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Eddie Chikamhi-Senior Sports Reporter

CAPS United might be going through one of their worst episodes in topflight football but the Green Machine have vowed to put their woes behind them when they face old foes Dynamos in the latest instalment of the Harare Derby this Sunday.

The blockbuster clash at the National Sports Stadium is set to mark the return of topflight football in Harare after three months of non-activity due to the bad state of the stadiums.

The game, however, comes at a time the two teams have been experiencing contrasting fortunes, with Makepekepe much closer to the relegation zone while DeMbare are still fancying their chance on the league title.

CAPS United assistant coach Fungai “Tostao” Kwashi yesterday predicted a highly contested game despite his team going through a lean patch that has seen them failing to win a game in their last eight outings.  

Kwashi hinted Makepekepe are preparing hard to rise to the stage and warned the Glamour Boys against underestimating his team. 

“It’s going to be a great game,” he said. 

“it’s going to be explosive, it’s going to be a humdinger and I hope the fans get their due rewards from both sets of teams. 

“I hope everyone comes to the party but obviously the Green Machine is going to win. We are confident of ourselves and we want to make it a good return to the capital.” 

But Makepekepe will need to put in extra shift to match the young DeMbare guns who completely outclassed them in the reverse fixture at the same venue on April 30. 

Donald Mudadi and Jayden Bakari were on target in that game. Makepekepe’s form has taken a nosedive, especially in the second half of the season, that even the diehards among their supporters have now lost hope in the season.  

They have not won a match in over two months, since the 2-0 win over GreenFuel at Bata on July 15. Head-to-head statistics show they last beat Dynamos in 2019. 

But following their descent fight in the last game against Chicken Inn in which they drew 1-1, Kwashi believes the Green Machine can still turn the tables on DeMbare.

“Derbies are not about form but who wants it more on the day,” he said. 

“The team which works harder on the day, the team which runs harder, whoever is hungrier between the two sets of teams will eventually win the Derby. 

“So, at the end of the day it’s not about the form, the form book is thrown out of the window when it comes to Derbies. It’s a once-off game, it’s a life-changing experience for any individual. 

“Footballers love to play in Derbies; the Liverpool Derby, the Manchester Derby, the Soweto Derby and this is the Harare Derby, probably the biggest game in Zimbabwean football. So, it’s going to be a lovely game to watch,” said Kwashi.

The football clash, which ranks among the biggest domestic football rivalries in the country, has been set for the National Sports Stadium, much to the joy of the supporters from both sets of teams. Kwashi is also hoping this could also bring about a change of fortunes for his struggling team. 

“It’s good football is back in the capital. Supporters had been starved of PSL football for the past few months, so the whole city is buzzing. Everybody wants to come to the Derby on Sunday,” said Kwashi.

Fixtures

Tomorrow: GreenFuel v Simba Bhora (GreenFuel Arena), FC Platinum v Herentals (Mandava), Chicken Inn v Triangle (Luveve), Yadah v Bulawayo Chiefs (Baobab), ZPC Kariba v Ngezi Platinum (Nyamhunga), Sheasham v Cranborne Bullets (Bata)

Sunday: Black Rhinos v Manica Diamonds (Bata), Dynamos v CAPS United (NSS), Hwange v Highlanders (Colliery)