The Sunday Mail
FORGET the threat about them not fulfilling today’s tie in protest over the US$10 000 they are owed by the sponsors.
It could all be about mind games, actually!
Dynamos, who went into camp at midday yesterday, will be at the National Sports Stadium today to renew their rivalry with cross town rivals Caps United in a NetOne One Wallet Cup quarter final.
It’s the second meeting between the two side’s in a week following last Sunday’s heated 1-all draw.
DeMbare captain Partson Jaure is back in the country and is available for selection after his club and University of Pretoria failed to agree on a transfer fee while Makepekepe Malawian defender George Nyirenda has been cleared and should make his long awaited debut.
Bubbly Caps United believe Dynamos bowed out of the One Wallet Cup the moment the two team’s pairing was confirmed at the NetOne headquarters on Wednesday.
The team’s board member, Advocate Lewis Uriri, epitomised the confidence in the green corner, leaping to his left and reaching out to Dynamos chairman Kenny Mubaiwa, shaking his hand and saying: “Sorry, sorry you guys are out” as soon as the draw was confirmed.
On the other hand Dynamos insist Makepekepe were lucky to come out with a draw last weekend with referee Darlington Shonhiwa aiding their cause.
Today’s clash should settle matters.
There is no room for a draw as the match will go straight into penalties after a 90-minute deadlock. For Caps United, all eyes are on Gerald Phiri, whose super free kick ensured parity last weekend.
The Malawian import was the last man standing at his team’s final training session at the match venue on Friday.
He spent an extra half an hour perfecting his free kicks.
Makepekepe coach Taurai Mangwiro declares that his charges are ready to beat Dynamos for the second time in a cup competition this year, having dismissed them 1-0 in the ZNA Charity Shield back in May. “It’s a match with excitement written all over it, thanks to the resistance we have offered this season.
“We have already beaten them in the ZNA Charity Shield and we would want to go into next week’s league return leg high on confidence,” said Mangwiro, who will be missing FC Platinum bound striker Dominic Chungwa.
With their defensive worries solved, DeMbare are left with a midfield headache where they are clearly lacking the creative spark to aid Stephen Alimenda’s grit.
Devon Chafa has failed to sparkle just as Moses Muchenje has struggled in the same role for Caps United in front of the workaholic Tendai Samanja.
Dynamos team manager Richard Chihoro says the Glamour Boys are out to restore “normal service”.
“We are aware that Caps United will draw inspiration from last weekend’s draw but we won’t seat back and allow them that luxury, we are ready to show that we are the better team,” he said.
