The Sunday Mail
Stewart “Shutto” Murisa 18area.coms
Oh how I wish that my playing days were not over yet.
These are the types of matches that brought the best in me as well as my teammates at both Caps United and Dynamos. On days like these my mind quickly dashes back to the 1990s when I used to be one of the main actors in the fierce clashes between Makepekepe and DeMbare.
I played for both teams but I must concede that I had my best years at Caps United with whom I won the 1996 league title and the Soccer Star of the Year gong with.
What a year it was!
In my book the 1996 second round derby which ended 1-1 at Rufaro remains the best in terms of both the attendance and quality of play on the pitch.
It was so fierce that neither set of strikers was given any room to manouvre. Silver “Bhonzo” Chigwenje kept Tauya Murewa under lock and key and while I also couldn’t find a way past a steely Kaitano Tembo.
In the end the goals had to come from defenders and both were from free kicks. Not ordinary free kicks but special free kicks. Tembo opened the scoring for De- Mbare before Mpumelelo Dzowa pulled us level with a beautiful free kick that left Gift “Umbro” Muzadzi stranded.
To me, the Harare Derby remains the best fixture on the local soccer calendar. This fixture has created stars.
Who will forget the great Joe “Kode” Mugabe, Farai Mbidzo, Steven Chikodzi, George Mudiwa, Frank “The Dealer” Nyamukuta, Lloyd Chitembwe, myself and Alois Bunjira?
Tauya Murewa, Gift Muzadzi, Memory Mucherahowa, Lovemore “MaGents” Ncube, Bekhi Mlotshwa, Lloyd Mutasa, Kalisto Pasuwa and Claudius Zviripayi, to name just a few, were some of the leading lights at DeMbare.
Some people argue that the derby has lost its quality but I do not agree. Yes, there used to be a lot of hype back then as compared to these days but this game will always be a massive one.
During my playing days we wouldn’t walk freely in town during the derby week, we would keep ourselves secluded and focused on the upcoming game. People would talk about the derby two or three weeks before the day and on the pitch it was total war.
Sometimes blows would be exchanged on the pitch!
The hype has sort of died down a bit these days but I still believe the current crop of players has done well to keep the derby fire burning.
I think the fans are the ones to blame. They have not been playing their part. Back then, the stadium would be full to capacity by 1pm on derby day but these days supporters are staying away from the ground or coming to the game late.
Maybe they are no longer getting full value for money. Fans play a crucial role in a derby.
They can sway the tie in an instant with just a single song. We still have players at both De- Mbare and Makepekepe capable of giving fans full value for money although it’s unfortunate Ronnie (Pfumbidzai) isn’t here today.
However, in Tafadzwa “Fire” Rusike Caps United have an entertainer. Joel Ngodzo is also one player capable of lighting up the derby should he be given the chance.
Hardlife Zvirekwi and Steven Makatuka are real warriors. I have massive respect for this Cameroonian striker from Dynamos, Ntouba.
It will also be interesting to see how Ocean Mushure will fare because all eyes are on him. Before I sign out, I thought I should give you my combined squad from both Caps United and Dynamos from the 1990s cast.
I guess some will question my selection, especially the inclusion of myself and Alois Bunjira but I still believe we were the best striking combination of the 1990s.
Goalkeeper: Gift “Umbro” Muzadzi (Dynamos)
Defenders: Kalisto Pasuwa (Dynamos), Silver Chigwenje (Caps United), Kaitano Tembo (Dynamos), Claudius Zviripayi (Dynamos)
Midfielders: Joe Mugabe (Caps United), Memory Mucherahowa (Dynamos), Farai Mbidzo (Caps United), Lloyd Mutasa (Dynamos)
Strikers: Stewart Murisa (Caps United), Alois Bunjira (Caps United)
Subs: George Mudiwa (Caps United), Chamu Musanhu, (Dynamos) Tauya Murewa (Dynamos), Blessing Makunike (Caps United), Makwinji Soma Phiri (Dynamos), Lloyd Chitembwe (Caps United), Mpumelelo Dzowa (Caps United)
Shutto exits the scene!
Stewart Murisa is a former Caps United, Dynamos and Highlanders player. Currently he is working as a juniors coach.
