Is this their season? . .MWOS still unbeaten and unshaken

Innocent Kurira, Zimpapers Sports Hub

THE 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season has a new darling, and they are rocking the boat. Unbeaten, unshaken, and defying every pre-season prediction, MWOS FC are undoubtedly the most electrifying surprise package the league has seen in years. Their relentless march to stay the top of the table makes a pit stop away to Greenfuel in a fixture laden with potential pitfalls.

Yet, even as the excitement builds, seasoned football analyst and journalist Lawrence Mangenje urges a measured approach.

“At this point in time, it’s too early to talk about whether or not they can win the title. But, admittedly, it’s also very difficult not to include them in the title matrix considering how they have fared in their debut campaign,” he said.

The Norton-based side has enjoyed an extraordinary 12 game unbeaten run, a remarkable feat for a club that was, surprisingly, preparing for Division One football just before acquiring the ZPC Kariba franchise.

“What makes their fairytale run even more impressive is the fact that they retained the bulk of the squad which did duty in the Northern Region Soccer League last year. That for me has been their strength because there is some kind of continuity and a case of players knowing each other well, which is very key in football,” said Mangenje.

Coach Lloyd Mutasa continues to insist their focus is solely on avoiding relegation, yet their impressive statistics tell a completely different story.

“What has impressed me the most about them is the manner in which they have defended. Their back three of Valentine Katsande, Innocent Zambezi and Tafadzwa Nyabunze has been resolute, conceding just four goals in 12 matches.

“Stopping Highlanders, Dynamos, FC Platinum, Herentals and Simba Bhora from scoring are performances you would expect from a team which has its sights on the championship, but well, in their case, as Mutasa has repeatedly said, is fighting for survival,” said Mangenje.

Midfielders Tinotenda Mutyambizi and Mathew Murambiwa have been crucial in shielding the defence, with goalkeeper Martin Mapisa now topping the clean sheets chart. In attack, Billy Veremu has rediscovered his confidence, notably after scoring a hat-trick against Kwekwe United.

“Judging by his finishing, especially when he scored that hat-trick, you are warning a player whose confidence levels are high,” said Mangenje.

Fixtures:
Saturday
Kwekwe United v TelOne (Bata Stadium), GreenFuel v MWOS (GreenFuel Arena), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Dynamos (Baobab Stadium), Bikita Minerals v ZPC Kariba (Gibbo Stadium), Yadah Stars v FC Platinum (Heart Stadium)

Sunday
Triangle United v Manica Diamonds (Gibbo Stadium), CAPS United v Simba Bhora (Rufaro Stadium), Highlanders v Herentals College (Barbourfields Stadium)