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Jostein Mathuthu

Caroline Magenga Sports Reporter
BLACK Rhinos coach Jostein Mathuthu says he will not underestimate the challenge in his hands when they face Triangle in the quarter-finals of the Chibuku Super Cup at Ascot this afternoon.Following two previous goalless deadlock encounters in league fixtures, both teams will go onto the pitch knowing there has to be a winner this time around.

Rhinos made a promising start in this 16-team tournament when they ousted league champions Dynamos with a 1-0 victory while Triangle needed a penalty shoot-out to see off hosts Hwange in their opening match.

Mathuthu said the Lowveld-based outfit are a tricky and competitive team.

“It’s going to be a tough one. It’ll be a match and half and as a team we do not underestimate them.

“They are a good side, very challenging and are currently in the final of another cup game so we know they will make it very difficult for us tomorrow (today).

“This second half of the season they have been playing very well but naturally going into the game we will be looking for a win; no one goes into a game expecting to lose.

“We are confident we have prepared thoroughly but this is a cup game in which anything can happen but we are looking for win today,” Mathuthu said.

The army outfit will be missing key centre-back Obey Gada who is on suspension for the red card he received after exchanging blows with Dynamos striker Roderick Mutuma in the first round.

Mathuthu, however, still believes in his charges.

“My only concern going into the game is that we will be missing our centre-back who is still under suspension after he was given the red card in our game against Dynamos for getting into a fight but regardless of that we are confident the team selected will do well,” said Mathuthu.

Meanwhile, Triangle assistant coach, Gift Muzadzi, said playing Black Rhinos will be tricky as both teams have not recorded some wins in their back-to-back clashes.

The former Dynamos and national team goal-minder said today’s game will be challenging to both teams as they look to progress to the last four.

“We are well prepared for the game and we have the right attitude to play this game. We are serious and we will treat the game with caution as they have been getting some good results of late just like us.

“Since we are playing in the same league we have great respect for the army side but the purpose is obvious — to proceed in the tournament. We hope we are going to come out victors after the match.

“We are well prepared for the game and we have a full strength squad which can do the job for us,” Muzadzi said.

Triangle qualified for the quarter-finals after they beat Hwange 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out while Black Rhinos knocked out Harare giants Dynamos 1-0 at Gwanzura to secure their ticket for today’s game.

The team which will win today’s encounter will join FC Platinum, Harare City and Highlanders in the semi-finals.