BETWEEN a brief player strike over unpaid signing-on fees and a clerical blunder that nearly saw him suspended, Tellmore Pio has had a frantic week, but the Dynamos midfield anchor remains remarkably unshaken.
As Rufaro Stadium prepares to host the first Harare derby of the season tomorrow afternoon, Pio believes the timing is impeccable for a clash that finds both giants wounded and desperate for redemption.
Despite their lofty positions in the title conversation, both sides stumbled badly last weekend.
Caps United, while maintaining their grip on the top spot, suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at home to Bulawayo Chiefs.
The outlook is grimmer for Dynamos, who are currently weathering a four-match winless streak that culminated in a 2-1 loss to Chicken Inn, which was their first defeat in ten outings this season.
Speaking to NewsDay Sport yesterday, Pio believes there is no better stage than a derby to silence the skeptics and recalibrate a season that has momentarily veered off course.
“This match has come at the right time for both teams,” Pio said.
“For us as Dynamos, this is an opportunity to show that our good start to the season wasn’t a fluke. A win over our main rival and a team that is top of the log will be massive for many different reasons. But most importantly, it would boost our confidence. Results haven’t been good in the last four matches, and some people are beginning to question us, so this match presents us with an opportunity to show that we are still a good team. We want to get back to winning ways, and all the players are ready to fight.”
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History favours the Glamour Boys, who took four points off their rivals last season, including a 1-0 win in their last meeting courtesy of a Jairosi Kasondo strike.
At the time, both clubs were uncharacteristically mired in a relegation scrap. This year, the stakes have shifted back to the summit of the table.
“Winning against Caps United is the best feeling ever,” said Pio, who experienced his first taste of the derby last year after joining from ZPC Kariba.
“This is a match that every player, be it Dynamos or Caps United, wants to play. It’s a big game and a chance to make a name for yourself. Play well, and you definitely etch yourself in the hearts of the supporters forever.”
The build-up to the match has followed the traditional script of derby drama. Earlier this week, the Dynamos camp was rocked by a player sit-in over unpaid signing-on fees.
While club chairperson Vincent Chawonza reportedly moved quickly to resolve the impasse, Pio was quick to downplay the internal friction.
“The situation was exaggerated,” he insisted.
“We are focused, and every player is ready to defend the badge. Morale is very high in camp.”
Pio himself was the subject of a clerical whirlwind this week after the league erroneously announced he would miss the derby due to yellow card accumulation.
He was eventually cleared after it was confirmed he did not receive a booking against Chicken Inn.
“I was calm because I knew I only had two cards,” Pio remarked.
“But a lot of supporters panicked. I know this by the number of phone calls I received after I got cleared. Even some of my bosses called me at midnight. It was some kind of relief all round. But for me, as I said, I was calm because even if I was suspended, I knew I had a capable replacement. We have other players in the squad who can do the job in my absence. Every player in the squad can come in and play."
The financial stakes are just as high as the sporting ones.
Caps United president Farai Jere has dangled a US$1 000 winning bonus in front of his players, while Dynamos have been promised a brand-new luxury bus by businessman Wicknell Chivayo should they secure the three points.
“Of course, the incentives are good, but this match is more about our careers, three points, and bragging rights. We want to make our names,” Pio said, while also taking a moment to urge fans to keep coming in their numbers and fill up the stadium.
He, however, appealed to the supporters to desist from hooliganism, urging them to “make the environment fun and safe for all”.
With Caps United sitting on 22 points and Dynamos just five points behind in fifth, the margin for error is razor-thin.
A win for the Green Machine consolidates their lead, while a win for DeMbare reignites a season that is precariously close to the brink.
Today: FC Hunters v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Heart), MWOS v Chicken Inn (Ngoni), FC Platinum v Scottland (Mandava), TelOne v Hardrock (Ascot), Simba Bhora v ZPC Kariba (Wadzanayi), Bulawayo Chiefs v Herentals (Barbourfields), Manica Diamonds v Agama (Sakubva).
Tomorrow: Highlanders v Triangle (Barbourfields), Dynamos v Caps United (Rufaro).
