adminChipembere will give their supporters a glimpse of what to expect in the new season when they square off with CAPS United in a friendly match at Rufaro this afternoon.
The sides are pencilled to clash in a curtain raiser to the Chipaz Charity match pitting musicians and yesteryear football players at 1pm.
Saruchera, who is also expected to feature for the yesteryear footballers team in the main match against musicians, yesterday said Rhinos are hoping to use this match to fine-tune their team, after adding about eight new faces to their squad.
Rhinos were re-admitted to the big stage when they won the Northern Region Division One League last season, to end a three-year hiatus.
Saruchera declared that Rhinos will not be relegated this year and said today’s match should give them hints of how they may progress this year.
“We are back after spending some time out there and I am convinced we are back for good. As Rhinos we are quite aware of the challenges that await us and we are working on building a very competitive team.
“We have the experience in our ranks and right now we are busy blending new and old players. I am sure we will do most of the talking on the pitch,” said Saruchera.
Rhinos have signed four players from DStv Rangers after agreeing terms with defender Bruce Homora, midfielders Milton Kureva and Ndabazile Ndlovu and striker Brian Muzondiwa.
The army side has also brought in the DC Academy duo of Marshal Mudewe and Hebert Rusawo, Jameson Mukobwe from Twalumba and Wonder Kapinda from Monomotapa.
However, the fate of old horses like Lazarus Muhoni, Britto Gwere and Brighton Chandisaita, who played crucial roles in the team’s promotion is still to be known, in light of the pace and intensity of Premiership football.
“There are no big names in our squad but we just want to surprise everyone. We have acquired a number of new players from the lower divisions where we have been playing and I am convinced they are very good players.
“Since we expect a huge turnout tomorrow (today), we are going to use the Chipaz match to assess how most of our new players can perform on the big stage.
“Our dream is to build a Rhinos side that is more formidable just like the team of 1984 that won the league title. I don’t know how we will do it but that’s the aim,” said Saruchera.
Rhinos owe their recent revival to the arrival of their sponsors, Savanna Tobacco, who poured a considerable amount of funds into the team last year to boost player morale.
“Our sponsors really played a big role because the boys found that incentive to go the extra mile and once Savanna came on board, we became unstoppable, and we are happy that we repaid them by winning the title,” said Saruchera.
“They chose to stick with us when we were in Division One, which shows that they are true football friends, and we have both taken our brands into the Premiership and this should be an exciting year for a very strong partnership.
“We hope to do our best and our sponsors will be with us all the way.”
The Rhinos gaffer, who will feature in the main charity match alongside yesteryear footballers like John Phiri, Gift Muzadzi, Angirai Chapo, Alois Bunjira, Willard Khumalo, Norman Mapeza and Agent Sawu, also applauded the organisers for the idea behind event.
Proceeds from the charity match will be channeled towards assisting musician Tedius Matsito who had one of his legs amputated, as well as promoting junior football.
Local banking company BancABC have since imported a leg extension, which should be officially handed over to the musician in the near future.
“Chipaz are doing a very good thing and we are there to support the cause. Since it is a charity day we are appealing to all the fans to come in their numbers because there will be lots of entertainment,” said Saruchera.
“It’s all fun. We have played the musicians a number of times and we have beaten them by huge scorelines. The truth is they (the musicians) will never win against the legends. It’s just beyond them.
“Maybe they may achieve to reduce the scoreline if they play well,” said Saruchera.
Former CAPS United and Warriors goalkeeper Brenna Msiska who missed last year’s edition because of family bereavement said he was looking forward to the match.
Msiska applauded the organisers but pleaded they should also consider spreading the event to other areas outside Harare.
“The idea behind this day is very noble. I am very much behind it and I hope to take part in the match. The musicians appear to be very serious this time because they have been meeting for training the past two weeks.
“It promises to be an entertaining game,” said Msiska.
The Green Machine assistant coach was excited that his team will take part this year after replacing Dynamos, who had pulled out of the event.
Mapekepe, like their counterparts Rhinos, have recruited from the lower divisions and Msiska indicated that their supporters should expect to see a new-look side with a number of unfamiliar faces.
The match will pave way for the main event of the day which will feature some of the top musicians like Alick Macheso, Leonard Zhakata, Victor Kunonga, Somandla Ndebele, Peter Moyo and Jah Prayzah, King Shaddy, Guspy Warrior, Nicholas Zakaria, Gulf Makina, Victor Kunonga, Winky D, Sniper Storm, Freeman, First Farai and Hosiah Chipanga.
The organisers have lined up eight teams to take part in the event, which starts this morning.
Online Reporter