N’ombeyawora in control

Tadious Manyepo

Zimpapers Sports Hub

N’OMBEYAWORA coach Nesbert “Yabo” Saruchera has told his players to make the most out of the marginal advantage they picked in match-day 23 of the Northern Region Soccer League race over the weekend.

The Mabvuku club beat fellow title contenders Black Rhinos 2-1 on Saturday to go two points clear ahead of second-placed Agama, who dropped points in their 1-1 draw at home to Trojan Stars.

For six successive weeks, N’ombayawora and Agama have been tied on points as they battle for promotion into the Premier Soccer League.

But Saruchera’s side, who have spent almost the entire course of the 23 games played so far in the driving seat, took full control of the NRSL marathon when completing a double over Black Rhinos.

The defeat to “Chauya Chipembere” is also not a good sign for the army side who slid further down on their tally, and with 39 points under their belt, now trail N’ombeyawora by 12 points with 15 games still to be played.

Agama have been so consistent, steadily progressing and keeping the leaders under close check but their draw at the weekend has given N’ombeyawora some bit of breathing space with games coming fast and thick.

And Saruchera wants his players to maintain the momentum and make the most of their slender lead going into the decisive phase of the competition.

“The race is absolutely proving to be very competitive,” said Saruchera.

“It’s so intense that you can never say here we are and it’s done. It is not dusted until it is. The other teams are showing a lot of character and determination.

“That is a sign that you can’t afford a slip no matter how slippery the surface can become.

“I am happy my boys are showing their tougher side as well especially managing to record a win over Black Rhinos for the second time in a month or so.

“If you want to hit the finish line first, then you need to knock down those posing the biggest threats.

“I am happy we are managing to do exactly that and now that we have picked a two-point advantage at the top, we need to make sure we maintain or increase that.

“There will be ups and downs as the season hots-up, but most certainly, we need to fight a lot.”

The veteran gaffer who has four NRSL championships under his belt said it will not be easy to win this season’s top prize but his intention remains the same.

“Nothing has changed from what we sat out to achieve in the beginning,” added Saruchera.

“We want to snatch the ticket to the top-flight. Nothing short and nothing more.

“Of course we know for sure that it will not be easy to win it.

“We have a lot of good teams, punching really hard, the likes of Agama, Golden Eagles, Black Rhinos and Harare City.

“They all have the capacity and the fight to pick the points. But well, what we just need is to concentrate on ourselves and see what happens.”