The Sunday Mail
EVEN if the two teams play for a small piece of cake or a packet of maputi (roasted corn), Dynamos versus Caps United is always massive.
Dynamos stand-in skipper Ocean Mushure summed up the rivalry between Harare’s biggest teams during the week as the giants ramped up preparations for today’s ZNA Charities Soccer Shield semi-final clash at the National Sports.
“Chero tichitambira chigubhu chaicho (even if we play for a plastic bottle), Dynamos versus Caps United is always big,” Mushure said.
Caps United assistant coach Fungai Kwashi was a bit boisterous but appeared to admit that Dynamos are always dangerous opponents regardless of whatever circumstances.
“It’s war…they (Dynamos) want to kill us and we also want to kill them. It is Goliath v Goliath but we are ready for everything,” he said.
Kwashi was in charge of Caps United’s training sessions throughout the week while head coach Lloyd Chitembwe and first assistant Mark Mathe were attending a CAF A coaching course at ZIFA Village.
While Caps United are looking up, there is no doubt Dynamos are in a recession.
DeMbare lost four key players during the offseason, axed four seasoned players on disciplinary grounds and they are desperate to win back the trust of doubting fans.
And Mutasa is now attempting “another Kiglon” in his latest mandate to rebuild DeMbare who finished fifth in 2016 – their worst position in a decade.
Back in 2011, after his first appointment, Mutasa entrusted a group of virtually unknown players he had previously worked with at relegated Kiglon and in the process laid the foundation for a team that went on to win four straight league titles under his successor Kalisto Pasuwa.
Denver Mukamba, Devon Chafa, Gift Bello and Thomas Magorimbo are some of the players he introduced back then.
Six years later, Mutasa finds himself in similar circumstances.
And he believes he has once again unearthed gems capable of propelling Dynamos back to the top “where we belong.”
“We have talked about the new talent and this (Caps match) is the time to give our fans a glimpse,” Mutasa told The Sunday Mail.
The former Whawha duo of defensive linkman Gift Saunyama (23) and attacking player Cleopas Kapupurika (21) are some of the new players expected to form the core at DeMbare this season.
Skilful Valentine Kadonzo (20), linkman Kudzanai Dhenere (17) and central midfielder Tatenda Muringani (17) are the other youthful players now at DeMbare.
Kadonzo had a short stint with Northern Region Division One side DSTV Rangers, before joining Dynamos after the closure of the midseason window last year.
Dhenere is coming up from the juniors while Muringani was part of the national Under 17 team that won gold after beating Angola in the final of the African Union Sports Council Region Five Under-20 Youth Games in Luanda last December.
“I am sure history will repeat itself and I am looking forward to the repeat of another Kiglon project.
“Sometimes as coaches we are also employed to make stars,” said Mutasa who also explained his love for young talent.
“These youngsters know there is a future ahead of them so they tend to be attentive and they keep learning.
“On the contrary, senior players develop complacency as they grow into stars. They get into a comfort zone and stop fighting.”
Mutasa axed four senior players – Roderick Mutuma, Stephen Alimenda, Sydney Linyama and Jacob Muzokomba – at the beginning of pre-season and intends to rebuild the team around 2012 Soccer Star of the Year Denver Mukamba.
He also lost Tatenda Mkuruva (Cape Town City), Dominic Mukandi and Godknows Murwira (Ngezi Platinum Stars) as well as Brett Amidu who joined FC Platinum.
“We still have influential players like Elisha Muroiwa, Obey (Mwerahari) and Ocean Mushure.
“So expect a strong team on Sunday (today). It might be an off-season game but the fact that we are playing Caps United, the reigning champions, makes it more interesting.”
On the contrary, Caps United are oozing with confidence after booking a berth in the CAF Champions League first round.
A cast that has on fire Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo, Phineas Bamusi, Joel Ngodzo and Devon Chafa will make anyone scared.
Makepekepe have the ammunition and on paper they are favourites to strike the first blow.
The winner will play either Highlanders or FC Platinum in the final for the $12 000 stake.
A ticket for the rest of the ground is going for $3.
