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IT’S derby time in the capital once again!
Harare comes to a standstill once more, when two of the capital’s most popular soccer clubs Dynamos and Caps United face off in the semi-final of the 2008 ABC Super8 set for Rufaro Stadium, this afternoon. The two giants return to the battlefield to fight for a berth in the final of the $7 million (revalued) tournament, with their traditional rivalry making it a potential thriller that should fill Rufaro to the brim. Matches between the two giants have always generated so much heat within the football fraternity, with today’s clash dominating debate among fans as both teams are currently enjoying a purple patch. DeMbare have added a lot of admirers to their legion of supporters after playing some decent football in the 2008 CAF Champions League campaign, with United back to their former illustrious selves following last week’s 6-2 win over Masvingo United, in the quarterfinal of the SUP8R competition. Whilst Dynamos appear to be struggling in domestic competitions, the Glamour Boys are still a popular lot with their followers after a committed performance on the continent despite failing to translate their dominance into wins. Midfielder Justice Majabvi has dismissed accusations in some quarters that DeMbare are focusing more on the money-spinning Champions League, hence their lethargy in local competitions. "The level of football is very different when you want to compare the Champions League and local matches, and naturally the team is responding according to the level of the opposition," Majabvi said. "We are not being disrespectful at all to the local competition, and fans will see a committed Dynamos when we face Caps United on Sunday." The anchorman, who said their squad was all fit save for veteran linkman Desmond Maringwa who never trained the whole week, said it was important that DeMbare win against Caps to give the players a morale boost ahead of their glamour showdown against Egyptian giants Al Ahly set for Rufaro Stadium next Saturday at 2.30PM. "We have to win because we have unfinished business with Al Ahly, so the players need that morale booster," Majabvi said. "And we also have to think of the fans who have been so supportive it’s been incredible." But they face a United side desperate to convince their own supporters and critics the team still has what it takes to be counted among the giants of domestic football. Caps United coach Jostein Mathuthu told Standardsport yesterday he was going into today’s match without three of his first team players in Washington Pakamisa, Marvel Samaneka and Nyasha Mushekwi. "Washington, Marvel and Nyasha are definitely out of tomorrow’s tie, but I have to believe we have enough players who want to give their best for Caps United, so we should have enough cover in that regard," Mathuthu said. "It’s a derby, that is true, but still it is a game like any other. We will try to give our fans something to cheer about tomorrow." Dynamos struggled to edge Njube Sundowns 1-0 in their quarterfinal match to set up today’s clash, which has all the ingredients of a cracker. Dynamos chairman Partson Moyo — battling to lead Dynamos to both domestic and continental glory— has called upon club supporters to come in their numbers for support. "It has been quite hectic in the past couple of months, but I can say the boys have been responding well, and the fans have been equally supportive. But the battle is far from over, and fans should come in their numbers to support the team on Sunday, as well as next weekend when we face Al Ahly in the must-win match on Saturday," Moyo said. "We have to remember that Dynamos have to beat Ahly at any cost to stay in the hunt for a place in the Champions League semis, because any other result means qualification would no longer be in our hands but would depend on the outcome of the other clash between ASEC and Zamalek. We have to avoid this at any cost by beating Al Ahly." DeMbare are in danger of crashing out in the "quarterfinal" of the CAF Champions League, trailing Egyptian giants Al Ahly (7 points) and Zamalek (4 points) in third place (3 points), with ASEC Mimosas of Ivory Coast anchoring Group A on two points. Meanwhile, the Premier Soccer League has pegged entry charges of $50 for the cheapest ticket, $100 for the Upper Grand Stand and $300 for a VIP seat. By Lloyd Mutungamiri
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