Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
TICKETS were sold out by yesterday and it’s now confirmed Ngoni Stadium will be full to capacity when log leaders MWOS host rivals Scottland in a high-stakes Castle Lager Premier Soccer League top-of-the-table showdown tomorrow.
In what has been billed as the game of the season so far, the emerging rivalry between MWOS and Scottland, manufactured in the Northern Region Soccer League and now being delivered in the Premiership, has captured the imagination even before a ball has been kicked.
Even neutrals are praying that referees, who have largely been poor so far this term, do not spoil this encounter, which could turn out to be a huge advertisement of the beauty that the domestic Premiership is and ought to be.
Ironically, Dynamos might be hosting Highlanders in the latest edition of the storied Battle of Zimbabwe Premiership showdown, but somehow, that huge encounter has been pushed into the shade by a pair of newboys, who have taken the top-flight by storm, if not for their order and decorum, it has been for their exciting and consistent performances.
MWOS have hosted four PSL games at Ngoni since the Norton venue was homologated for top-flight matches in what was a momentous occasion.
Even Dynamos have been to Ngoni, with a huge crowd also witnessing that game.
But there is no doubt this one against Scottland is the biggest of them all.
The two teams’ rivalry, which was born out of a contentious battle for the Northern Region Soccer League championship last season, eventually won by Scottland, has spilled into the Premier Soccer League, and the fans are salivating.
Both sets of players are relishing the opportunity to feature in this new rivalry.
More so for reigning Soccer Star of the Year, Walter Musona, the Scottland skipper who was born and raised in Norton.
He might be a local boy, but Musona is yet to play a Premiership match in Norton.
He will finally do so tomorrow, when he leads Scottland into battle against rivals MWOS, before a sell-out crowd at Ngoni.
“It’s a great feeling,” an excited Musona told Zimpapers Sports Hub yesterday.
“This is my first PSL game in Norton, my hometown; this is huge.”
The 29-year-old star forward has featured for several PSL clubs, including former champions FC Platinum, Simba Bhora and the now-defunct Motor Action, but he has never played a top-flight match in Norton, his hometown.
Musona also had stints in foreign leagues, including a stay at South African Premiership side Polokwane City.
In a previous interview with this publication, a few days after Ngoni was certified fit to host PSL matches, Musona said he was happy to see the top-flight games finally coming to Norton.
“It’s good for Nortonians (people of Norton), they can now watch the PSL matches.”
The Warriors winger is one of several players bred in the Norton suburb who are now plying their trade in the local Premier Soccer League.
CAPS United skipper Eric Manokore, Dynamos forward Valentine Kadonzvo and TelOne winger Blessing Sahondo are some of the PSL players who were groomed in Norton.
Dynamos captain Emmanuel Jalai and ex-FC Platinum defender Raphael Muduwiwa, former DeMbare stars Vint Fulawo and the Harare giants’ assistant coach Takesure Chinyama also have roots in the suburb. Walter’s elder brother, Knowledge, might not have played in the domestic Premiership, having been catapulted into the South African top-flight straight from Aces Youth Soccer Academy, but he has his roots firmly anchored in Norton.
And because of the town’s rich connection with local football, Norton is expected to reverberate tomorrow. According to MWOS officials, there will be tight security at the venue, given the magnitude of this clash. Third-placed Scottland are four points behind MWOS, who lead the 18-team PSL table with 27 points from 13 matches.
However, Mabviravira still have a game in hand that has yet to be decided by the PSL disciplinary committee, following the premature end of their clash against Chicken Inn at Rufaro. The game was halted following protests by the Chicken Inn players and supporters who were unhappy with the penalty awarded to the hosts by referee Quedsani Dirwai. Social-media video replays confirmed that Chicken Inn’s Dominic Jaricha used his arm to block Musona’s goal-bound volley. The verdict, however, now lies with the PSL Disciplinary Committee.
What’s clear is this, the Flamboyance Derby is more than just a match. It’s Norton’s rising football culture on full display.
It’s unfinished business from a lower league spilling onto the elite stage. And it’s happening in real time, in front of our eyes, and live on ZTN Prime (Channel 294 on DStv).
