Harare giants in blockbuster Chibuku showdown
ON current form, CAPS United are one of the best teams in the Premier Soccer League.
With 10 points from their last five league games, Makepekepe have the most points — together with Dynamos and Herentals — during that period.
Conversely, deflated Highlanders only have four points out of a possible 15.
So good have been CAPS United of late that their points tally in the last five rounds of action is actually better than championship favourites Ngezi Platinum Stars and defending champions FC Platinum.
Ngezi and FC Platinum have managed nine and seven points, respectively.
Since the 1-2 loss to Yadah on October 4, CAPS United have stitched together a fourgame unbeaten run, which includes three consecutive wins over Hwange (away), Sheasham (home) and Simba Bhora (away).
It is CAPS United’s first three-game winning streak this season.
And the revival has excited their fans ahead of today’s Chibuku Super Cup semi-final derby showdown against their perennial rivals.
They expect their team to finally reach the final for the first time since inception of the competition in 2014.
It seems CAPS United’s 5-3 victory over Highlanders on penalties at Barbourfields Stadium in the quarter-finals has given them reason to believe once again.
“We cannot afford to lose to Dynamos for the third time in one season — that’s unacceptable.
“The good thing about this match is that it is a cup game, more like a money game, so it’s unpredictable. The fact that CAPS United go into this battle as underdogs is an advantage,” said popular CAPS United fan Richard Sande.
The Premiership giants are meeting for the third time this season, having played twice in the league already.
DeMbare completed a league double over Makepekepe with a 1-0 win at the National Sports Stadium on September 24.
Genesis Mangombe’s side had won the reverse fixture 2-0 at the same venue on April 30. In fact, the last time CAPS United beat Dynamos in a league tie was on November 24, 2019, when they edged their rivals 1-0.
The two sides have met only twice in the Chibuku Super Cup.
The encounters — in the group stages of the 2021 edition, which had a different format — ended in 1-1 stalemates.
None of the two teams has won the competition, although DeMbare reached the final in 2015, before losing to Harare City.
Dynamos have also reached the semi-final thrice — in 2015, 2018 and 2021 — while Makepekepe are playing in their second semi-final.
CAPS United’s other semi-final ended in a losing cause to Harare City in 2018.
Makepekepe coach Lloyd Chitembwe is so determined to progress to the final that he gave his charges some rest during the week, as he felt fatigue was starting to creep into the players.
He expects his troops to be fresh for today’s battle. CAPS United have endured the ignominy of fighting for survival in the top-flight and are not yet completely out of the woods.
They are six points ahead of Sheasham, who occupy the last relegation slot.
The Chibuku Super Cup is their only chance to salvage what has been a forgettable season for the side.
“We would want to continue focusing on the league because we have had a terrible season. It’s important to try and maximise from the games that are remaining,” Chitembwe said.
“The focus is also on the Chibuku Super Cup to try to do as well as we expect ourselves to do so that we can at least have a decent season.” CAPS United boast a player with some rich history in the cup competition — William Manondo.
He won the cup twice with Harare City and is the tournament’s all-time leading scorer.
In Kelvin Madzongwe, CAPS United also have a serial winner of the competition.
He won it twice with FC Platinum and Bulawayo Chiefs.
Former Soccer Star of the Year Rodwell Chinyengetere has also regained form in the last five weeks, a period in which he has found the target three times.
In terms of experience and ability to handle the pressure that comes with cup games, CAPS United look better positioned as they also have old horses like Devon Chafa and Phineas Bamusi.
But in terms of pace, intensity and endurance, Dynamos look superior, especially their mobile midfield, where the trio of Junior Makunike, Donald Mudadi and Tanaka Shandirwa have excelled.
Skipper Frank Makarati and his centre-back partner Kelvin Moyo have also been a rock.
However, the unsung hero at Dynamos has been Emmanuel Jalai, the pint-sized consistent right-back.
The Aces Youth Soccer Academy product has remained grounded despite being one of the best performers in the league this season.
“I don’t look much into myself because the team comes first,” Jalai told The Sunday Mail Sport.
“For now, I am concentrating on this match against CAPS United, and I am hoping we will get some silverware come end of the season.”
Although DeMbare are still in the race for the league championship, it looks like the Chibuku Super Cup is their best hope of silverware.
They trail log leaders Ngezi by eight points, with five matches left.
Dynamos, however, have a game in hand against Manica Diamonds.
“We are just one step away from reaching the final. We have to double up our efforts, but it’s not going to be an easy game,” added Jalai.
“Looking at the two games that we played in the league, this one is a cup game and they will give it their all.
“I am hoping for a positive result from our end and I am hoping the guys will continue playing the way we have been playing from the first round up to the semi-final.”
Dynamos stunned two-time winners FC Platinum in the quarter-final at Mandava Stadium early this month to book a semi-final berth.
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