come with bragging rights for the capital, have already met in the Sino-Zimbabwe Challenge Cup, the Bob 91 Super Cup and will now lock horns in a match aimed at raising funds for charitable organisations that are sponsored by the Zimbabwe National Army.
Four teams will take part again this year with Highlanders relishing a date against giant-killers How Mine who replaced defending champions FC Platinum.
DeMbare and Makepekepe are also set to meet in the fourth week of the 2015 Castle Lager Premiership marathon.
But for now they have to contend with seeking to outdo each other in the pre-season tournaments and as it stands, both sides are even with CAPS United having claimed the honours in the Sino-Zimbabwe Challenge Cup while a Ronald Chitiyo wonder strike ensured Dynamos retained the Bob Super Cup.
CAPS United assistant coach Brenna Msiska said yesterday there is nothing like a friendly match whenever they face DeMbare.
The Harare giants meet for the third time inside a month at Rufaro after they were picked in a repeat of last year’s draw in the same competition.
The platinum miners were not able to participate in this year’s edition of the invitational tournament since they have a busy schedule in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Makepekepe goalkeepers’ coach Msiska said his side is looking to turn the tables following their 1-0 defeat in the Bob 91 Super Cup. The sides also met last month in the Sino-Zim Cement Cup which the Green Machine won 6-5 following a penalty shootout.
“It’s good we are going to play Dynamos again. Those games are now behind us and this is now a new game. But what we know is that when we play Dynamos there’s nothing as friendly.
“It’s not a revenge match as such. We are just going to play our normal game, but it’s just that there is no friendly game (against Dynamos) whether we play Under 20s or 40-year-olds,” said Msiska.
Last year CAPS United beat Dynamos 1-0 in the semi-finals of the ZNA Charities at the National Sports Stadium courtesy of Dominic Mukandi’s first half strike.
But they had a terrible outing in the final after slumping to a 6-0 thumping at the hands of FC Platinum at Mandava. The Herald
