The Sunday Mail
TWELVE YEARS ago, on Sunday May 9, 2004, Leonard Tsipa scored Caps United’s opener after only five minutes before Ashley Rambanapasi sealed the 52nd Harare Derby 2-1 victory over Dynamos at Rufaro.
Kudzai Nyamupfukudza was only nine then, playing for Mbizi Primary School in Harare’s high density suburb of Highfield.
Today Tsipa, now 34, will share the same dressing room with Nyamupfukudza, the highly rated young defensive linkman.
It’s an experience that the 21-year old Nyamupfukudza is looking forward to.
“It’s a dream come true for me,” he said.
“I have always wanted to be part of such huge games and being there with a legend like Lenso (Tsipa) to give you direction is just amazing.
“The seniors have told me these are the games that can make or break your career. I am not scared, I believe this a chance to show what I can do.”
Caps United have not beaten Dynamos in a league match since April 13, 2009 when they won 2-0 at Rufaro.
It’s a statistic that pains Tsipa.
“It hurts. Our supporters are hurt, they are ridiculed in the streets by Dynamos fans.
“We have not won against our rivals in seven years and yet we used to be the dominant force in the Harare Derby.
“Losing to Dynamos gets me so emotional, very upset. I learnt from my seniors when I was only 10 that we must not lose to Dynamos.
“We have to go back to the Caps United of old, the Green Machine that used to dominate Dynamos and won back to back league titles in 2004 and 2005,” roared Tsipa.
The veteran forward is expected to play some part at Rufaro this afternoon and will not mind if he starts from the bench.
“This is all about Caps United, about the ultimate prize which is winning the league title, and not about Tsipa,” he said.
“Derbies are not about individual glory, it is all about the pride of the team.
If I am on the bench because the other player who plays in my position is better that week, then that is it.
“Each and every player who is given a chance by the coach on Sunday (today) should give his all. I believe in this current group of players, they have what it takes to beat DeMbare.”
