Rhinos close to safety

Sport
Black Rhinos brightened their relegation survival after seeing off the challenge of Hwange in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Rimuka Stadium

Black Rhinos . . . . . . (0) 1 Hwange . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 ARMY side Black Rhinos brightened their relegation survival after seeing off the challenge of Hwange in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Rimuka Stadium yesterday.

ALBERT MARUFU in KADOMA

Lot Chiungwa’s 55th minute strike off a Philip Marufu cross ensured maximum points for “Chauya Chipembere”. Yesterday’s win saw Black Rhinos taking their points tally to 37 and they now have to win their last match against Monomotapa in Harare to ensure safety.

With three teams — Motor Action, Monomotapa and Tripple B — already preparing for life in Division One, the battle is now on for the fourth slot.

Black Rhinos coach Arthur Tutani was a relieved man after the match, but quickly pointed out that the battle was far from over. “I am happy with the result, but it will not be over until the last day of the season. We have to win the game against Monomotapa and also hope that the other teams that are fighting relegation lose,” he said.

Hwange coach Nation Dube blamed his players for letting in a “soft” goal. “We played very well and were just unfortunate to concede that goal,” he said. In a match played on a bumpy pitch, both teams struggled to get neat passes flowing.

However, Rhinos’ Chiungwa could have got the lead for his side in the seventh minute, but headed weakly at goalkeeper Hebert Rusawo.

Marufu, a thorn in the flesh of Hwange defenders throughout the match, saw his cross from the left being fluffed by an unmarked Chiungwa in the 17th minute before Hwange’s Nkosana Siwela side-netted in the 33rd minute.

The second half introduction of Wilson Chakanyuka swung the match in Rhinos’ favour and it came as no surprise when they found the opener 10 minutes after half time.

Chakanyuka whipped in a dangerous cross from the left that eluded the entire Hwange defence and was met on the blind side by the industrious Marufu whose hard and low cross was tapped home by Chiwunga.

The army side could have increased the lead in the 69th minute, but Marufu blazed his effort over the bar. Veteran Farai Vimisai could not salvage a point for his side when he shot over the bar from close range.