By Onny Gangata
ARMY side Black Rhinos are on course to achieving what could possibly be the most remarkable comeback stories in local football this season after they beat Sheasham 3-2 in a five goal thriller at Bata Stadium.
For most parts of the season, Chauya Chipembere were languishing deep in the murky relegation waters and many had written them off.
But like the soldiers that they are, Rhinos, have somehow defied all odds, resiliently clawing their way back into contention for safety.
Veteran striker, Lot Chiunga, was again in imperious form getting Rhinos’opener 10 minutes into the match, Sheasham captain William Stima restored parity from the spot before Chelsea Nyakope’s sumptuous finish off a Sylon Chikwerengwe free kick restored Chauya Chipembere’s lead on the stroke of half time.
Physiwell Madhazi levelled matters for the construction boys in the second half but it was Valentine Katsande who won it for the army side with nine minutes to go.
The football gods indeed, did smile for the soldiers as other teams in the relegation matrix dropped points yesterday. Yadah went down to Chicken Inn at Luveve, while Triangle dropped points at home to Caps United and ZPC Kariba sharing the spoils with Simba Bhora.
Black Rhinos are now 15th on the log standings just two points behind Yadah who occupy the last safety spot and one match from securing their spot in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League for next season.
“I think this result sees us to the last one,” Black Rhinos coach Saul Chaminuka said after the match.
“The whole of this season we have never won two matches on the trot but we have a chance to do that in our last game. It is now up to the boys to decide whether they want to survive or not,” he added.
Sheasham coach Lizwe Sweswe admitted that his efforts to save the construction boys may actually be an exercise in futility.
“Our chances of surviving relegation are mathematically low,” he told the media, “As a coach, I feel that i have tried my best but we are failing. But it is always good when you fail while trying it is better that way, but there are times you realize there is nothing much that I can do,” Sweswe admitted.
The construction boys who had the vantage point of playing their last three matches on home soil have only managed to collect a single point out of a possible nine.
