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THE BIG ONE MISSING . . . CAPS United central defender Stephen Makatuka, who is ineligible for tomorrow’s Harare Derby, goes in for a crunching tackle as he tries to stop tricky Dynamos midfielder Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo during the NetOne OneWallet Cup quarter-final tie at the National Sports Stadium last Sunday. – (Picture by Tawanda Mudimu)

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter—
CAPS United coach Taurai Mangwiro says his team is looking for heroes to rise and shine as the Green Machine eyes the end of a five-year dominance by old rivals Dynamos. As has been the case in all their meetings this year, expectations are high in the Green Machine camp despite losing to the arch-rivals last week in the quarter-finals of the NetOne OneWallet Cup last Sunday.

The teams are clashing for the third time in succession tomorrow at the National Sports Stadium with the first league meeting having ended in a 1-1 stalemate at the same venue two weeks ago.

The Green Machine have dedicated most of their time to working on their shortcomings this week as they hope to rally back from last Sunday’s 1-0 defeat.
The derby has been competitive this year, unlike in previous seasons when CAPS United failed to offer a strong challenge and were bullied into submission.
Makepekepe set the tone when they edged Dynamos 1-0 in the pre-season ZNA Charities match, and the confidence from that match has kept them going.

“We would want to do well. We feel luck hasn’t been on our side but I just want to believe this time around we will be smiling at the end of the 90 minutes,” said Mangwiro.
“We are looking forward to that match with a very positive mind, no fear whatsoever. Let’s just hope it will be our day.

“I am not losing hope, I am continuing to work with the boys and, hopefully, they will be able to deliver.
“I don’t want to be looking at just the Dynamos match because what is there for us is just three points and let’s look at the remainder of the season at large. That’s how we should be approaching our matches.”

Makepekepe, just like their opponents Dynamos, have been hit by injuries and might have to go to battle without their captain Tapiwa Kumbuyani, who was battling to regain full fitness.

David Chipala is also down with injury while fellow centre-back Steven Makatuka has been suspended.
Striker Donald Chungwa, who missed last week’s clash, was also racing against time to make the team.
Mangwiro, however, was not daunted.

Their defence has been dealt a heavy blow with the injuries and the suspension and Mangwiro will have to juggle with players such as Dominic Mukandi, George Nyirenda and even Hardlife Zvirekwi to steady the ship at the rear.

They were still hoping to finalise talks for their two targets Nicholas Alifandika and Honey Chimutimunzeve, who have been earmarked to arrive during this mid-season transfer period.

“You would want to go in there with the strongest possible pool but I believe in grabbing opportunities and I feel it’s up to the guys that will come in to replace these guys to grab the chance.

“I have always been stressing to the boys that you are not here to make up numbers. It’s in games like these where stars can be born.
“One can become a hero by putting on a solid show, helping CAPS United overcome the team that has dominated us for quite some time now. You will be remembered for being part of that crew that would have ended the jinx.

“To be honest conversion has been our biggest challenge and all we are doing this week is dedicating most of our time to finishing exercises. I hope this time around, once we create, we will be able to convert,” said Mangwiro.

DeMbare are facing the same challenges, especially in defence, with the departure of Partson Jaure, who was key in this already depleted department.
It has also emerged their new signing Elisha Muroiwa might delay his first appearance as his clearance only allows him to start playing for his new team after August 1.

The Glamour Boys coach Callisto Pasuwa said he was facing a dilemma in his defence following the knee injury to roving leftback Ocean Mushure during training yesterday, which effectively ruled the former Monomotapa man out of tomorrow’s showdown.

Mushure joins Masimba Mambare, Tafadzwa Rusike, Anesu Gondo and Sydney Linyama, who have been long-term casualties.
“We really have a problem before us because now Ocean is ruled out of the game because of a knee injury.

“We were also hoping to have the young man from Twalumba but the clearance letter from his club states that he can only start playing for us from 1 August.
“Farai Mupasiri is also out. He says he has migraine headache. So we now have to juggle around with the players we have and possibly bring in Thomas Magorimbo back in defence.

“It is a tough time but we hope that between now and Sunday we do not lose more players,’’ Pasuwa said.
Team manager Richard Chihoro, however, remained upbeat about their chances.
Chihoro said most of their injured players have since started training but concerns about their match fitness remain high.

He said they are looking to maintain their dominance over Makepekepe.
“It’s always tricky facing the same opponents in three consecutive games but morale is high in the camp and we are looking forward to a good game.
“We drew the first game and then we beat them in the second. So we expect our opponents to come back much stronger. It promises to be a high tempo game because we all want to win it.

“We have been telling our players that complacency can be our big enemy.
“Of course, we beat CAPS United in the last game but this is a new game. We need to be up for it,” said Chihoro.