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Lawrence Moyo
Head Zimpapers Sports Hub
WHILE focus on Matchday 26 of the Northern Region Soccer League has been centred on the ill-fated match between Shamva Mine and MWOS, a more significant outcome of the weekend action emerged from the Commando Barracks.
The scoreline was Cranborne Bullets 1, Black Rhinos 0.
The two are sister clubs and squads are largely sourced from the same pool of players, a majority who are members of the uniformed forces.
Seventh-placed Cranborne Bullets are not in the title race but are very safe from relegation and had absolutely nothing to lose when they faced championship chasing Black Rhinos, in fourth place, on Saturday.
Former NRSL leaders Black Rhinos badly needed a win as they went into the game at the back of just two wins in their last five matches.
The only way they can make a quick return to the Premier Soccer League is if they win matches and the approval of Commando Barracks for their home games seemed a game changer.
However, two games at the supposedly intimidating venue have yielded just one point out of a possible six.
Many expected a command result to come out of Commando Barracks but the opposite happened.
Cranborne Bullets beat Black Rhinos and in the process threw former coach Nesbert “Yabo” Saruchera’s campaign into turmoil.
In the event that Black Rhinos miss out on the NRSL title this year, the result against Cranborne Bullets will stand out.
However, Black Rhinos coach Nesbert “Yabo” Saruchera told Zimpapers Sport yesterday that they are all professional teams within the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and will never try to manipulate results.
“We believe in professionalism and if we are to gain promotion into the Premier League then it has to be on merit. Yes, Cranborne Bullets are our sister club but matches are won and lost on the field of play and they were the better side on the day and won.
“There was never any thought of manipulating the result because we do not believe in qualifying through the back door,” said Yabo.
The defeat to Cranborne Bullets meant that Black Rhinos have collected just one point from their last three matches since August 28 against Karoi United (0-1), Shamva Mine (0-0) and Cranborne Bullets (0-1).
Black Rhinos’ last victory was 2-1 against PAM FC at the Commando Barracks on August 23 and it happens to be the last time they scored a goal.
As a result, Black Rhinos have decided to return to the Heart Stadium’s B Arena where they were based prior to last month’s approval of Commando Barracks as a venue for the Northern Region Soccer League matches.
They host Harare City in a top-of-the-table clash this afternoon. Yabo believes the Commando Barracks pitch still needs attention to reach the level they have been accustomed to.
“Commando Barracks is our home venue and we are not abandoning it. Its just that at the moment the pitch is not yet at the level that we have gotten used to and that is why we are temporarily reverting to Heart Stadium were we have played our best football this season.
“Our style of play is best suited at Heart Stadium and that is where we play our normal game. So we are back there (Heart Stadium) while the pitch at Commando Barracks improves.”
Looking at today’s match, Yabo expects a tough battle.
“It’s obviously a big game involving teams in the top four. Its not going to be easy but I don’t doubt the quality that we have. We are going to fight for all three points and stop the current winless run, especially now that we are back to the pitch we are used to,” said Yabo.
Online Reporter