Sundaymail Editor
Langton Nyakwenda
THE current Black Rhinos squad has been encouraged to emulate the formidable “Chauya Chipembere” side of the 1980s which won league and cup titles ahead of traditional giants Dynamos, Highlanders and CAPS United.
Black Rhinos last won the league title in 1987, three years after they clinched the league cup double during their debut season in the top-flight.
Since then, Chauya Chipembere has failed to reassert their dominance, but the team is brimming with confidence ahead of this weekend’s Chibuku Super Cup tournament.
Black Rhinos play Tenax FC in a Group One fixture at Sakubva on Saturday, and the army side received a major boost Thursday afternoon when they unveiled two sponsorship deals with Fossil Agro and Moonlight Funeral Assurance.
The club also unveiled its 2021 squad in the presence of Brigadier-General (Training) Eiffias Mahachi at Josiah Magama Tongongara Barracks.
Fossil Agro presented home and away kits, while Moonlight also handed playing kits as well as training bibs and soccer balls.
“This timely and much-appreciated gesture comes at the most appropriate time as soccer matches and competitions are due to start this weekend with the Chibuku trophy.
“I, personally, on behalf of the Black Rhinos patron, management, team and supporters, would like to extend our sincere appreciation of the sponsorship,” Brig-Gen Mahachi said.
“It is a fact that if the team is to do well, there is need to support them with the tools of the trade.
“The club was able to compete in the player transfer market in order to bolster its competitiveness, thus today we stand proud to have a team that is ready to compete and determined to clinch the top-notch of the league.
“I urge you to be inspired by the feat achieved by the yesteryear generation of the likes of Stanford “Stix” Mtizwa, Japhet “Short Cat” Mparutsa, Gift “Shaft” Makoni, to mention just a few of the great names that played and brought glory to our team.”
Other star players who featured for Black Rhinos in the 1980s include the late Stanley “Sinyo” Ndunduma, William Chikauro, Hamid “Muzukuru” Dhana (late), Jimmy Mbewe, Givemore Madzeka, Fanuel Nyamukapa and Simon “AK 47” Mugabe.
The current squad now has the likes of skipper Bruce Homora, Blessing Mwandimutsira, Leeroy Murape, Farai Banda, Vincent Mhandu, Tawanda Macheke, Simba Makoni, Allan Gahadzikwa, Nesbert Padzarondora and Edgar “Mundo” Mhungu.
New signings include the former Dynamos pair of Tawanda Chisi and Kudzanai Dhemere.
Ex-Harare City wing-back Gareth Madhake and centre-back Tendai Ruziye, who joined the army side from Black Mambas, are also now at Rhinos.
Fossil Agro marketing executive Lorraine Rubaba said her organisation would make sure Black Rhinos players are “well-fed and well catered for”.
“I would like to pledge to you that from today the Fossil Agro family as well as the Fossil Group has effectively become Black Rhinos supporters,” she said.
Moonlight Group chief executive officer Chomi Makina said: “We have sponsored Black Rhinos before; this is not the first time we are sponsoring the team. We have done it in the past and we are prepared to do it into the future.
“We are encouraged by the peaceful and conducive business environment that we are operating in.
“This comes as an appreciation of the peace prevailing in the country. I think if there is no peace in the country, there are no sports in the country, so we appreciate the ZNA, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces for making sure that there is peace in this country . . .
“As Moonlight, we are also aware that football clubs are run at a cost and it is not always easy to meet all the expenses. We will also sit down and review what we can donate in the near future.”
Online Reporter