Banket land late blow on Rhinos as title race heats up

The MCM Estates Northern Region Soccer League title race was thrown wide open again on Saturday as Matchday 30 delivered late drama, dropped points for the top two, and a massive win in the relegation battle with 12 games now left before the season ends.

Army side Black Rhinos suffered a potentially damaging 1-0 loss away at Banket United in a result that came a minute before fulltime.

The match looked destined for a goalless draw and a point that would have kept Rhinos comfortable at the summit, but Banket struck late to snatch all three points and dent the log leaders’ title charge.

Despite the defeat, Rhinos remain top on 56 points from 30 games, but their cushion is now paper thin with just 12 matches to play.

Fortunately for them, closest rivals Harare City failed to capitalise.

The Sunshine Boys were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at home by Golden Eagles, a result that leaves City on 53 points, three behind Rhinos.

It was a missed opportunity for City to close the gap and put real pressure on the army side with the run-in now in full swing.

The big winners of the day were the dark horses. FC Oden, coached by former Warriors captain Willard Katsande, recorded a vital 1-0 win over G&T Mining to move onto 49 points.

The victory puts Oden just seven points behind leaders Black Rhinos, and level on points with third-placed Chingwere FC.

Chingwere themselves could only manage a 0-0 draw away to Jumbo Giants, meaning Oden have now pulled level with them in the race for promotion.

With 12 games to go, Katsande’s men are firmly in the conversation and have real belief.

Elsewhere, Black Mambas beat Cranborne Bullets 2-1, while Highrange and CP Chemicals played out a goalless draw.

Shamva Mine and Ngezi U19 also shared the spoils in a 0-0, and MWOS U19 were held by Karoi United in another stalemate.

At the bottom, Marere FC gave their survival hopes a huge boost with a vital 2-1 win over Batanai.

The victory sees Marere move off the foot of the table for the first time in a long while and climb to 21st on 29 points, just one behind Shamva Mine on 30 points.

Batanai are now rooted bottom with 28 points, with 12 games left and the relegation fight tightening, every point from here will be crucial.

What it means heading into the final 12 games is that Black Rhinos are still top but wobbling, Harare City couldn’t take advantage, and FC Oden under Katsande are now genuine outsiders.

In the drop zone, Marere’s win has blown the relegation battle wide open again.