The Sunday Mail
A BREEZE of confidence is blowing at One Commando these days.
Everyone – from the armed officers at the gate to the canteen staff inside the heavily guarded barracks – is talking about football with a smile and it’s all because of Black Rhinos.
The Army side are the surprise log leaders halfway through the 2017 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League race.
Apart from an amazing transformation into realistic title contenders, Rhinos have also provided four players to national team assignments and their exploits have earned them a sponsorship deal with funeral services providers Doves.
Rhinos play second placed Ngezi Platinum Stars at Morris Depot on Thursday, and as usual coach Stanford “Stix” Mtizwa is playing mind games.
Mtizwa insists his men are fighting relegation and tips either Ngezi Platinum or FC Platinum to win the 2017 league title.
“In the eyes of people, Black Rhinos are title contenders; but as the technical team, we remain adamant that we are still fighting relegation,” he said.
“Instead, I believe the two platinum teams Ngezi and FC Platinum are the teams to beat. They are very strong and will be difficult to beat in the second half of the season. However, you can’t rule out Dynamos because they are organised now … Chicken Inn and Highlanders are the other title contenders if you ask me.”
The last time Black Rhinos were in the top flight league in the 2014 season, they managed 37 points from 30 games on their way to relegation alongside Shabanie Mine, Bantu Rovers and Chiredzi FC.
Halfway through the 2017 race they lead the log standings with 31 points from nine wins and four draws – an amazing feat for a side which had the relegation candidate sticker stuck on them when the season started on April 1.
Only Ngezi Platinum Stars, How Mine and Harare City have beaten Black Rhinos thus far; while the Army side have claimed the scalps of giants Dynamos, Highlanders and Chicken Inn.
Mtizwa said his team was reaping the rewards of being fit, but explained why he thought the Black Rhinos Class of 2017 – which has the likes of Bruce Horoma, Benjamin Marere, Donald Mudadi and Cliff Chitsamba – cannot be compared to the trailblazing outfit that won the league in 1984 and 1987.
“I can’t compare this current squad with that 1980s team because it would be a mockery to the great talent we used to have back then. There is a big difference in terms of skill. A lot of players then were naturally skilled and the other thing is that players of today lack self motivation,” he said.
Mtizwa is assisted by Black Rhinos legends Maronga “The Bomber” Nyangela, Gift “Shaft” Makoni and Jack Mutandagayi. Former club goalkeeper Britto Gwere, who also had a successful stint at Highlanders, is the ‘keepers coach.
Gwere is the man behind the scenes as Herbert Rusawo has kept 11 clean sheets and conceded just seven goals in 16 matches.
The 2014 PSL Goalkeeper of the Year is expected to start again for the Warriors in the 2018 Chan second round second leg qualifier against Namibia at the National Sports Stadium in Harare this afternoon after making his debut in Windhoek last weekend.
