A derby of goals

... has provided 13 years of nonstop goals

THE big Harare derby pitting traditional giants CAPS United and Dynamos is by a country mile the best xture on the local scene.

Not just in entertainment value, but also in producing goals.

Whenever they meet none of the two arch-rivals pulls any punches and one has to go back to November 2010 to nd the last time this xture ended in a goalless draw.

at is a massive 13 years of nonstop derby goals in this league xture, which translates to 43 goals in 21 matches during the period in question.

It is an average of more than two goals per match.

And today, the capital city is divided into two, the blue half and the green; the rivalry continues and more of the same is expected, that is goals.

Be ttingly so, it will be the rst match to be held at the National Sports Stadium since it was closed for refurbishment at the beginning of June.

Dynamos have won two of the last ve meetings between the two teams while CAPS United has one win and two other matches ended in a stalemate.

It will be the rst derby for DeMbare coach Genesis Mangombe yet he seems to perfectly understand the magnitude of this xture.

“In a derby, one needs to have character as always. Everyone is looking forward to this game, so it has a lot of pressure. It means a player needs to have a lot of character to do well, as well as try to minimise mistakes,” Mangombe said.

Mangombe, who welcomes mid eld hardman Tanaka Shandirwa from injury for the match, expressed excitement to have the match played in Harare.

“It's always good to play at home. We were playing our home matches in Bulawayo, which is far away from home. People in Harare have waited a long time to see their team and the type of football we are now playing. We will try our best to make sure

that everyone is happy on Sunday,” he said.

Currently, Dynamos are doing better than CAPS United in this league campaign with the former sitting in sixth place with 36 points from 22 matches with the latter 11th having amassed 27 points from 23 matches. Furthermore the Glamour Boys won the reverse xture in convincing fashion.

CAPS United will also be looking for their rst league win in eight matches and a derby victory could ignite their campaign. But the big Harare derby seldom has regard for the form books. Makepekepe skipper Tonderayi Mateyaunga, who used to play for Dynamos is relishing the tie as well as a win for his side.

“We know we have had a very bad patch, but what we are going to do is to try and change that when we face Dynamos,” the Green Machine goalkeeper said.

“It's good that we are back in Harare and we are going to play at home at the National Sports Stadium even though we are away in this game. It's also our homeground and we started our season well there. We hope when we face Dynamos, we will su ocate them with good football,” he added. Caps United are hoping veteran winger Phineas Bamusi passes a late tness test to impose himself as he has done before in the blockbuster encounter.

Apart from Shadirwa, goalkeeper Prince Ta remutsa returns to the squad in time for the derby after missing last week’s surprise 2-1 loss away to Bulawayo Chiefs.

Defender Donald Dzvinyai is still out although he has started light training.

Dynamos, who will be the home side today, have pegged the rest of the ground ticket at US$3 while the VIP and VVIP will fork out US$10 and US$15 respectively.

Today’s Fixtures

Black Rhinos v Manica Diamonds (Bata), Hwange v Highlanders (Colliery), Dynamos v Caps United (National Sports Stadium)