Caps United coach Moses Chunga Friday insisted that Dynamos is where his heart lies, but he was still determined to clobber his old club when the Green Machine trades blows with bitter rivals Dynamos in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League derby at the National Sports Stadium Sunday.
It will be the 67th time that the two teams will battle it out since 1980.
What makes this match so appealing is the fact that Caps have since roped in former DeMbare midfield maestro Chunga as their mentor and former blue half striker Evans Gwekwerere.
Chunga said: “I don’t know why people make this an issue. When Caps United approached me, they knew what value I would add to their club and that value includes beating Dynamos.
“People should appreciate that I’m a professional. I’m at work here and I know my objectives. I’m here to do what my bosses at Caps pay me to do. I will do it without fear or favour.
“People have been talking that I might get fired if I lose to Dynamos, but I’m not under any pressure at all. Anyway, everyone in the world is under pressure to survive, but the most important thing is how you can handle it.”
On Caps supporters: “It’s up to them to judge me, but it becomes a problem when they want to be my judge and jury at the same time. Like I have said before, they should understand that I’m a professional. I made a name at Dynamos and my heart will always be at Dynamos, but my bread is buttered at Caps United.”
One man who will also fall under the spotlight is Gwekwerere, who is set to play in his first competitive match against a team he dumped last year.
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Gwekwerere opened the scoring for the Green Machine when the two rivals met in a pre-season friendly match at Rufaro Stadium early this year, but Caps lost that match 3-2.
The striker will definitely be under pressure from the Dynamos supporters who feel betrayed by the man who they used to adore with passion. But he is out to prove otherwise.
“I know they will do things to frustrate me. They will boo me, but I’m not under pressure at all. As much as I love Dynamos because that is where I made my name, they should understand that I’m at work here.
I will just do what I’m employed to do here — to score goals,” said Gwekwerere.
On the other side of the city, Dynamos received a big boost ahead of the big match with the news that talisman Archford Gutu might be fit for the showdown.
Dynamos coach Lloyd Mutasa, who has been under media scrutiny following his team’s indifferent form of late, refused to talk to NewsDay Sport while his assistant Masimba Dinyero referred questions to team manager Richard Chihoro.
It is now clear that the pressure that comes with coaching a big club like Dynamos is now weighing heavily on the technical team who all came from lowly Kiglon Bird.
Chihoro said: “Gutu trained with the team today (yesterday). Although he said he was feeling a slight pain, I think he will be ready for the match. He has told us that he wants to play in the match and we will continue to assess his condition. There are still two days for him to fully recover and it is our hope that he will be fully fit on Sunday (tomorrow),” said Chihoro.
Gutu has become an intergral part of the Dynamos squad of 2011 and his growing status is such that whenever he is not available, the team struggles.
