Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda-Zimpapers Sports Hub
SLOWLY, they are gliding towards a historical achievement, one that could also leave their coach’s name etched in the domestic Premier Soccer League folklore.
Norton-based log leaders and debutants, MWOS, are now five games away from matching a record set by ZPC Kariba over a decade ago.
ZPC Kariba went 19 games unbeaten in their debut season in 2014, and that’s a Premiership record that has gone for 11 years unmatched.
MWOS, who have surprised many, including themselves, with a whirlwind start to life in the top-flight have now gone for 14 games without tasting defeat.
The Punters still have to play Triangle United, CAPS United and 2023 champions Ngezi Platinum Stars before the first half of the 2025 Premiership season concludes.
They would then need to avoid defeat in the opening two matches of the second half of the season to match ZPC Kariba’s record while stretching that run to 20 would see them set a new bar.
It looks like a daunting task for MWOS, who travel to the Lowveld to face Genesis Mangombe’s Triangle United at Gibbo on Sunday.
A home match against Harare giants CAPS United at Ngoni will follow in midweek before MWOS conclude their first half of the season with a Mashonaland West derby against Ngezi Platinum Stars at Baobab the following Sun-day.
MWOS coach Lloyd Mutasa has been diplomatic about his team’s special season, insisting The Punters are still fighting against relegation.
But the former FC Platinum and Dynamos gaffer is also keeping an eye on ZPC Kariba’s 19-game unbeaten record.
“Yes, of course, history has to be made and records are there to be broken, if we can do it why not,” Mutasa told Zimpapers Sports Hub yesterday.
Added the former Green Fuel coach: “We would want to match the record set by ZPC Kariba years ago.
“We would want to try as much as we can to break the record as well. So, we’re going to go and give it a fight.”
Then under the guidance of Saul Chaminuka, ZPC Kariba went for 19 rounds without tasting defeat in 2014. They were only stopped by Chapungu United on Matchday 20 but that didn’t deter Kauya Katuruturu from challenging for what would have been a historical league title. Unfortunately, ZPC Kariba went on to lose the championship race to Kalisto Pasuwa’s Dynamos on the last day.
MWOS are now trying to emulate or surpass ZPC Kariba’s feat.
But a stern Gibbo test awaits them on Sunday. Triangle might be second from bottom on the log, but the Sugar-Sugar Boys can be stubborn at Gibbo, where some giants have been slayed over the years.
It will be MWOS’ first PSL match at Gibbo and how Mutasa’s men will react to the Lowveld conditions will be critical.
“It’s another tough encounter for us,” said Mutasa.
“If you look at Triangle they were promoted the previous season, so they are just like us, we’re coming from the lower ranks.
“So, it’s going to be a tough and tricky encounter, but we will try as much as we can to be consistent in terms of grinding the results.
The MWOS dressing room has been buoyed by accolades for chief striker Billy Veremu and Mutasa who are the reigning Player and Coach of the Month for May. Veremu has scored nine goals and is the joint top-scorer in the league with TelOne goal-poacher Washington Navaya. MWOS lead the log table with 30 points, four ahead of second-placed Simba Bhora.
Scottland are third with 23 points but the Mabvuku side are likely to get three points from their abandoned match against Chicken Inn which is now being determined by Doreen Gapare’s PSL disciplinary committee.
