Black Rhinos captain Ben Ndembe urges focus as promotion race tightens

Black Rhinos captain Ben Ndembe urges focus as promotion race tightens

For all the News from Mashonaland Central, Join One of Our Groups

Black Rhinos captain Ben Ndembe says his side cannot afford to lose focus after moving top of the MCM Estates Northern Region Soccer League table with a 3-0 win over Black Mambas last Friday.

The army side’s latest victory pushed them to 30 points from 16 matches, one point ahead of second-placed Harare City, as the race for the division’s single promotion ticket intensifies.

Ndembe, who was named Man of the Match against Black Mambas, said the club’s promotion ambitions must remain the priority despite the boost of going top of the standings.

“I am delighted with my performance and receiving the Man of the Match award, but the most important thing is that the team won and managed to go to the top of the table,” Ndembe said.

“It gives us confidence, but we know there is still a long way to go. We want to continue performing well and maintain this form because our objective is to fight for promotion.”

To Advertise Inbox Us

The former Premiership side, who were relegated in 2022, are aiming to return to the top flight after narrowly missing out in previous campaigns. Ndembe said consistency will be crucial as pressure builds across the league.

“We have to keep working hard and remain humble. Every game is important and we want to continue collecting points. We know what promotion means to this club and its supporters, so we have to keep pushing,” he said.

Black Rhinos are now preparing for Matchday 17, travelling to Pfupajena Stadium tomorrow to face eighth-placed G&T Mine. Ndembe expects a difficult fixture and warned that being top means little without sustained results.

“There are no easy matches in Division One. We have to prepare well and approach the game with the same seriousness and determination we showed in our last match,” he said.

“Being top of the table does not mean anything if you fail to maintain your standards. We are fully focused on the next game.”

Elsewhere in the title race, Harare City host Cranborne Bullets today at Callies Sports Club, while third-placed Golden Eagles entertain PAM at Muriel Mine Stadium. Fourth-placed Ngezi Stars Under-19 travel to Pfupajena Stadium to play Chingwere FC.

Other fixtures include Banket United vs Chegutu Pirates at Kuwadzana Stadium, High Range vs Zambezi G&C at Gwanzura Stadium, Karoi United vs CP Chemicals at Chikangwe Stadium, and Shamva Mine vs Black Mambas at Shamva Mine Stadium. At the bottom end of the table, Marere host Jumbo Giants at Rimuka Stadium as the relegation fight continues.

With just one point separating the top two sides, the promotion race remains finely balanced, and Ndembe says Black Rhinos must keep taking results one match at a time to end their four-year absence from the Premiership.

Follow Our WhatsApp Channel for all the News from Mashonaland Central – Bindura, Mbire, Guruve, Mount Darwin, Rushinga, Shamva, Mazowe & Muzarabani