Zimbabwe football fans were on Monday treated to one of the worst Harare derbies in living memory as they watched Caps United and Dynamos play mediocre soccer.
The two Harare giants appear to have played their worst-ever soccer in living memory as they could hardly string more than three passes, much to the chagrin of the few football fans.
Some fans left the National Sports Stadium at half-time, realizing that the game did not live to expectations of a local derby.
This was worsened by the fact that fans started complaining before the game after Caps United hiked gate charges to $5 instead of the normal $3 per person.
Caps, however, were the first to find the target through George Nyirenda only for Dynamos to equalize through a penalty conversion from Quadr Amini after Ronald Chitiyo had been fowled in the box.
The draw left Dynamos at the top of the Premier Soccer League table with 10 points from four games while Caps United are way down with seven points from three games having failed to fulfill their fixture last Thursday against How Mine due to protests by players over unpaid salaries and allowances.
COACH MANDIGORA HAPPY
Despite the mediocre performance, Dynamos coach, David Mandigora, was happy with the final result.
But Caps United coach Mark Harrison was a disappointed man.
The other matches ended as follows. Dongo Sawmill 0, Triangle 1; Tsholotsho Pirates 1, Hwange 1: Buffaloes 0, Highlanders 0.
The game between Chapungu and ZPC Kariba had to be called off because of a water-logged pitch following a heavy downpour yesterday. FC Platinum who did not play during the Easter holiday, due to their commitment in the Caf Confederation Cup, will play Flame Lilly on Wednesday.
FIFA ELECTIONS
In another football development, the Zimbabwe Football Association are keeping a tight lid on whom they are backing in the race for the Fifa presidential elections coming soon.
Zifa spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela refused to reveal Zifa’s favourite candidate following a recent visit to Zimbabwe by one of the candidates, Prince Ben Ali Hussein of Jordan.
All the candidates are canvasing for African support and are at the Caf Congress that starts tomorrow, hoping to get the crucial African vote.
The other candidates are former Portugal and European footballer of the Year Luis Figo, Michael van Praag of the Netherlands, and sitting president Sepp Blatter.
Gwesela told Studio Seven that the Zifa board has already made a decision on whom to vote for but made it clear that their vote was their secret.
Zifa president Cuthbert Dube, board member for development, John Phiri, and Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Mashingaidza are at the Caf Congress in Egypt where Africa will take a position as a block.
Africa has in the past backed incumbert Blatter, who was first elected into office in 1998.