The Sunday Mail
BLACK RHINOS coach Jostein Mathuthu has declared that his outfit is not intimidated by champions Dynamos who pay a visit to Rimuka this afternoon.
DeMbare make the short trip to Kadoma high on confidence following last weekend’s 2-1 win over Caps United.
However, Mathuthu reckons his charges are up to the task.
The much-travelled gaffer got off to a dream start to life in the barracks, having replaced Arthur Tutani, guiding the soldiers to their fifth victory of the season with a stunning 1-0 win away to How Mine.
The win catapulted Black Rhinos from 14th to 12th position on the log, just one place and point above the drop zone.
In Kallisto Pasuwa’s men, the soldiers have a visitor whose pedigree cannot be underestimated and their 30 points tally — just one behind log leaders Highlanders — is clear evidence that they are not ready to relinquish their stranglehold on the league title.
But Mathuthu, whose arrival has aroused an aura of belief at Rhinos, reckons there is no difference in terms of playing personnel between the soldiers and the champions despite the log standings showing exactly the opposite.
“We are not fazed by Dynamos; otherwise we won’t be the rightful people to be at Rhinos.
“There is not much difference between us in terms of playing personnel so we should expect a balanced contest and we are confident we will get something out of this.
“What they have that we don’t is that national outlook in that almost every family in this country has a Dynamos supporter, but on the field of play we can’t say they are invincible,” Mathuthu said.
The former Motor Action and Caps United boss said while they can afford a sigh having navigated their way out of the drop zone, they are not resting as yet and will strive to continue climbing their way to safety.
With 10 goals from 16 rounds of fixtures, Rhinos are the worst attacking team in the league and their ability to survive the chop is premised on Mathuthu transforming them into a formidable attacking force.
That their leading scorers — Norbert Padzarondora, Lincoln Saramaya and Brian Muzondiwa — are tied on two goals each speaks volumes of their sterility in front of goal.
But with such effective attackers like Milton Kureva, who sometimes has been shunted into defensive responsibilities, the soldiers have the requisite weaponry in their amour to cause an upset.
Left-back Ocean Mushure, who missed last week’s Harare derby, is expected to make a comeback and galvanise the defence as Dynamos look to pile the pressure on bitter rivals Highlanders who have a tricky tie against How Mine at Barbourfields.
Bosso are on 31 points, a point better than DeMbare.
Pasuwa’s men will be looking to exorcise the Rimuka ghost, which has seen them failing to beat Rhinos at their adopted home ground.
Today’s fixtures:
CAPS United vs Chicken Inn (NSS – SS9),
Black Rhinos vs Dynamos (Rimuka),
Triangle vs Bantu Rovers (Gibbo),
Buffaloes vs Shabanie (Sakubva),
Highlanders vs How Mine (Barbourfields).
