IT does not need spectacles to see that there is a big difference in class between the two OneWallet Cup finalists Dynamos and Triangle to the extent that statistics and current form points to a huge Dynamos victory.
By Michael Kariati
Yes, it is fact that football history is littered with upsets as results such as Cameroon 1 Argentina 0 prove, but bookmakers are offering odds that this will not happen to Dynamos today.
A victory for DeMbare is premised on the difference in class in terms of quality between the two sides in all forms that make up the game of football. Some are even putting the chances of an upset at 20/1 or above as the OneWallet Cup debate comes to an end.
Mathias Kufandirimbwa, a former executive member of the Zimbabwe National Soccer Supporters Association, was straight to the point. “There is no way Triangle can beat Dynamos when there is money at stake. Dynamos players have an appetite for money games,” said Kufandirimbwa.
Statistics and current form shows that the huge difference between Dynamos and Triangle starts with their current standing on the league table. Dynamos are way up at the top of the Premiership tree with 46 points from 24 games while Triangle are way down the perking order on 12th position with 28 points and facing relegation.
Since their promotion into the Castle Lager Premiership, Triangle have not beaten Dynamos. They have lost three of their league meetings with the other ending in a two-all draw last season.
That is not the end of it. Although enough talent floods in the two teams’ changing rooms, Dynamos have too many big match players compared to Triangle. Most, if not all of these players are appearing in a cup final for the first time in their careers.
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Oscar Machapa, Simba Sithole, Tafadzwa Rusike, and Roderick Mutuma have played in the highly competitive Absa Premiership in South Africa and a cup final against Triangle should not scare them
There is also the experience of the likes of Murape Murape who have seen it all in the CAF Champions League and not mentioning Devon Chafa who was part of the Zimbabwe team that qualified for the final of the African Nations Championships (Chan) but missed out on the finals after he was suspended for a doping offence.
These cannot be compared to the best of Triangle, the likes of Praise Tonha, Tineyi Chitora and Tatenda Tsuro whose highest standard of football has been Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League action and are appearing in a cup final for the first time.
That is not all. While the Dynamos coaching department is stable and Kalisto Pasuwa is negotiating a salary hike, the same cannot be said of Triangle.
Goalkeepers’ coach Gift Muzadzi was asked to pack and go after helping the team reach the final, and coach Biggie Zuze is leaving on a knife edge.
Zuze has been given an ultimatum to collect six points in the next two league games or leave. He comes to the National Sports Stadium under massive pressure.
While Pasuwa is gunning for a fourth successive league championship, Zuze only remembers the sweetness of the league title from the days he was still playing, ironically, for Dynamos.
Although Dynamos look poised for the title, CAPS United supporter Gift Dzudzo thinks history does not count saying, Triangle will shoot for an upset. “This is a new game and I think Triangle players are hungrier to prove a point than Dynamos. I have a feeling that Triangle will win,” said Dzudzo.
Even Dynamos follower Solomon Mandu thinks they should not underestimate Triangle’ team spirit and overall strength. “If we think we have won the game before it is played, then we are making a terrible mistake. Let us celebrate after the job has been done,” said Mhandu.
But whatever the case is, everything is pointing to a Dynamos celebration.
