Player unrest, cash bonanza, bus bait fire-up frenzied build-up to Dynamos, Caps United derby

By Auther Chimbgwa

Table toppers Caps United brace for an epic clash with eternal rivals Dynamos in a famous Sunday derby amid a mishmash of player unrest in the Dynamos camp, cash enticements and a more than ridiculous bait of a brand new bus by free-spending businessman Wicknell Chivayo if Dynamos secure victory.

Both camps have been busy behind the scenes, with promises of doubling winning player bonuses by their respective leadership.

Chivayo has pledged an irresistible team bus worth US$120 000 to Dynamos should they beat their arch rivals whose club president Farai Jere has also promised to double players’ winning bonuses from US$500 to US$1 000 if victory came their way.

To demonstrate their hunger for victory, the Dynamos chairman Vincent Chawonza and club executive CEO Desmond Bvute were Wednesday forced to track down to the team’s training ground at the Glamis Arena to engage the players directly after reports emerged earlier that players were refusing to take their training, citing unpaid signing-on fees.

Bvute was later forced to play down the unrest saying “the house is in order”.

“it was just an issue of platers seeking clarification from their manager regarding their outstanding signing fees,” he told the media.

“We staggered these payments so the players basically wanted to know exactly when the remaining balances would be paid and I think that is what triggered all the noise that is on social media but as a club, the house is in order the players are fully paid up in terms of their salaries and their winning bonuses

“Everything is fine, the morale is high in the camp and we are geared for the game on Sunday. We are home and dry; we don’t have any problems.”

But the drama is part of a motley of little teasers fanning a frenzied build-up to the headline fixture of the Caste Lager Premier Soccer League Match Day 11 round of matches full of intrigue in an equally exciting and very competitive Zimbabwe premiership football season.

Both teams are smarting from humbling losses last weekend with Caps United having been handed a humiliating 2-1 defeat by Bulawayo Chiefs whilst DeMbare also tasted their first league defeat in many months after falling to an identical 2-1 defeat to Chicken Inn.

Coincidentally, Dynamos’ loss was engineered by their own former player and coach Tonderayi Ndiraya, now in charge of the Chicken Inn dugout.

Dynamos head coach Genesis Mangombe admitted in an interview ahead of the clashg that “the loss was bad for us”.

“We need to go and psych-up the boys so that they freshen up and move forward,” he told the media.

In the other only match of the day, Highlanders, who have been punching below their weight sincethe start of the current league campaign, look to record their second victory in 11 attempts when they clash with minnows Triangle at Barbourfields stadium.

In Saturday clashes, impressive Ngezi Platinum Stars visit FC Hunters at the Heart stadium with plans to preserve their unbeaten record this season high on their priority list.

Elswewhere, resurgent Simba Bhora entertain ZPC Kariba at Wadzanayi stadium whilst Chicken Inn visit Ngoni stadium for a clash with MWOS

Hardrock, fresh from a rampaging 6-1 victory over FC Hunters last weekend, are involved in a tricky Midlands derby against TelOne at Ascot stadium.

Scottland head coach Norman Mapeza makes an emotional return to Mandava stadium to face his former paymasters FC Platinum. while Bulawayo Chiefs receive Herentals College at Barbourfields stadium.

Manica Diamonds clash with AGAMA at Sakubva stadium to complete Saturday’s goal rush.

All matches start at 3pm.