The Sunday Mail
Don Makanyanga
Sports Reporter
BORN to Takesure Wadi, a late staunch CAPS United supporter, playing in the famous Harare derby has always been a dream for the Green Machine’s new acquisition, Ishmael Wadi.
And today the 28-year-old striker is set to fulfil his childhood dream of playing in the derby.
He is also confident that his father “will be smiling from the heavens as his wishes will also be fulfilled’’.
The late Takesure Wadi is said to have always wished to see his son, who has previously seen duty with FC Platinum and Harare City, play for his favourite team and especially in a clash against Dynamos.
Today, both father and son’s wishes will come to pass as CAPS United host Dynamos in the Chibuku Super Cup match at the National Sports Stadium.
It is the first meeting between the Harare giants since November 24, 2019.
“It’s a good experience to play in a derby. Every player wants to play in a derby, (and) this is going to be a good experience for me as a player.
“Being at CAPS United means a lot to me; it was my childhood dream to play for this team because my late father was a staunch CAPS supporter.
“Before passing on, it was his wish to see me playing in the derby, so playing against Dynamos will be a double achievement for me. Above all, I want to make my father proud by doing well in this match,” he said.
Ishmael got his CAPS career off to a fine start, bagging three goals in as many matches.
But the real test is always against fellow giants and biggest rivals like Dynamos and Highlanders.
He has, however, chosen to play down the significance of today’s match.
“To me, this is not a test, I will treat the game as a normal game and as a forward, I am expected to score goals to help my team get maximum points.
“I admit, there is a lot of pressure going into this game considering the calibre of the match, but there is no big difference with the other matches that we have played, so we will go into the match expecting to get maximum points and nothing else,” said Wadi.
Only two points separate Dynamos (with seven points) and CAPS United at the top of Group One, and Makepekepe gaffer Darlington Dodo will hope to repeat the result of their last meeting, in which his side triumphed.
“It is a derby, yes, and we respect that, but what we are aiming for in this match are maximum points, just like we have done in our previous matches and the games to come,” said Dodo.
Having watched his side conceding in almost every match of the tournament, he had to dedicate much of his training to plug the defensive loopholes.
“We have conceded three goals in open play and the other goal from a penalty, something which was worrying, because if we are going to avoid conceding with the way we are scoring, then we are poised for more wins.
“We have been working on that area and I am glad with the progress that the boys have been making throughout the week,” said Dodo.
The absence of fans has also not escaped Dodo’s attention, but he reckons his charges have adjusted to playing before an empty stadium.
“Playing Dynamos is a game that you always take seriously, no matter where or what the circumstances are.
“It’s a game that we have to go into with the right frame of mind. Supporters would have added value in terms of cheering and motivating the boys.”
