Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FOR days now, Norton has been humming with a different kind of excitement — one that runs deeper than its usual rhythms of farming and fishing. The town’s pulse has quickened, its streets alive with anticipation. And the reason? Football is finally coming home.
This week, the long-awaited reopening of Ngoni Stadium marks a historic milestone for both Norton and MWOS Football Club — the town’s pride and newly promoted Premier Soccer League side. After months of exile and a rigorous upgrade of their once-outdated facility, MWOS are ready to welcome their community back into their spiritual home.
The stage could not have been set more dramatically. MWOS, unbeaten in their maiden six PSL matches and sitting atop the table with 14 points, will christen their renovated fortress with a clash against the country’s most decorated football club — Dynamos.
“It is a big moment for us, and a game changer,” declared MWOS chief executive officer Gift Chari. “Finally getting to play in front of our loving fans, that means everything to us.”
Since their promotion earlier this year, MWOS were forced to adopt Baobab Stadium as their home base after Ngoni was deemed substandard for PSL matches. The logistical and financial strain was immense.
“Playing home games away from home is always a challenge,” Chari explained. “Baobab may not be too far, but every trip came at a cost — both emotionally and financially.”
The club bore the brunt of stadium hiring fees, and even subsidised travel for their fans, who had to journey weekly to support the team.
“Some fans simply couldn’t afford even the reduced transport fee,” said Chari. “We were losing potential revenue and also denying the team that intimate connection with the local community.”
Still, MWOS rose to the challenge. They collected nine points from home matches at Baobab — toppling the likes of Highlanders, Yadah, and ZPC Kariba. Yet the yearning to return to Ngoni never waned.
Now, with the stadium finally homologated for PSL use, the reunion is set. Chari described the return as “a dream fulfilled” — not just for the club, but for Norton itself.
“All we ever wanted was to have our supporters watch us in the comfort of our community,” he said. “Most of this squad is the same as last year. The fans have walked this journey with us from Division Two. This dream, to watch their team in the PSL at Ngoni, is finally becoming a reality.”
And it couldn’t have come with a more mouth-watering fixture than Dynamos — a club that stirs emotion in every corner of Zimbabwean football.
“This match is more than football. It’s history in the making. We owe this moment to the fans,” said Chari, adding that refurbishment efforts at Ngoni will continue to bring the stadium in line with modern standards.
In Norton, Ngoni is not just a stadium. It is a symbol — of pride, struggle, and shared dreams.
Popular fan Oggrivah Jaure, affectionately known as Ogege 88, captured the sentiment best: “Football brings people together. For a small town like Norton, this means everything. Ngoni has transformed lives — mine included. This is not just a stadium. It’s an emotional home.”
For Simon Zisengwe, a long-time supporter, the matchday rituals are already returning.
“During our Division One days, if you arrived after 1.30pm, there was no way in,” he recalled with a chuckle. “This weekend, I’ll be at the stadium by midday, no doubt.”
The return to Ngoni isn’t just a sporting victory. It’s a boost to the local economy. Vendors, small businesses, and community entrepreneurs are expected to benefit from the influx of football fans and matchday buzz.
As the countdown begins, there’s a collective sense across Norton that something special is about to happen — a homecoming, a celebration, and perhaps even the beginning of a new footballing fairy tale.
Ngoni is back. And it’s ready to roar.
