Why Harare Derby is so

today when stakes and tempers are always high.

Each time Dynamos play Caps United it’s war and I should know better - I captained DeMbare.

During my days we always felt Caps United were the noisy neighbours because of the behaviour of their fans who appeared not to know when to zip it.

So we would play for our fans and were always out to make sure that Makepekepe do not win give their own fans a chance to go on and on about beating us.

So who was the most difficult opponent I have ever come across in the Harare Derby?

I had interesting duels against the likes of Joel “Jubilee” Shambo, Joe Mugabe, Lloyd Chitembwe, Oscar Motsi and Antony Kambani but they do not take the honour. It belongs to Basil Chisopo! Chisopo was a brilliant midfielder and would give me nightmares each time we played Caps United.

I don’t know why the players of today do not play this match with the same spirit that we had.

Remember the 1994 Nicoz Diamond Cup final?

I have a lot of memorable derbies but this one still stands out.

It was the last match of the season and indeed we reserved the best for the last.

DeMbare were 0-2 down at half-time but we went on to win it 4-2 thanks to some moments of brilliance from Tauya Murewa and, of course, Vitalis “Digital” Takawira.

I also got a standing ovation from both sets of supporters after the match. It was unbelievable. To cap a fine season for me, I was also named Soccer Star of the Year.

It wasn’t easy to win that gong, not at all.

There were very good players from both Dynamos and Caps United and from what you will read later, I haven’t even included myself in the combined XI that I came up with.

Ernest Chirambadare, Angirayi Chapo, Alois Godzi (late), Desmond Maringwa, Francis Shonhayi (late), Kaitano Tembo, Chamu Musanhu, Garikai Zuze, Lloyd Mutasa, Kalisto Pasuwa, Claudius Zviripayi and, of course, Murewa and Takawria were some of the outstanding DeMbare players back in the 1990s.

Hope Chihota, Watson Muhoni (late), Clayton Munemo, Bheki Mlotshwa and a young Murape Murape were also talented players.

From Caps United Brenna Msiska was the best keeper they had in that decade.

Tobias Sibanda, Kudzanai Taruvinga, Mpumelelo Dzowa, Dumisani Mpofu, Silver Chigwenje, Stewart Murisa, Alois Bunjira, Blessing Makunike, Chitembwe and of course Mugabe were some of the best players.

Never Chiku was a deadly striker, so was Morgan Nkathazo while the likes of Timothy Chirozvani and Frank Nyamukuta were also up there.

And here is my combined Harare Derby XI… Goalkeeper: Defenders: Watson Muhoni (Dynamos)

Midfielders: Joe Mugabe (Caps Utd), Lloyd Mutasa (Dynamos), Joel Shambo (Caps Utd), Basil Chisopo (Caps Utd)

Strikers: Vitalis Takawira (Dynamos), Claudius Zviripayi (Dynamos)

Subs: Brenna Msiska (Caps Utd), Kalisto Pasuwa (Dynamos), Desmond Maringwa (Dynamos), Stewart Murisa (Caps Utd), Alois Bunjira (Caps Utd), Tauya Murewa (Dynamos), Lloyd Chitembwe (Caps Utd)

What - did I not include myself? Well that is a story for another Sunday! Mwendamberi exits the scene! ◆ Memory Mucherahohwa is a Dynamos legend and former captain. The United Kingdom-based author’s controversial autobiography “Soul of Seven Million Dreams” is available in local bookshops.