Sports Reporter
DSTV Rangers coach Masimba Mutame feels his team’s bid to win the Zifa Northern Region Division League might be derailed by Premiership clubs who are chasing his play­ers. Dstv are leading the pack with 29 points from 12 matches and are favourites for

the sole ticket into the Premiership.
They lost a number of key players from their previous campaign but Mutame man­aged to assemble a competitive team that has so far surpassed expectations.
This time last year, DStv were sitting in the middle of the table with 17 points from 12 matches.
Now they are leaders.

“We built a team at the start of the season with the hope of being in the top eight but these youngsters have surprised me with their performance.
“We are now fighting for the championship race and there are some Premiership clubs who want to come and disturb our progress by luring our players.
“These clubs should just leave our players alone and besides l am not releasing any player until the end of season.
“These are just youngsters and if they want young players they should look for their own products and train them not to come and interrupt our project here,” said Mutame.

He reminded his players to retain their focus.
“We are happy with our progress and we want to maintain that winning mentality and avoid complacency as real battles are begin­ning to come.
“If you look at our previous game against DC Academy, it was very tough but my play­ers showed a lot character and dedication which made me to believe in this team that we can have a strong say on the champi­onship’s destiny.

“We have to stay focused and concentrate on our next fixtures just as we have been doing in all these matches,” added Mutame.
Black Rhinos kept pressure on DStv with a 2-1 win over Powre Master at One Com­mando.
Nesbert Saruchera’s men, who came from behind to steal a late, late winner in a tough match, stayed three points behind Dstv.
Twalumba dropped to fifth place after going down 1-0 to Eiffel Flats with Power Master moving to fourth.

Results:

Northern Region:
Black Rhinos 2, Power Master 1; Eiffel Flats 2, Twalumba 1; Scotia 0, Mwana Africa 1; ZPC Kariba 2, Flame Lily 1; DC Academy 0, DStv 1; Skylink 1, Jumbo Giants 2; Banket United 3, JMC Academy 1; Blue Jets 1, AYSA 1;  Eastern Region:
Hippo Valley 4, Gaza Gunners 0; ZRP Masvingo 3, Surrey 2; Triangle 5, Mwenezana 0; Setheo 3, Gaths mine 2; Renco mine 2, Chivhu Stars 0; Ruwa 1, Mkwasine 1; Acturus 0, Tenax 0; Masvingo United 0, Mutare City 1;

Central Region:
Banket 0, Tongogara 2; Newzimsteel 1, Silo 1; MSU 1, Vumbachikwe 6; Zialanda 0, FC Platinum U-19 0; Jessie mine 1, hwahwa 1; Tripple B 2, Airstars 1; Tongogara 0, Strikers 2; Blanket mine 1, Town United 1, Chrome Stars 1, Chapungu 1;