The big Harare derby featuring two of the country’s fiercest rivals, CAPS United and Dynamos, may have lost its lustre in the recent past but has always delivered in terms of goal entertainment.
This is a fixture which has managed to produce a goal in the league for the past 14 years, since the goalless draw back in November 2010.
No less than 23 matches have been played since then and each one of them has provided at least a goal with 46 goal celebrations having been made at an average of two per game.
A goal in today’s potentially explosive encounter at Rufaro will bring the tally to 24 consecutive scoring derbies.
But in recent years the two giants have struggled to impose themselves on the domestic scene as a new breed of teams from the mining industry is taking turns to rule the roost.
With about six matches remaining in the season, CAPS United sat in eighth place and Dynamos in seventh with 38 points although the former has played 28 matches and the latter 26.
However, the excitement surrounding this match is seldom taken in the context of the league rankings but the general fight for the capital city’s bragging rights.
“This is one of the biggest fixtures on the land and the expectation, even the hype, is very high because it's Dynamos vs CAPS United. 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,” CAPS United assistant coach Tonderai Marume said.
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“If you look at the position that we are in on the log table, it's 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
“It’s 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,” added.
Pressure is certainly on CAPS United because they failed to beat their rivals since 2019, that is a period of five years in which they have met five times with Dynamos claiming three wins including a double last year.
The league’s top scorer Williams Manondo is looking to lead his side to a first league win over Dynamos in five years after winning the September Player of the Month accolade on Friday.
"This recognition motivates me to perform even better. I'm eager to lead the team to victory against Dynamos on Sunday. This nomination isn't just about me; it's about the team's collective effort. We're focused on securing maximum points on Sunday," he said.
The reverse fixture finished in a 1–1 stalemate back in May.
Makepekepe have failed to win in their last two matches while DeMbare are on an eight-match unbeaten run in the league and current coach Lloyd Chigowe is yet to lose a match since taking over the reins from Genesis Mangombe a couple of months ago.
Their coach Lloyd Chigowe is hoping his team will carry on from their win over Herentals last week.
Chigowe feels that there are no easy games for the Glamour Boys in this league.
“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,” he said last week.
The gate charges for the encounter are US5 for the rest of the ground while fans will fork out US$10 and US$ 20 for VIP and VVIP stands.
Today’s fixtures
Chegutu Pirates v Bikita Minerals (Baobab), Dynamos v Caps United (Rufaro), Hwange v FC Platinum (Colliery), Highlanders v ZPC Kariba (Barbourfields)
