THE Castle Lager Premier Soccer League blockbuster fixture featuring Caps United and Dynamos on Sunday will have many subplots in it. Henry Mhara/Kevin Mapasure
But the battle between Caps United defender George Magariro and Dynamos hitman Washington Pakamisa is likely to be the most intriguing.
Pakamisa is the football soundtrack in the country and no doubt his form and return of six goals in the last four games has spread unease not only to Caps, but the whole Premier Soccer League.
Magariro will be thrust into the role of stifling the born-and-bred Caps son Pakamisa, who was evicted from the Green Machine family during the off-season break. Both must be bitter over the manner they left their respective former clubs and this will be payback time.
Dynamos coach Kalisto Pasuwa decided Magariro had reached his best before date and discarded him into the bin, only for Taurai Mangwiro at Caps to find good use for the steady defender.
Both have points to prove never mind that they will not admit so, but this is a good opportunity for either to throw one blow back at their former employers.
Will it be a case of the ex for Caps with Pakamisa taking centre stage in their destruction? Or will it be Magariro turning off the Pakamisa heat?
Caps United captain Tapiwa Khumbuyani said Magariro’s experience at the back could help carry the day for the Green Machine in their mission to end a four-year dry spell against their bitter foes.
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“Magariro is an experienced player and he could face some flak from the DeMbare fans, but I think he will be able to deal with that,” said Khumbuyani. “He is an important player for us and we all have been working hard to make sure we get a result on Sunday. We have many new players in the team and this is an opportunity to showcase their talent on the biggest stage.”
Caps acquired, among others, striker Dominic Chungwa and exciting left-back Ronald Pfumbidzai from Division One.
Some of their new acquisitions include attacker Tawanda Nyamandwe, goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube and winger Tafadzwa Mahori.
All of them are likely to see action in the big Harare derby, but for Magariro it will be a first taste of the contest in the green corner.
While Khumbuyani was modest about their chances in the match, Dynamos captain Murape Murape said DeMbare wanted to provide further proof that they were better than their rivals.
“We want to beat them again and we do not want to leave any doubt that we are better than them,” said Murape. “We will do what we have been doing in the last four seasons, we will work hard, we will be positive and fight for one another the whole match. This has been our secret to beat them and we will do just that on Sunday.”
Murape tipped striker Pakamisa to continue on a purple patch to inflict misery on his former club.
“Pakamisa has been in this situation before when he played for Gunners against Caps and I think he will handle the situation. The game is motivation enough for him as he has got a point to prove. We are happy with his contribution so far and we hope he will continue scoring the goals.”
Both teams have positive news ahead of the match with the Glamour Boys boosted by the return of Murape.
The inspirational captain, who was suspended for Dynamos’ last match against Hwange last week for accumulating three yellow cards, chose to be with the fans and led the way in mobilising the support from the “Vietnam stand”.
Goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi, strikers Francesco Zikumbawire and Patrick Khumbula as well as midfielders Steven Alimenda and Tichaona Mabvura have returned from injury-forced layoffs.
On the other hand, Rahman Kutsanzira, Pride Tafirenyika, Hardlife Zvirekwi and Arnold Chivheya are all in contention for places at Caps United.
