CAPS United’s Malawian import Ishmael Thindwa left the country for his native country early this week and will not be available for this season’s first edition of the Harare Derby against Dynamos in the ZNA Charity Shield semi-final at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
HENRY MHARA SPORTS REPORTER
This was revealed yesterday by the team’s captain Tapiwa Khumbuyani who himself is unavailable for the big match due to injury.
Khumbuyani said the highly rated Malawian striker left the country on Tuesday.
“He is in Malawi to sort out some personal issues. He should be back on Saturday, but I don’t think he will be selected for the match,” said Khumbuyani.
“It’s unfortunate for him to miss such a huge game; this is the kind of match that every player wants to be involved in. It’s a pity that I will also miss the match because of injury. My only consolation is that we still have two derbies against Dynamos in the league coming up so I am sure I will get involved in those. The other good thing is that I know we are winning this one after a very long time,” added Khumbuyani.
Other influential players that will not be available include Tafadzwa Dube who is also down injured while defenders Ronald Pfumbidzai and Hardlife Zvirekwi are in camp with the Warriors and are expected to leave for Tanzania today for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
While Thindwa will certainly miss his debut in the Harare derby, there are other Caps United players who joined this season who are likely to get the feel of this fierce contest for the first time.
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The Caps United players who are likely to get their big Harare derby debut are Pervington Zimunya who was with Shabanie Mine last season, Tongai Magwendere and Kelvin Sibanda who joined from Bantu Rovers.
Khumbuyani thinks they will cope.
“It’s a big match but like I said these are the kind of games that every good player looks forward to. These guys have been training well and they are very talented so they should not be affected that much. We will be missing some very influential players for different reasons, but I am confident that the replacements will come in and do the job,” said the Caps United right-back.
Just like Caps United, Dynamos also have a long list of influential figures who are set to miss this clash.
The league champions will miss the services of coach Kalisto Pasuwa who will be away with the Warriors in Da-es Salam.
Also set to travel with the Warriors if selected into the final squad is Patson Jaure who has been handed the captain’s armband, Stephen Alimenda, Sydney Linyama and George Chigova.
The injured Masimba Mambare, Clive Kawinga and Tawanda Muparati are yet to recover and have been ruled out of the match.
Highlanders and Fc Platinum will feature in the other semi-final at Barbourfields on the same day, with the winners set to clash in a final on a date to be advised.
Bosso is the other team that is likely to miss a host of players for their match.
Munyaradzi Diya, Peter “Rio” Moyo, Milton Ncube and Kudakwashe Mahachi are all likely to travel to Tanzania.
For FC Platinum, they have exciting midfielder Marshal Mudewe in Warriors’ camp.
The four participating teams are going into the Sunday battle on the back of contrasting fortunes.
Caps United will go into the match with their confidence high after their 2-0 win over Black Rhinos in a league match last Saturday although they are well aware that a match against Dynamos offers a very different challenge.
Dynamos and Highlanders were held to draws in their last league matches while FC Platinum were beaten away at Buffaloes.
