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NewsDay

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Fireworks expected at 71st Harare derby

Sport
THE 7Ist edition of the Harare derby, the flagship fixture of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, explodes this weekend.

THE 7Ist edition of the Harare derby, the flagship fixture of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, explodes this weekend.

Tawanda Tafirenyika

Dynamos will host Caps United at Rufaro Stadium in the capital, with both integrity and pride at stake.

Caps United have not defeated their eternal rivals since way back in April 2009 when a Nyasha Mushekwi double powered the Green Machine to a deserved victory.

The closest Caps United have come in their bid to outshine their bitter rivals in more than three years was a 0-0 draw achieved in 2010.

Already this season, the Green Machine have capitulated once again with Devon Chafa, who will miss the 71st edition of the biggest game in the league following his suspension by world soccer governing body Fifa for testing positive to a prohibited substance, deciding the contest with a penalty conversion at the National Sports Stadium in the reverse fixture.

Despite the contest producing at least a goal, the encounter was so dull it failed to live up to its billing as the biggest game in the league.

But with both teams enjoying top form and also vying for the championship, sparks are certain to fly at Rufaro and those who will get the opportunity to witness the contest should expect value for their monies.

United, now under the guidance of Taurai Mangwiro, are coming from a morale-boosting victory over Tripple B which lifted them to fourth position with 35 points — three behind their rivals who now lead the league table after overcoming Harare City last week.

The victory by Mangwiro’s men stretched the Green Machine’s unbeaten run to 10 matches.

They have not tasted defeat since their 2-2 draw against Tripple B in the reverse fixture and will be seeking to break the long-standing hoodoo against their arch-rivals which would stretch their unbeaten run to 11 matches.

On the other hand, Dynamos — who shot to the top of the league summit for the first time last week after thumping Harare City 3-1 — will be looking to consolidate their lead.