HARARE - Black Rhinos’ charge towards the Northern Region Division One championship got a major boost after they held second-placed DStv Rangers to an entertaining draw yesterday.

The One Commando-based soldiers had to dig deep to earn the point after Manuel Meleka gave Rangers the lead in the 65th minute with an inch perfect lob over goalkeeper Brito Gwere.

Striker Lot Chiwunga, however, provided Rhinos with the get-out-of jail card when he headed home Wilson Chakanyuka’s cross 12 minutes from time.

With the draw, Chipembere moved to 49 points while Rangers remained in second place, seven points behind.
A Rangers win would have given them a better chance of catching up with Rhinos, whose lead would have been reduced to four points at the top.

Although the soldiers emerged unscathed after confronting their closest rival for promotion, coach Nesbert Saruchera is keeping his feet on the ground.

“It was a balanced game but when we pulled out one defensive midfielder and put in Menard (Mupera) we were in control of the game,” Saruchera said.

“I’m happy with the result today but it’s still too early to talk about the champion. I’ll talk about the championship when they cannot overtake us mathematically.”

Rangers coach Shame Nemasango refused to thrown in the towel.

“I think in the first half it was a 50-50 game but in the first 20 minutes of the second half we were on top of the situation and we managed to score,” Nemasango said.