Story by Anashe Murombedzi
THE ghosts of more than a decade of slumber were finally exorcised on Sunday as Rufaro Stadium shook to its foundations during the Harare derby between CAPS United and Dynamos.
In a spectacle that Zimbabwean football has sorely missed, more than 25 000 fans crammed into the stadium, which was built for a smaller capacity, while hundreds were turned away as Harare’s eternal rivals renewed their fierce rivalry.
For over a decade, the Harare derby had become a pale shadow of its former self. The faithful had grown weary, as the “Big traditional Harare giants” were no longer big in any meaningful sense, with inconsistency and decline robbing the fixture of its magic.
However, Sunday changed everything. Scenes at Rufaro Stadium were reminiscent of the derby’s golden era, with rival songs battling for supremacy and a sea of blue and green stretching across the stands.
Fans who had stayed away for years returned in large numbers, their scepticism washed away by renewed belief that this was no longer a hollow ritual, but a genuine contest between two clubs rediscovering their purpose.
Former Dynamos captain Justice Majabvi said the atmosphere reflected a long-awaited revival.
“This is what we missed,” he said. “It has been a while since we last saw such a big crowd for the derby. The revival was evident, but I also think the club leadership is setting the pace. They are telling the players this is not just another three points; they are telling the fans that those in charge understand what this fixture means.
“Fans will always come, but they must be given a reason. There was a moment of disillusionment, but loyalty has limits when paired with persistent mediocrity. What brought them back was not blind devotion, but evidence that their teams are finally worth supporting again,” said Majabvi.
Former CAPS United midfielder Alois Bunjira also praised the turnout and the competitive spirit, noting the influence of club leadership in restoring excitement.
“It was exciting to see such a big crowd at Rufaro Stadium yesterday. It has been a while since we last saw such numbers for the derby. The revival was evident, but I also think the owners are setting the pace. They are telling players this is not just another game,” he said.
“For example, when you hear club leadership offering incentives, it shows the seriousness attached to this fixture. The competition has now extended to ownership level, and that energy filters down to the pitch,” he added.
The Premier Soccer League also expressed appreciation to fans and stakeholders, confirming that more than 25,000 paying spectators created an electric atmosphere during the encounter.
What Sunday proved is that the Harare derby never truly died.
The fans always return when the giants begin to act like giants once more.
The challenge now is sustaining this momentum and ensuring that Sunday was not a one-off surge of emotion, but the foundation of something lasting.
