Online Reporter
Tendai Chara
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FOR the better part of the week, Weddington Chinyan’anya, the Black Rhinos coach, has been taking his strikers through drills aimed at maximising the scoring opportunities they create.
Rhinos, currently third on the MCM Estates Northern Region Soccer League (NRSL) log, will today host log leaders, Ngezi Under-19, at Commando Barracks.
Ngezi have collected 20 points, with Rhinos on 19.
After 11 rounds, Ngezi have won five, drawn five and lost once. Their strikers have fired in a total of 14 goals, the highest in the NRSL so far.
Rhinos have won the same number of matches, drawing four times and losing twice. However, their biggest weakness has been their strikeforce, which has often failed to trouble opponents consistently—having scored no more than two goals in any single match so far.
Chinyan’anya says he has been working hard to fix that problem.
“I am not happy with my strikers’ conversion rate. After 11 matches, we have failed to score more than two goals in a single match and this is worrying,” the veteran Division One coach said.
The Rhinos defence, though, has been a bright spot, having conceded only five goals this season. Their opponents have conceded six.
Chinyan’anya also took note of the difference between the two clubs.
“Ngezi are on top of the log and have scored more goals than us,” he said.
“However, to me, this does not mean anything. We do not live in the past and this game is a new game altogether.”
Ngezi will want to win and consolidate their top spot, while Rhinos will be eager to close the gap and keep their own challenge alive.
In other matches, Harare City, still smarting from two consecutive defeats, entertain Highrange at Callies Sports Club.
Try Ncube, Harare City’s coach, knows that any further slip could dent the former PSL side’s hopes of winning the NRSL championship even more.
Zambezi Gas&Coal are at home facing CP Chemicals at Centenary Sports Club.
On the 8th position, CP Chemicals have started to regain their form after a slow beginning that saw them languish at the bottom of the table.
Bottom-placed Shamva Mine host 13th-placed FC Oden at Shamva Mine Stadium, while Jumbo Giants clash against Cranborne Bullets at Jumbo Stadium.
Both Jumbo and Cranborne are positioned in the middle of the pack.
On-fire Marere are away to face Banket United at Kuwadzana Stadium in Banket. Marere recently stunned Harare City 2-1, but the Sanyati-based side remains stuck second from bottom. A win over Banket would help them climb out of the danger zone.
Chegutu Pirates lock horns with MWOS U19 at Pfupajena Stadium.
Second-placed Chingwere travel to Muriel Mine for a date against PAM, with Karoi United hosting G&T Mining at Chikangwe Stadium.
Batanai are at home facing Black Mambas at Trojan Mine Stadium, while Golden Eagles host Rangers at Ellis Robbins High School in Harare.
