Black Rhinos to reinforce squad

SURPRISE Premiership mid-season log leaders Black Rhinos are set to sign three high-profile players within the next few days as they look to strengthen their side for the resumption of the league campaign in two weeks’ time.

Chauya Chipembere did themselves a big favour after they beat winless Tsholotsho 3-0 on Sunday to go to the break leading the standings on 31 points.

And the army team are eager to maintain the momentum as they have since shifted their pre-season target of avoiding relegation to a top-four finish.

Club secretary-general, Camble Sithole, said his team’s negotiations with the potential targets were at an advanced stage.

“We are very happy to be occupying pole position midway through the season in a league which is very competitive,” he said.

“Obviously it is a pressure position that we find ourselves in at this juncture. But we are very happy with the progress so far. We were aiming at finishing the first half of the marathon at a respectable position away from the relegation puzzle and we are happy we have achieved that.

“At the moment we are pursuing the signatures of some high-profile players in the league to remain competitive in the second stanza.

“Obviously, as we take others aboard, we will also have to drop a corresponding number. We have already identified those who will be dropped, but we cannot divulge their names at the moment.’’

Sithole said the mid-season break could not have come at a better time.

“We had a depleted squad towards the end of the first half of the season. That is one of the factors which contributed to a bad patch which we went through before rebounding against Tsholotsho.

“Wonder Kapinda, Wilson Chakanyuka, Jameson Mukombwe and Farai Banda are all injured and we welcome the break as we hope the players will recover during that period.

“We believe that if the team plays well, with fit players, then we can achieve a top-four finish,” he said.