Mandiranga, Chigwida combine to cut Rhinos’ lead to one point in gripping NRSL title race
Emmanuel Mandiranga’s 67th minute strike and a heroic penalty save from Tafadzwa Chigwida were enough as Harare City beat log leaders Black Rhinosin a Week 28 MCM Estates Northern Region Soccer League encounter played at at Callies Sports Club yesterday.
The result has blown the title race wide open with 14 games left to play.
Rhinos went into this top of the table clash four points clear at the top, and not long ago they were sitting eight points clear at the apex.
But football moves fast in the MCM Estates Northern Region Soccer League. By full time, that advantage had been slashed to a single point. Mandiranga’s goal didn’t just put City ahead, it sent a statement that the championship is far from over.
The drama peaked in the 82nd minute when Rhinos were awarded a penalty with a chance to equalize. Up stepped the army side looking to restore their cushion. But Sunshine Boys goalkeeper Tafadzwa Chigwida stood tall and denied the spot kick, preserving the lead and securing all three points for City in front of a tense Callies crowd.
Black Rhinos FC remain top on 53 points from 28 games, built on the best defense in the league having conceded just 12 goals all season. For most of the campaign they looked untouchable, but today’s defeat at Callies showed there is pressure, and there is now a team right behind them that smells blood.
The Sunshine Boys are now on 52 points and have all the momentum. With 30 goals scored and only 14 conceded, they are balanced, dangerous, and now just one result away from going top. Between Mandiranga’s composure in front of goal and Chigwida’s brilliance between the sticks, City showed they have both the firepower and the fight to go all the way. The gap that once looked like a mountain is now a single step.
Harare City coach Try Ncube expressed delight with the result but insisted his side must remain grounded.
“I am happy that we managed to win against a better side. There are still more games to go, so we have to remain focused. Our attention is now on the next away match against Chingwere,” said Ncube.
Black Rhinos coach Wilbert Sarireni admitted his side paid the price for failing to convert their chances but remained confident they can bounce back.
“We take each game as it comes. This one is now behind us and we focus on the remaining fixtures without pressure. We hope to learn from our mistakes by making sure we convert the chances that we create,” said Sarireni.
With 14 matches remaining, the message is simple. There are no easy games left. Every fixture from here on will feel like a final. Rhinos will be desperate to steady the ship and reassert their authority, while City will be flying on confidence and belief that they can overtake the army side.
What was once an eight-point lead is now a one-point contest, and the MCM Estates Northern Region Soccer League title race has never looked tighter.