Tinaye Agere
Sports Editor
JUST like the 2022 campaign that was characterised by a riveting race for promotion and tense survival battles, the Northern Region Soccer League (NRSL) has got off to a flyer this term with some lively clashes that have caught the eye.
Although the league is yet to reach the halfway stage, the busy month of June could have a huge bearing on the direction the championship race will take.
Most of the teams that are tipped to win the title come face to face this month, in what Black Mambas coach John “Toto’’ Ncube described as a period to “separate the boys from men”.
Last year, the gripping race involving Simba Bhora, Herentals U-20 and Golden Eagles went to the wire.
Simba Bhora eventually won the sole ticket to the Premiership.
Unlike last season, more teams — including Herentals U-20 and Golden Eagles — seem to be in the title race.
Current leaders Mambas, newboys MWOS, Ngezi Platinum Stars U-19 and Harare City — who were relegated from the Premiership — are also in the mix.
Potential party poopers and perennial campaigners include Trojan Stars, Chegutu Pirates, Commando Bullets and Banket United.
Mambas, the only team yet to taste defeat after 13 rounds of action, are perched at the top with 29 points, four more than Herentals U-20.
The two teams featured in a goalless draw in a mid-week showdown at Morris Depot that kept fans on the edges of their seats.
On the same day that Mambas and Herentals U-20 were drawing, Golden Eagles were slipping from second place to fourth, behind Herentals U-20 and MWOS, after their new coach Mark Mathe suffered his first defeat when they lost 1-0 to Harare City at Motor Action Sports Club.
Mathe, who took over from Gilbert Mushangazhike, had won three and drawn two games to revive the Eagles’ title bid.
The seasoned coach, though disappointed with the manner in which they failed to apply themselves in the final third against Harare City, contends that the championship chase could be too early to call.
“I felt we were a bit timid in front of goal, and after this defeat, we just have to go back and pick ourselves up and be ready to get back to winning ways when we play Come Again on Sunday (today),” Mathe said.
He also spoke about the intriguing fixtures lined up for June.
“Psychologically, these games are important because you always want to win over those you see as your biggest rivals, but I must add that this league is a marathon and from what I am seeing, it cannot be defined by a few games.”
Monkey off his back
Some believe this could be the season Mambas’ gaffer Ncube “gets the monkey off his back’’ and lead the police side back into the Premiership.
In the last few seasons, he has had to live in the shadows of his rivals, who include Nesbert Saruchera and Arthur Tutani.
He, however, remains humble despite his team’s unbeaten run.
Mambas recently beat Commando Bullets 3-0, before drawing against Herentals.
But they have some tricky assignments against MWOS this afternoon, Chegutu Pirates on June 17 and a tough battle against Golden Eagles at Ellis Robins on June 25.
“We have to show character in June and beyond,” said Ncube.
“We have to win games against top teams like MWOS, Eagles, Herentals and Trojan to prove our mettle. We had a good pre-season and we also recruited some good youngsters.
“We also have senior guys like Zivanayi Mhanda, Kelvin Kavhumbura (captain), Tendai Chininga, Collin Kadzinga and Leroy Ndlovu, and they have been guiding the youngsters. To their credit, the players have been working hard.”
Ncube, who is a former Mambas player, lauded his backroom staff for ensuring that “Warumwa Warumwa” become the pacesetters.
“Although I have been around this league for a while and have the experience, this year, I also got Edmore Hamandishe (goalkeepers’ trainer) and Guthrie Chipuka (strength and conditioning coach), who have added value since arriving from Prisons, and they have helped to make sure we have done well in our games.”
MWOS have not hidden their ambitions to gun for honours.
In Lloyd Mutasa, they also boast an experienced coach who has worked in Division One leagues in the Eastern and Central regions.
Mutasa, a veteran of many Division One battles, also has a knack of helping teams win promotion.
The former Dynamos coach, however, wants his MWOS outfit to “take it on a step-by-step basis”.
“If we want to challenge for honours, we must be able to beat the top teams on our own so that we don’t give them an advantage,” Mutasa said.
“The boys and the management are showing faith in me and it has made the job easier in trying to influence the boys that it’s doable; more so with how eager the majority want to learn
“With God all things are possible.”
Online Reporter