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Hardlife Zvirekwi

Grace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
CAPS United skipper Hardlife Zvirekwi says there has been a serious fight for places at the champions as they brace for the ultimate battle against Dynamos in the Harare Derby at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow.

The Warriors defender believes tomorrow’s match would be a tougher test for the champions and they need to respond accordingly. “Everyone wants to be in the team and have been working very hard wanting to be part and parcel of the team,” said Zvirekwi.

“This is as good as it gets and it raises the competition for places. “This Dynamos side have been on a purple patch. They have been winning and, so obviously, it raises the adrenalin ahead of the and we are expecting a very competitive match.

“It is a big game. We don’t want to play the occasion, we want to play our game and we don’t want to be overwhelmed by the Derby occasion and we are focusing more on our tactics and the way we want to play. “We will do our best. The guys will go in there and try get a positive result.”

The veteran fullback, who is equally at home on the right side of the midfield, has been telling his teammates, especially the young players, about the importance of playing well in such a game.

The team will feature some fresh faces in the Derby with the Green Machine strikeforce likely to feature newboys, Nigerian forward Abasirim Chidiebere and former Gunners striker John Zhuwawo.

However, the team will not be short on experience as they have veterans like Stephen Makatuka, Moses Muchenje, Edmore Sibanda and Zvirekwi. Midfielder Tafadzwa “Fire” Rusike is also firmly back in the team after struggling with injuries. “I have been telling the players that this is a very big game, it can make or break a career depending on the performance of the day.

“So, obviously, you have to really focus on the game and there is going to be a lot of pressure from all angles, the fans, the coaches, and even the players on the pitch. “You have to show character in these kind of fixtures,” he said.

Zvirekwi has also challenged the strikers who will feature on the day to carry on the weight of the attack in the absence of chief striker Dominic Chungwa who is serving a one-match suspension after accumulating three yellow cards.

“We have to encourage those guys that are likely to play and I think they are switched on to want to continue so that there can be continuity in the strikers’ department, so that they would be scoring goals, no matter who is playing on the day.”