Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
FC Hunters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
MWOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
IT’S a shame that the goals that could have glossed this absorbing 2026 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season opener didn’t arrive at Rufaro yesterday.
But besides that, the match was a good way of starting off a season that has been hyped so much due to the sheer investment which has been thrown around by each of the 18 teams in the pre-season.
It was a display of how football should be played; clean tackles, flawless passing, openness and almost zero crude play; only MWOS’ substitute Reginald Chinemo got a yellow.
Fans came, in numbers, at least for match of the magnitude pitting MWOS and FC Hunters.
But the result was more in favour of the Premiership debutants FC Hunters whose coach Nesbert “Yabo” Saruchera took with a clap of hands, although they could have, in hindsight taken all the three from this encounter.
“I think we did well in our first match coming from Division One,” Saruchera said.
“It could have been three, but we are happy with the performance of the team and the guys as well. Some of the youngsters we put in there showed their class. We are going to throw in more.
“This was a very good match. There wasn’t any delays. Both teams wanted to play. We had good chances to bury the game but I am very happy.”
While MWOS, runners-up from last season looked to pin down the newcomers in the initial stages with Billy Veremu and Marceline Mlilo threatening, FC Hunters did instantly establish themselves in the game.
They were detailed in every respect and very purposeful in the attacking third.
And half-an-hour into the game, Benjamin Goliath received a layup pass from Elie Ilunga while unmarked in the box.
But Goliath, in a total display of inexperience, looked down and with MWOS goalkeeper Francis Tizayi sprawling on the ground, the striker hit it against the ‘keeper.
And just like that, the chance exited the window.
They would fashion out more with Ilunga and Praise Tonha in the second half, but both were a bit tighter than Goliath’s.
At the other end, Veremu could have opened the scoring for MWOS after he wrestled the ball and ran down the flank only to go for the near post instead of squaring it up.
His effort rattled the upright.
The second half unravelled more like the first had but neither team could find the breakthrough.
MWOS coach Lloyd Mutasa said: “It was a good game of football. I think we played it well as our first game. But we didn’t give the intensity that we probably wanted but we need to take it since it’s our first game.
“And also, I would want to applaud the opposition team for playing well. The game was exciting and it’s good for the fans.”
Teams:
FC Hunters: Kelvin Shangiwa, Ronald Pfumbidzai, Rasmarley Chipango, Junior Meya, Emmanuel Zinyama, Brighton Christopher (Denver Mukamba 79th min), Praise Tonha, Tadiwanashe Huni, Ordain Sira (Vusa Ngwenya 62nd min), Elie Ilunga (Michael Tapera 62nd min), Benjamin Goliath (King Nadolo 70th min)
MWOS: Francis Tizayi (Tedious Baye 46th min), Clive Kwangwari (Reginald Chinemo 64th min), Tafadzwa Nyabunze, Valentine Katsande, Innocent Zambezi, Marceline Mlilo, Billy Veremu (Wilson Mensah 53rd min), Malvern Mudzuka (Principe Magondo 79th min), Mathew Murambiwa, Arthur Banda (Jeremiah Makangira 53rd min), Tinotenda Mutyambizi
No, man! This is just recycling old players when I look at the Hunters team. There is no investment to talk about when a team has players like Mukamba and Pfumbidzayi in the line-up. Let us give our football some respect please? Scottland did the same thing, firef all youngsters that brought them Premiership and employed old horses, the Billiats,the Musonas, the Dzukamanjas, the Moyos etc. Hard Rock followed suit as well. When are we going to realise that we are destroying our football by trying to get quick results? There wasn’t any young player that stood out last season and when one looks at the so called soccer stars of the year for 2025, the majority are in their mid 30s. This year we will see a few more in their late 30s. In 2027 best players will be in their early 40s. Where are we going with all this nonsense?