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Brenna Msiska

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
AFTER years of tense and often dull encounters, CAPS United goalkeepers’ coach Brenna Msiska believes football supporters should get full value for their money when his side clash with old enemies Dynamos in the 71st Harare Premiership Derby at Rufaro on Sunday.
Msiska has featured in many high-profile encounters between the two Harare giants both as player and member of the technical crew.
Although the quality of the domestic game has been brought into question with the Battle of the Cities clash between CAPS United and Highlanders at the National Sports Stadium failing to live up to its billing, Msiska reckoned yesterday that it could be a different script this time around when DeMbare and Makepekepe face off in a top-of-the-table clash.

The former Warriors goalkeeper felt the Derby showdown had come at the right moment when both teams are on top of their game in the Premiership race.

There is so much hype surrounding the match and Msiska challenged players from the two camps to rekindle the spirit of the long-standing rivalry that exists between their clubs by raising the gear and spice up this Harare Derby, which has apparently lost its soul in recent years.

CAPS United have been playing in the shadows of their more successful rivals whom they have not beaten since 2009.
But with last week’s 3-0 thrashing of lowly Tripple B, which helped them stretch their unbeaten run to 10 games inside four months, it is easy to understand why the Green Machine and their legion of fans are high on confidence this time.

Msiska yesterday said Makepekepe would be seeking to turn the tables on their rivals to enhance their chances in the title race, as they are lurking on fourth place on the log standings, three points off the pace.

Dynamos are currently at the top of the table with 38 points, while CAPS United are fourth on 35, with just 10 games remaining.
But it is the quality of the match that Msiska, who has often had an on-off relationship with CAPS United, is praying for and yesterday he challenged both sets of players to roll back the hands of time when Rufaro would be full by midday as fans eagerly awaited the biggest Premiership match in the capital.

“Matches between the two teams have a rich history and I long to see these Derbies taking us back into time when everyone enjoyed football for its beauty, whether you win or you lose.

“As a technical team, I think we are doing our best to get the guys ready for this match. It’s a game that everyone has been waiting for because of the history behind the rivalry.

“It’s the platform where the players should display great team spirit and that is also when new stars are born. Winning or losing against Dynamos always means a lot.

“On our part, we would want to make our fans happy by continuing to deliver good results on the pitch. Right now we are enjoying a good spell and we are praying to God that it stays like that.

“I urge our fans to come in numbers so that we match our opponents both on the terraces and on the field of play.
“In fact, this game has come at a good time and fans from both sides should get full value for their money. At the same time, they should also be prepared to accept the result because we cannot all win at once,” Msiska said.

The last meeting between the teams ended in a 1-0 defeat for Makepekepe courtesy of Devon Chafa’s penalty conversion which made all the difference in a close contest at the National Sports Stadium.

Makepekepe were also on the receiving end last season, after succumbing to a 1-0 defeat in the first leg and then another 3-0 hiding in the reverse tie.

“I think it was one-sided last year, because as CAPS United, we were not in the right frame as things were not going well for us on and off the pitch. But God is smiling on us this year. Judging by the form of both teams, I foresee an exciting and close encounter which can go either way.

“But if we play as much as we did in the first leg and try to minimise mistakes, there are greater chances of winning it,” said Msiska.
There is no great inspiration for the Green Machine as the Derby has come at a time when they are on the rise under the mentorship of shrewd tacticians Taurai Mangwir, Saul Chaminuka and Msiska.

Apart from in-form defender Arnold Chivheya, who has been ruled out through suspension, Makepekepe are expecting most of their key players to be available for the big game, barring injuries during the week.

One name that could have also been considered because of his vast experience is Leonard Tsipa, who was re-engaged by the Green Machine this year. But the veteran forward has reportedly gone AWOL and has not been reporting for duty in the last month.

Tsipa, who had been loaned to Division One side Masvingo United at the beginning of the season has not played a competitive match since his return in July and his fitness has been a subject of debate.

“I cannot comment much on Leonard’s absence. It’s been three weeks or so and what we know is that he had an injury when he last reported for training. Of course, his experience is vital but it was not going to be automatic that he would feature in the Derby even if he was fit. Just like all the players, he had to fight for his place in the line-up,” said Msiska

Whether the two teams will serve a tasty Derby dish remains to be seen but there is no doubting that the feeling among their demanding fans is that it could be a defining moment for the championship marathon with a victory for the Green Machine certain to blow the race wide open while Callisto Pasuwa’s men could create some breathing space from their old enemies if they triumph.
Fixtures:
Saturday: Chicken Inn v Black Rhinos (Luveve), Tripple B v Hwange (Dulibadzimu), Shabanie Mine v Motor Action (Maglas)
Sunday: 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)