The ManicaPost
ESTEEMED followers of the game of football, thank you for finding time for interaction.
The norm each time Dynamos and CAPS United square off is that they fiercely slug it out. The belief is that a win over one makes the other the better team in the capital city, yet the value is that neither is ready nor comfortable to lose to their cross-town rivals. These, therefore, are the norms, beliefs and values that define the culture of the Harare Derby – a tradition that informs this fixture.
Over the past years, whenever these two giants clash they have an axe to grind as well as old scores to settle. And at the end of 90 minutes of this return match of the 40th edition of the Harare Derby at Rufaro on Sunday, CAPS United must have derived some satisfaction after meting out revenge on Dynamos – getting the bragging rights that come and go with this contest. Makepekepe lost the first leg a fortnight ago.
Noteworthy is how these bitter rivals got the better of each in the other’s own backyard – DeMbare overcoming their perennial foes at the National Sports Stadium two weeks ago and Makepekepe conquering at Rufaro Stadium last weekend and leaving the scores evenly balanced, at least for this season, in this popular fixture.
As they served their cold dish of revenge, the result was even sweeter in that it catapulted the Green Machine into eighth place up from 11th. For the Glamour Boys it was, however, sour as they blew away the chance to leapfrog fellow title aspirants Chicken Inn and FC Platinum into pole position on the log standings.
As did Dynamos’ top marksman, Christian Epoupa Ntouba, made all the difference in the first leg with his brace, so did CAPS United leading gunslinger Dominic Chungwa during the return match with his solitary strike. Interestingly, both strikers missed each of the two legs through suspension.
While CAPS United lost first teamers, Ronald Pfumbidzai (transfer) and Justice Jangano (suspension) for the home tie, Dynamos also suffered a similar fate when they missed Lincoln Zvasiya and Tichaona Chipunza (both suspension) when they played hosts.
In the end, it was a battle of tactical wits between two former midfielders – one crafty and the other gritty during their heydays – who once starred for the two respective teams they are now leading from the dugout and also share the first names. And it was Mutasa who got the wooden spoon in this duel between the two Lloyds as his second half shortcomings were exposed yet again.
So, where does the Harare Derby outcome take the remainder of both CAPS United and Dynamos’ campaigns?
It’s Game On, Play On!
Feedback:
Thank you to Dynamos and CAPS United for the good game; it was exciting and I was happy with the play. Our teams have shown they can now build passes from the back. It was great to see the solid defence of Makepekepe. DeMbare were great in the middle of the park. The fans behaved themselves and the referee was on top of the game. – Tawanda Mhlanga.
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May I convey my congratulations to CAPS United for winning the Harare Derby Part 2 on Sunday! Thank you Makepekepe for packing us into a corner. – Terrence Mwedzi
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Dynamos have shown they have a soul for the spirit of football – they do not need a 12th player to help them win games. Through this way, DeMbare have cleared themselves like the blue sky and anyone who wants to gain mileage by abusing their brand will stand alone as an outcast. For the love of the game, we should cheer the winners without berating the losers. – Richard Mahuhushe Chauke
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