Harare derby now reduced to a clash of the mediocre

A shadow of their former selves, both Dynamos and CAPS United limp into this Sunday’s Harare derby. Dynamos’ faithful have witnessed only one league victory in 11 attempts, a run that has seen them amass a paltry eight points. They’ve scored two goals, conceded seven, and have a goal difference of minus five. CAPS United, while slightly better off with nine points, have hardly been convincing, suffering six defeats in their 11 games. They’ve scored seven times, conceded 11, and have a goal difference of minus four. Sunday’s derby will indeed be a clash of the mediocre.

Dynamos’ struggles have been particularly acute. Their season has been marred by poor results, and the team currently sits low in the league standings. Fans have long been frustrated with the leadership of Bernard Marriott Lusengo, whom they accuse of mismanaging the club and contributing to its decline. This frustration has now boiled over into a planned boycott of the CAPS United match.

The “Vietnam End”, traditionally the most vocal and passionate section of Rufaro Stadium, is expected to be sparsely populated as Dynamos supporters stay away in protest. This unprecedented action speaks volumes about the depth of their discontent. For years, legal battles have raged over the club’s ownership, with multiple court rulings confirming Marriott as the rightful owner. However, this has done little to appease fans who believe the club should be run by a collective of stakeholders, as per tradition.

Now, with Dynamos seemingly rudderless and facing a potential collapse under Marriott’s leadership, the fans have reached a breaking point. They believe that only a change in leadership can prevent relegation, and they are using the boycott to send a clear message: Marriott must go now.

CAPS United, while slightly better off than their rivals, are also struggling to find consistency. They too have failed to live up to expectations, further dampening the excitement surrounding this once-great fixture.

The Dynamos fan boycott will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the match. The absence of vocal support will create an eerie, almost surreal atmosphere in Rufaro, a stark contrast to the usual cauldron of noise. This could have a profound effect on the players’ morale, potentially dampening the overall intensity and passion of the game. Derbies are typically fiercely contested, fuelled by the electric atmosphere, but the lack of that passionate support risks detracting significantly from the spectacle.

Indeed, the stadium is likely to have a larger contingent of CAPS United fans than Dynamos supporters, an unprecedented situation that highlights the severity of the boycott. With such a diminished crowd, the match could well lack its usual fire, diminishing the chances of either side reaching the heights often seen in this clash. The absence of the “12th man” for Dynamos may well favour CAPS United, but the game itself could become a muted affair, a shadow of its former glory.

This Sunday’s Harare derby is therefore more than just a football match; it’s a reflection of the deep-seated problems plaguing Dynamos, and to some extent, CAPS United. The fan boycott is a powerful statement of discontent, and the outcome of both the match and the off-field power struggle could have far-reaching consequences for the future of these two iconic clubs. Chronicle