DYNAMOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 (1)
CAPS UNITED . . . . . . . . . .0 (1)
THE big Harare derby is still alive. Never mind that this time around, Dynamos and Caps United met at a time when they were both immersed in the relegation zone; yesterday's contest was played in true derby spirit.
Both sets of fans probably went home with hope restored that their teams can revive themselves and still make a mark this season.
DeMbare fans turned out for the match despite calls for a boycott, which fell flat.
Dynamos fans who planned a get-together in Highfield missed out on the enthralling entertainment produced in this derby.
The match was watched by a lively crowd and those who believe that this fixture has lost its place among the biggest in the league are fooling themselves.
The two teams are trying to find their feet with new regimes in their dugouts. Yesterday's match was about the fans trying to make sense of what Saul Chaminuka at Dynamos and Ian Bakala at Caps United are trying to do.
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Dynamos played with a lot of energy, with some sharpness in their passing, although they created precious little in front of the goal, particularly in the first half.
For long periods, Caps United struggled to match Dynamos until late on, when they could and should have won it.
After first half blanks, the second half started on an electric note with DeMbare breaking the deadlock from the penalty spot through skipper Emmanuel Jalai with no fuss, six minutes after the break.
He could have doubled the lead a few minutes later, but he fluffed his lines.
Caps United restored parity 20 minutes after the break through a sublime finish by Kundai Benyu, his first strike in the local league. He received a pass and picked up his spot to beat Prince Tafiremutsa in goals for Dynamos.
The goal triggered song and dance among the Caps faithfuls who had been silenced by the Jalai goal.
Chaminuka said he expected his team to win yesterday's match, but he was pleased with the way his players had responded to his methods.
"I wanted to win this match, we believed we could win it. We did well except for that mistake where Caps United profited. We need time together. Maybe after a month, that’s when we will be ready to produce what we are working towards. But so far, I am happy. We have a young team, these boys are willing to learn, which is good. Today, it was easy planning for Caps, I didn't think Bakala would change too many things, they played the long ball and went wide looking for that cross. We had prepared for that and we dealt with it well," Chaminuka said.
Bakala, on the other hand, said that he is still trying to change "a few things".
"Today, I am happy that we didn't lose this match, although I felt we could have won it. The priority is to get out of the relegation zone and ease the pressure. I like the application by the boys so far; they are working hard. From what I saw before, I think there is an improvement."
Both sets of coaches are looking forward to the transfer window, where they can replenish.
Chaminuka wants to fortify his defence and make an improvement in the attack.
Bakala would not give away much about his plans, but he, too, is hoping to bring in a few players.
Yesterday, Bakala played a 4-4-2 formation, where he also made wholesome changes to the starting XI after changing the system.
Teams:
Dynamos: Prince Tafiremutsa, Emmanuel Jalai, Abel Gwatidzo, Raymond Uchena, Shadreck Nyahwa, Brandon Jerimani (R. Chingwara, 81st min), Frank Agyemang, Valentine Kadonzvo (E. Perezo, 68th min), Vusa Ngwenya, Tellmore Pio, Leeroy Mavhunga (E. Chikona, 78th min)
CAPS Utd: Stephen Kwaku, Bruce Kangwa, Wesley Milanzi, Jimmy Dzingai, Matongo, Love Raema Bissila Mabiala (J. Bunjira, 76th min), Kundai Benyu (J. Mutudza, 81st min), Tanaka Shandirwa, Phineas Bamusi, Nyasha Chintuli (E. Manokore, 76th min), Emmanuel Mbollo (J. Bakari, 66th min)
