‘Defeat is part of football’

Curtworth Masango

Zimpapers Sports Hub

NGEZI Platinum goalkeeper Darlington Murasiranwa has challenged his teammates to respond positively after their unbeaten start to the 2026 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season came to an end with a defeat to Dynamos at Rufaro on Saturday.

The loss was Ngezi’s first of the campaign after a strong opening half of the season that had seen the Mhondoro-based side establish themselves among the league’s leading contenders.

While disappointed by the result, Murasiranwa believes the true measure of the team will be how they react in the coming weeks.

“It’s part of football. It’s not always going to be perfect, it’s a roller coaster,” said Murasiranwa.

“But it’s about how you get back up after a loss like that. Now we go back to the drawing board and focus on next week.”

The defeat ended a remarkable run in which Ngezi had gone 14 league matches without tasting defeat, a record built largely on being ruthless in front of goal.

Murasiranwa, who joined the club after spending several years developing in Canada, said the focus has already shifted to correcting mistakes ahead of the next assignment.

“We will go back, analyse the positives and negatives, work on the negatives in training, fix those, and get back to our winning ways,” he said.

“It’s tough, but that’s football for you.”

Despite the setback, Ngezi remain firmly in the title conversation. Murasiranwa has been one of the club’s stand-out performers this season, which is his second campaign playing in the local top-flight.

“It’s been one hell of a ride, a roller coaster. I have experienced a lot,” he said.

“Credit to the goalkeeper union we have at Ngezi, to Chang Marion for guiding me, and to Coach Max (Maxwell Nyamupangedengu). He played in this league, so that experience helped me.

“It’s been a great ride, for sure.”

Ngezi Platinum are currently in fifth position, with 26 points, two points shy of joint log leaders Hardrock, Scottland, Herentals College and CAPS United.