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Veronica Gwaze-Sports Reporter
WHEN Herentals take on army side Black Rhinos this afternoon at Baobab Stadium, will simply be a game of plotting, counter-plotting and emotions.
A hunger for bragging rights from both camps will definitely provide the zest to the game which the two camps have come to view and label as a ‘Northern Region derby’ over the years.
The Students’ captain Brighton Majarira said the two sides have unfinished business from way back when the two were still playing in the Northern Region Division One.
“This encounter actually always feels like a Northern Region derby… we have termed it so,” said Majarira.
“From 2015 we have been together, we were promoted around the same time. They got promoted in 2016 and us the following year, so we actually have some unfinished business from the lower league.
“While we seem to understand each other back to back, we are not taking the clash lightly, we cannot afford to be complacent.”
Majarira said the fact that the two sides clash at Baobab, the “derby” will be a clash of two “heavyweights” on neutral ground and that the encounter carries so much more significance than just bagging points.
The Kumbirayi Mutiwekuziva led side currently sits on position 12 on the log standings with six points in five outings while Black Rhinos is on position 14 with four points in the bag.
Despite winning the 1984 and 1987 league titles, Black Rhinos have over the recent past been reduced to a low ranking club that habitually gets relegated, having to fight their way back into the top flight.
Ironically, the “School Boys” have also found themselves swimming deep in the relegation end countless times.
Season 2019 was one of their worst when they narrowly survived the chop after defeating Bulawayo Chiefs 1-0 in their last game of the season to bag the crucial three points that secured them another top-flight term.
Majarira noted they have left no stone unturned as they gun for three points against their perennial nemesis.
This, he said, will also ensure that they remain safe on the log standings.
Picking their first three points of the season after beating ZPC 2-1 at National Sports Stadium boosted the team’s confidence.
“Although we are not home, we are gunning for three points, what we want is to be safe on the log throughout the season, not to fight at the last minute like we sometimes do in the past,” he said.
“Drawing in the past four games mentally affected us, we were now under pressure and had to introspect as a team.
“We were lacking in defence, while we were scoring, we also conceded too much which is a big reason to worry.”
Majarira said the ‘School Boys’ will today dig deep in their defence from the onset with the aim of achieving a clean sheet.
He called for his charges to stick to their game plan if they are to grab maximum points.
“In the past, we have scored more at Baobab than other stadiums so that should be an advantage to us,” he said.
“It is a neutral venue but more of home for us because we perform better here, we need a win.
“After our clash with ZPC Kariba, we actually set a standard when we picked three points so we have an image to play for and to protect.
“Moral has been high in camp… the plan is to give our all, play our hearts out and come back with a win.”
Online Reporter