TROUBLED Harare giants Caps United are relishing the challenge of facing their archrivals Dynamos when the two teams clash in the second instalment of a big Harare derby at Rufaro Stadium tomorrow.
The reverse fixture finished in a one-all stalemate after Dynamos took the lead early in the second half courtesy of a goal by Kelvin Moyo, before Ralph Kawondera found the equaliser late on for Caps United.
Since then, the two giants of Zimbabwe football have failed to impose themselves on the domestic scene as they both sit 19 points behind log leaders Simba Bhora with about six matches remaining in the league race.
They are both on 38 points, with DeMbare in seventh place on the log standings, while Caps United are eighth, but the former have played two less games than their rivals, who have played 28 matches so far.
“This is one of the biggest fixtures on the land and the expectation, even the hype, is very high because it is Dynamos vs Caps United. Of course Dynamos have been eliminated from the Confed Cup, but in the league, they have been doing very well and we also have doing very well, so it means this game is going to be very competitive,” said Caps United assistant coach Tonderai Marume.
“By virtue of the competitiveness of the match and the arch rivalry, we are prepared to make sure that at the end of the day Caps United will perform well and collect the desired results. We have done well in our preparation almost 90% of the players trained for the whole and we are geared up for the match on Sunday.
“If you look at the position that we are in on the log table, it is one team that we are in serious competition with. At the end of the day, each one of us will want to finish in a better position than each other, although they have games in hand.”
He added: “It is a good time to play this fixture because the two rivals are tied on points and they are also aiming to finish strong since we are both mathematically out of the title race.”
Caps United have failed to beat Dynamos in the league since their 1-0 victory in November 2019 and the latter have dominated this fixture, where last year they won a double.
In terms of current form, the Green Machine have failed to win in their last two matches after playing a one-all draw with Yadah FC last Sunday and losing away at Hwange in the previous encounter.
Dynamos, who came within 20 minutes of qualifying for the Caf Confederation Cup group stages before losing on penalties to Botswana side Orapa United, are currently on an eight-match unbeaten run.
Their coach Lloyd Chigowe is hoping his team will carry on from their win over Herentals last week.
“Our win (against Herentals) will lift our spirits going into the next game against (Caps United),” Chigowe said.
“There are no easy games for Dynamos. We just have to brace up and have our knives sharpened for the derby.
“We are aiming to play our last nine games as if our lives depend on them as well as defend the Chibuku Super Cup. Hopefully things will turn out well for us. If we win our games, we will be in the top four. We will take each game as it comes.”
Matchday 29 fixtures
Today: TelOne v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Ascot), Simba Bhora v Chicken Inn (Wadzanayi), Bulawayo Chiefs v Herentals (Luveve), Yadah v Arenel Movers (Heart), GreenFuel v Manica Diamonds (GreenFuel Arena)
Tomorrow: Chegutu Pirates v Bikita Minerals (Baobab), Dynamos v Caps United (Rufaro), Hwange v FC Platinum (Colliery), Highlanders v ZPC Kariba (Barbourfields)