admininto a one sided contest as Mighty Warriors striker Rutendo “Madzimai” Makore made a mockery of her national team captain Onai Chingawo after she beat her on three occasions.
Rhinos’ striker Kuda Basopo, capped a fine afternoon for the army side, when she scored the fourth goal on the stroke of fulltime.
Makore, who has shed off a lot of weight, set up the hosts with an early first half goal, before completing her hat-trick in the second half as the champions sent a strong statement about their intentions of retaining the title.
Going into the match, the two Harare sides were separated by a single point but the defeat saw Mufakose Queens being dislodged into third place by Inline Academy who beat Faith Drive 6-2.
Mufakose Queens coach Langton Giwa said his charges were not in form and had a poor performance.
“The team wasn’t in form and we couldn’t do much. The second goal affected the momentum as we had begun to play better in that period and it demoralized the players.
“We will continue to fight as with football you can never they may lose at Inline and we will just focus on our coming matches,” said Giwa.
Rhinos, who collected maximum points after they beat their rivals 1-0 in the reverse fixture, said they had been surprised by the manner in which their biggest rivals had meekly fallen.
Chipembere assistant coach Brian Derera said they will start talking about championship after their weekend’s match against Inline Academy.
“The match was good. We were expecting a tough match from them but we got our chances and utilised them. It is a morale booster for the players and we will now travel to Bulawayo confident.
“The result which we will get from Inline will give us a clearer picture on whether we will win the league again.
“We still have tough matches against teams such as New Orleans but we will continue to work hard,” said Derera.
Elsewhere, Mighty Warriors striker Rudo Neshamba scored a hat-trick with Judith Lunga weighing with a brace while Tonderai Masango added one as Inline Soccer Academy scored half a dozen goals against Mutare side Faith Drive to take over second place.
Faith Drive’s Diana Seda and Tafadzwa Chikosi got the consolation goals for the visitors.
At Lafarge, Flame Lily stunned fourth placed New Orleans when a brace by forward Erina Jeke sunk the Bulawayo side.
Cyclone Stars picked maximum points in Guruve when they beat Conduit Soccer Academy 2-1 with skipper Felistas Muzongondi scoring twice while Cosa Rumbidzai Gora pulled one back for the hosts.
A relegation battle at Mucheke, saw Masvingo Queens getting the better of Chipembere with Chido Muvavarirwa scoring a double, while Collina Sigauke scored for the Gweru side.
Results: Masvingo Queens 2, Chipembere Queens 1; Inline Academy 6, Faith Drive 2; Conduit Soccer Academy 1, Cyclone Stars 2; Flame Lily 2, New Orleans 0; Black Rhinos 4, Mufakose Queens 0.
Latest log table
P W D L GF GA Pts
B.Rhinos Qns 14 11 2 1 68 6 35
Inline Academy 14 10 2 2 45 11 32
Mufakose Qns 14 10 1 3 62 8 31
N. Orleans Qns 14 7 4 3 25 21 25
Cyclone Stars 14 8 0 6 36 25 24
Flame Lily 14 7 1 6 37 21 22
Conduit 14 6 1 7 19 25 19
Masvingo Qns 14 2 2 10 8 78 8
Faith Drive Qns 14 1 1 12 12 89 4
Chipembere Qns 14 0 2 12 9 50 2
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