adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
Black Rhinos coach Droment Chirova has conceded that the 2015 Northern Region Division One Soccer League title is now out of their reach, with seven games to go before the end of season.
Relegated from the Premier League last year, Rhinos had hoped for an early return to the top-flight league.
But their chances are now slim as they are occupying fourth position with 43 points and are 19 points behind log leaders Ngezi Platinum.
Ngezi need just six points from seven games to win the title.
“Yes, we are out but we don’t give up. We will continue playing with the same consistence until we finish. We want to improve even position wise.
“Already Ngezi have gone with it (the title) but we have to push until the last game.
“It’s just unfortunate we are not getting goals, on the offensive side we are not impressing but we hope to continue pushing them.
“We will maintain our performance, we want our players to remain with the same focus,” said Chirova.
Black Rhinos lock horns with ZRP Morris this afternoon at Morris and the army side’s coach said it’s a tricky assignment but will give it their best.
“Every game is now tricky, so we will continue pushing our players so that we approach the game with the right attitude.
“We beat them 1-0 in our first meeting, now they are at home but I am confident we can pull a surprise in their backyard. My team is playing well, it’s just unfortunate we have not been getting goals.
“We know they have an experienced coach but we will approach the game with a positive attitude so that we get a good result,” said Chirova.
ZRP Morris are eighth on the table with 39 points and will be hoping for a win after dropping four points in the last two games against ZRP FC and Seven Flames.
While Morris will host Black Rhinos at Morris, their sister club ZRP FC will be away at Rufaro where they will take on Starbill.
Starbill mentor Wilson Mutekede said they need to concentrate on their performance to get a positive result from today’s game against ZRP FC.
“Like I have said before we are trying to make sure that we play well and get results to pull out of the relegation zone.
“We are playing a top team and it’s quite a very important game. They are a good side so we are going in as underdogs but we will try to do our best.
“Every game we play since I was appointed coach is important for us and that is the approach we take. Generally, we don’t have to focus on results, players have to focus on their performance, playing well and when you play well you get the results.
“We are playing a side that has been doing well, so we need to make sure that we give it the necessary attention it deserves,” said Mutekede.
In other matches slated for today, Cargo Carriers hosts Herentals at Gwanzura while DStv Rangers clash against Gunners at Old Hararians.
Today
Blue Swallows v Ngezi (Manyame), Cargo Carriers v Herentals (Gwanzura 3pm), DStv Rangers v Gunners (Old Hararians), ZRP Morris v Black Rhinos (Morris), Starbill v ZRP FC (Rufaro), Zatex v Seven Flames (Alaska), Blue Jets v Lake Harvest (Rimuka), DC Academy v Darwin (Gwanzura 1pm)
Tomorrow
Karoi United v Mushowani (Chikangwe).
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