It’s all square in the Harare derby

Sport
SECOND-HALF substitute Gerald Phiri scored a sublime free-kick to rescue a point for Caps United in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) big Harare derby at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.

SECOND-HALF substitute Gerald Phiri scored a sublime free-kick to rescue a point for Caps United in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) big Harare derby at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.

HENRY MHARA SPORTS REPORTER Caps United……………(0) 1 Dynamos………………. (1) 1

Veteran midfielder Murape Murape had given Dynamos a halftime lead with a rising shot from inside the box, but Phiri, who was brought into the match on 55th minute, cancelled the effort in spectacular fashion.

With barely three minutes on the pitch, the Malawian curled the ball home from some 40 metres outside the penalty box, to beat Artwell Mukandi in goal for Dynamos.

Phiri was naturally excited to score his first Harare derby goal while Dynamos coach Kalisto Pasuwa said he was satisfied with the point ahead of the reverse fixture next weekend.

Both Pasuwa and Caps United coach Taurai Mangwiro were on the team’s benches after completing Caf A licence courses on Saturday.

South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns watched the match, ahead of the team’s friendly matches against the two teams tomorrow and Wednesday.

This match has in recent times been a subject of derision from many soccer experts, who argue that it has lost its past flavour. But not this latest version. It certainly gave the supporters some value for their money.

The passion from the two sets of teams and their supporters was clear and for the first time in a long time, the match took its legitimate title of the big Harare derby.

Dynamos went into the derby having last lost a league match against Caps in 2009 while their opponent had the ZNA Commander Charity Shield win over their number one enemy early this year as their only source of pride.

Dynamos did not waste much time in trying to protect their proud record with striker Rodreck Mutuma and Murape causing some trouble in the opposition box early on.

But it was Caps United who were enjoying the possession although doing very little to trouble Mukandi.

On the 10th minute, Dynamos could have made it 1-0 when Mutuma headed down a cross from Blessing Moyo for Devon Chafa whose shot hit the foot of the upright.

Within minutes, the league champions were on the attack again, Mutuma and Ronald Chitiyo combined well on the left to set up Murape who found the net to make the score 1-0 in favour of the Blue Army.

The Green Machine tried to respond from a free-kick, but it was tipped over by Mukandi.

Caps were soon saved by the linesman’s flag when a Chafa goal on the half hour was disallowed for an offside.

But Caps United continued to get free-kicks in good areas especially on the left channel, but the Dynamos defence was giving away very little.

Dynamos should and could have easily made it 2-0 five minutes from the break when they broke with Ocean Mushure who laid the ball for Chafa, but the midfielder hesitated to take a chance from a good range and passed responsibility to Washington Pakamisa who was clear on goal and it was goal-kick to Caps United as Pasuwa’s side went to the break leading.

Mangwiro made his first change of personnel just after the break, bringing in Phiri for Moses Muchenje and within minutes of coming on, the Malawian international made the difference with a well struck free-kick.

Phiri got another opportunity from almost a similar position moments later, but this time he could not beat Mukandi who had positioned himself better.

Leonard Fiyado then brought the best out of Mukandi on 73rd minute with a powerful shot after Stephen Alimenda had been caught sleeping on duty by Phiri in the middle of the park.

Caps’ Pevington Zimunya had the miss of the match when he failed to direct a cross from the right, heading wide with the goalie well beaten.

At the other end, Chafa decided to take a shot which went over when passing the ball to Chitiyo was a better option as another good opportunity went begging for Dynamos.

It was Dynamos who had two clear chances late on to win the match. Substitute Cliff Sekete decided to lay the ball back to a marked Pakamisa when he should have taken a chance himself. Deep into added time, Mutuma headed over from the six yard box as the two teams settled for a draw.