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Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
CAPS United defender George Magariro is in no mood to see his former team Dynamos stealing the glory again when the teams clash in the Harare Derby at Rufaro tomorrow. For the past three seasons, Makepekepe have been playing in the shadows of their more successful city rivals and they have failed to win a competitive match against them since 2009.

As is the norm over the years, emotions have been rising in the build-up to the big game during the week, in which Dynamos have made a bold declaration that they will be out to maintain the status quo.

But there is a general feeling within the Green Machine camp that tables might turn tomorrow.
CAPS United have been enjoying a purple patch of late and their recent run of 10 games has given them the confidence boost they needed ahead of this crucial assignment.

Magariro, who crossed the floor to join the rival camp earlier in the season, yesterday said the Green Machine family is highly motivated.
Magariro was on the losing end when he faced his former team for the first time earlier in the year, when they went down 1-0 at the National Sports Stadium.

“This time it’s different. We all want to enhance our chances of winning the championship and this game is very important. We just don’t need to place ourselves under unnecessary pressure.

“The spirits are high in the camp and come Sunday, we are all looking forward to some positive results. Mentally, we are ready for the match and I would like to urge our supporters to rally behind the team.

“Matches of this magnitude are often difficult to predict how things will turn out but we would need to concentrate throughout the whole 90 minutes,” said Magariro.

The former DeMbare man might find his way back into the starting line-up following the suspension of fellow centreback Arnold Chivheya by the PSL for accumulating more three yellow cards.

However, CAPS United coaches Taurai Mangwiro and Saul Chaminuka have many options as they also have Steven Makatuka, Blessing Zabula and Tawanda Munyanduri, who can easily fit in.

The Green Machine are also counting a clean bill of health for most of their key players and should be looking to assemble a winning team from their squad of 30.

The last time the two teams met, the match ended in disappointing 1-0 defeat courtesy of a Devon Chafa penalty conversion.
More worryingly on that afternoon, both sides failed to rise to expected standards as they appeared to struggle under pressure associated with such encounters.

But their body language has pointed to something different this time.
CAPS United will be looking for inspiration from experienced players like Hardlife Zvirekwi, Rahman Kutsanzira, Dominic Chungwa, Tawanda Nyamandwe and captain Tapiwa Khumbuyani whose presence in the line-up could help calm some nerves.

Makepekepe will also be hoping that their young players will be able to handle the demands of this match. Newcomers to the Harare Derby like the exciting Benson Maglasi and youngsters Ronald Pfumbidzai and Tinotenda Muswe could also be given the chance on the big stage.

Pfumbidzai has already been exposed to this rivalry after featuring in the first leg in which he made a blunder that resulted in the penalty.
Inspirational goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube yesterday said the Green Machine were up for battle.

Dube, who has been in top form this season challenged his players to put behind them the disappointments they have suffered in the past against the champions.

“There is no need to panic because we are taking it like any other game. Of course, there is pressure coming from the hype surrounding this match but on my part, I don’t think it will be of any effect.

“I have played so many high-profile games and I know what to expect.
“We have been focusing our attention on this game the whole week, just like we do when playing any other team, and we only need to make sure that everyone is in the right mood.

“We are ready and from the look of things, we are all motivated to get a positive result,” said Dube.

Fixtures:

Today: Chicken Inn v Black Rhinos (Luveve), Tripple B v Hwange (Dulibadzimu), Shabanie Mine v Motor Action (Maglas)
Tomorrow: How Mine v Highlanders (Barboufields), Dynamos v CAPS United (Rufaro, SS9), Triangle v Harare City (Gibbo), FC Platinum v Monomotapa (Mandava),

Monday: Black Mambas v Buffaloes (Morris Depot, SS9)