Charging Rhinos bounce back

Grace Chingoma, Harare Bureau
Black Rhinos 3 – 0  Tsholotsho
BLACK RHINOS reclaimed the pole position as the 2017 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League reaches the halfway mark in style when they returned to their winning ways with a comprehensive victory over Tsholotsho at Morris Depot yesterday.

The army side concluded the first half of the season leading the pack with 31 points and have a superior goal difference against rivals Ngezi Platinum who faltered to Triangle 1-0 in the Lowveld yesterday.

And Chauya Chipembere’s coach Stanford “Stix” M’tizwa was a happy man yesterday as he saw his charges bouncing back to their winning ways after 270 minutes of football without collecting maximum points.

The team lost once and drew twice in their last three outings.

But all that became history yesterday as the Premiership returnees made light work of struggling Tsholotsho with goals from Martin Mine (33rd minute), substitute Salima Yamikani (78th minute) and Lot Chiwunga (87th minute).

“I am happy with the three points. We lost once (against Harare City) and drew twice in our last three games, so I am happy with the three points.

“I’m happy with the way my boys played in the second half. Playing against a team which has been losing points for some games, it was like a Cup final and they put everything in the first half which was so tense.

“We are very happy with what we have achieved in the first half of the season but we urge our players to maintain the spirit and composure especially in home games,” M’tizwa said.

The former Black Rhinos skilful midfielder said he is expecting to boost his squad before they can gun for the league title.

“The race is still on. When Rhinos were relegated last time they had 43 points, so we have reached that mark so we are still fighting until we have achieved that.

“We want to add depth in all departments and we are still talking to some players,” said M’tizwa.

Black Rhinos had to dig deep in yesterday’s after a stubborn Tsholotsho threatened them in the opening period and could have changed the complexion of the game had they been more precise in front of goal.

However, the army side calmed their nerves just after the half-an-hour mark when midfielder Mine headed them in front from a set-piece.

The hosts extended their lead when forward Yamikani scrambled the ball home two minutes after he had replaced Milton Kureva.

Veteran Rhinos striker Chiwunga then killed the match as a contest with three minutes to go when he did justice to a fine delivery by Benjamin Marere.

The former Dynamos attacker was enjoying his game on the afternoon where the army side displayed some refreshing football which was sort of matched by their opponents, especially in the first half before they just crumbled.

Even Tsholotsho coach Darlington Dodo was surprised with the way his troops lost steam.

“I think in the first half we did not do badly as we did in the second half. If we had converted our chances it could have given us an upperhand.

“We were out of sorts in the second half, I am not sure what the problem with my players was. They were defending too deep and created a lot of mistakes in the process.”

The former Gunners coach said his team, which is sitting at the basement of the table, will continue to fight for survival when the league resumes after the break.

“In terms of fighting for relegation, it worsens the situation. When I went there I thought we would have made some strides by now but it is proving to be a tall order. But we will continue to fight,” Dodo said.

 Teams

Black Rhinos: H. Rusawo, G. Mugabe, F. Banda, B. Chandisaita, S. Linyama, M. Mine, D. Mudadi, C. Chitsamba, M. Kureva (S. Yamikani 76th minute), B. Marere, L. Chiwunga.

Tsholotsho: C. Mariyoni, N. Siwela, N. Moyo, T. Nyabinde, T. Ncube, S. Mhlanga, M. Mushonga, X. Ndlovu (N. Mpala 80th minute), A. Ncube (T. Moyo 54th minute), L. Nyathi, T. Chimenya (L. Vundla 63rd minute),