Northern Region Division One side Black Rhinos assistant coach Ndega Matsika wants his players to keep their stranglehold at the top of the second tier division. The former Premier League team maintained top position on the log standings with a 3-1 win over JMC at Wadzanai Stadium in Shamva on Saturday.
Former Warriors mid-fielder Lazarus Mali Muhoni scored a goal in either half and Brighton Chandisaita converted from the spot as Rhinos came from behind to choke the struggling side.
The win saw the army team opening a three-point lead at the top of the log standings with 32 points as the race for the Premiership title ticket reaches the halfway mark this week.
What is needed right now is consistence. This is a very crucial period of the season and each game is a must win. I believe we have enough depth and experience to keep us going and win the title, said Ndega. Besides Muhoni and Chandisaita, Rhinos are home to other former Premier League players.
They have in their ranks former Highlanders duo of Menard Mupera and goalkeeper Britto Gwere while Lloyd Nyamadzawo was part of the Rhinos squad when they last played in the Premiership some few seasons ago.
Rhinos recent revival, however, can also be credited to the shocking slump of form by their nearest rival and early pacesetters DStv Rangers.
Rangers lost 2-0 to Flame Lily last Wednesday and consequently lost the top position to Rhinos who had beaten Mwana Africa 2-1 on the same day. On Saturday, DStv fell to their second defeat in a row when the lost 2-1 to Eiffel Flats.
Ndega reckons that DStv has a tough run in as compared to his team and believes the next two matches would shape the destiny of the title come season end.
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Rhinos conclude the first half of the season with a clash against 10th-placed Jumbo this week before engaging the same opponent to kick off the second phase of the season. On the other hand, wobbling DStv has a back-to-back fixture against fifth-placed Twalumba.
We are in the position at the moment that we want to be. The next two games against Jumbo will be vital in terms of the boys confidence going forward. We are praying that DStv drops some points in their next matches.
Their next fixture against Twalumba is a bit tough and if they can get take away all the six points then I will salute them, said Ndega.
