Gutu ready for Harare Derby READY TO RUMBLE . . . CAPS United midfielder Archieford Gutu (right), his teammates Tafadzwa Rusike (second from left) and Allan Gahadzikwa listen attentively as the club’s assistant coach, Fungai Tostao Kwashi (left), barks out some instructions during their training session at Barclays Sports Club ahead of Sunday’s Harare Derby against old enemies Dynamos at Rufaro
READY TO RUMBLE . . . CAPS United midfielder Archieford Gutu (right), his teammates Tafadzwa Rusike (second from left) and Allan Gahadzikwa listen attentively as the club’s assistant coach, Fungai Tostao Kwashi (left), barks out some instructions during their training session at Barclays Sports Club ahead of Sunday’s Harare Derby against old enemies Dynamos at Rufaro

READY TO RUMBLE . . . CAPS United midfielder Archieford Gutu (right), his teammates Tafadzwa Rusike (second from left) and Allan Gahadzikwa listen attentively as the club’s assistant coach, Fungai Tostao Kwashi (left), barks out some instructions during their training session at Barclays Sports Club ahead of Sunday’s Harare Derby against old enemies Dynamos at Rufaro

Grace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
CAPS United midfielder Archieford Gutu says he has put behind the ordeal which saw him spend time in police custody and appearing in court on assault charges last week and is ready to fight for a place in the team for Sunday’s Castle Lager Premiership soccer blockbuster against Dynamos at Rufaro.

Gutu, together with team captain Method Mwanjali, had a brush with the law after they were involved in an altercation which left a Harare man injured in the early hours of April 17.

The midfielder, who allegedly smashed the windscreen of the victim’s car, spent two nights in police cells and is awaiting his day in court after he was remanded out of custody on a $100 bail charged with malicious damage to property.

Mwanjali, who also trained with the team yesterday, was only freed on bail by the High Court on Monday after he was initially charged with attempted murder and spent a week in police cells.

His release coincided with his 33rd birthday and yesterday he joined his teammates as they trained twice at Barclays Sports Club in Harare.

Gutu said what happened is now water under the bridge and he is now focusing on the clash against his former club, Dynamos.

“I am prepared (for Sunday’s match). I have put whatever happened to me last week behind me, so like I said, I am looking forward to the game. I’m not thinking about what happened, no. That’s all I can say.

“We have a big game (coming up), so my mind is on the game. I am working hard to get selected and play the game,” said Gutu.

The former Dynamos midfielder is yet to get a first team place in the CAPS United XI. He only played in the club’s second league match away in Ngezi, where he came on as second half substitute.

For a player who illuminated the previous Harare derbies during his stint at Dynamos in 2011 before leaving for Swedish top-flight club Kalmar, Gutu is itching to have that bite of the cherry again in CAPS United’s colours.

“All I can say is, it is a good feeling of course to play against Dynamos. When I was at Dynamos I was always geared to play against CAPS United because it is a big game.

“The whole nation is looking at the game and everyone else is excited about the game, so us as players at the club, we all want to play the game but for you to play you have to work hard and get selected to play.

“I am not emotional at all. I know it is my former team, I played for them before and now I am at CAPS United, so my mind is at CAPS United and working hard to get results for CAPS United on Sunday,” Gutu said.

The former Sprouting and CAPS FC midfielder declared everyone at Makepekepe is ready for the Harare Derby.

“I cannot say it is easy at CAPS United, there is stuff you know, the fans, all the people, the media, you guys, but I think I can handle it, I am strong. My mindset is strong, now I think I can face it.

“Everyone is ready, everyone is geared up for the game. It is a big game like I said and everyone would be on a hundred plus percent ready, so I think we are now all ready for Sunday,” he said.

All the pre-match odds seem to favour CAPS United, who have begun this season brightly compared to their bitter rivals, but the former Dynamos midfielder says that doesn’t count for much as teams always raise their game when playing in derby matches.

“Dynamos may not be doing well against these other teams but when it comes to CAPS United it is going to be a different game.

“I think it (the presence of foreign coach Paulo Silva) will spice the derby as it is his first. I hope it is going to be an entertaining game and the best team is going to win, which is us, because we are working towards it,” said Gutu.

Yesterday, former CAPS United assistant coach Kennedy Nagoli, who is also Lloyd Chitembwe’s friend, was at yesterday’s training session assisting the players with their drills. The club’s spokesperson, who is also board member responsible for marketing, Alois Bunjira, said they have not engaged Nagoli.

“Chitembwe sometimes invites a coach he feels can best assist players with a certain drill and that is the position with his presence here today.

“As for what the future holds for him, I wouldn’t know but at the moment that is the position,” said Bunjira.

You Might Also Like

Comments

Take our Survey

We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey