THE 70th Harare Derby between Caps United and Dynamos at the National Sports Stadium has provided the perfect opportunity for fans from both sides to smoke the peace pipe. The match, to be beamed live on Supersport 9, will kick-off at 1400hrs.
REPORT BY HENRY MHARA
Of late, there has been untold violence and the league’s chiefs have promised to come down hard on the perpetrators. Highlanders were fined $8 000 for the Shabanie Mine match and the latter are likely to receive a similar fine for the abandoned Harare City clash.
Both Dynamos and Highlanders are facing $8 000 fines for their April 21 match at Rufaro. While matches between the two Harare sides have been largely peaceful, fans are not taking anything for granted and league sponsors Delta Beverages, through their Castle Lager brand, will be watching with keen interest for cases of “brand damage”.
With this in mind, a group of Dynamos and Caps United supporters have organised a pre-match get together for both sets of fans to shun violence at the match venue.
The event will take place at Hilltop Tavern in Warren Park.
Washington Makona, a Caps United supporter who is part of the organising committee for the event said: “There are a lot of activities lined up on the day. We will have fun competitions between Caps United and Dynamos supporters which will start in the morning on Sunday.
“That will include singing, eating, dancing and best dressed competitions between the supporters. We will also have a mini soccer match which will be played between the Dynamos and Caps United supporters.
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“After that we will do a procession to the National Sports Stadium as one big family. We are also intending to have an after-party for the supporters from both teams after the match irrespective of the result of the day.”
Alvin Zhakata, a staunch Dynamos supporter said: “We are getting worried with the incidences of violence that continue to be recorded across the country. We are saying this has to stop now.
“There have been no incidents at matches involving Dynamos and Caps United matches, but we felt that as two of the big teams in the league we should lead in promoting peace after what has been happening in the league.”
Zhakata added “We want to create a culture where women and children should feel free to come to the stadium and watch soccer without fear of being attacked by rival fans. This is happening in South Africa where supporters of Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates can go and watch a soccer match together; we can also do the same here.”
The two bitter rivals are tied on 15 points although Dynamos are better placed on the log table due to a better goal difference, making this match a must-win for both sides.
Besides the three points, there is the local bragging rights, pride and a revenge on the agenda. Dynamos have strikers Washington Pakamisa and Clive Kawinga, who were axed at Caps United last season while their opponent on Sunday have defender George Magariro who was also deemed excess baggage by the Glamour Boys.
These players must be bitter in the manner they left their respective former clubs and this will be payback time.
