MWOS gets ZPC Hwange’s slot

STILL reeling from having three teams relegated from the top-flight league last season, Zifa Southern Region has suffered another blow after Division One champions ZPC (Hwange) sold their franchise to Northern Region Division One runners-up, MWOS.

The move means the region will only have Highlanders and Chicken Inn in the Premiership after the relegation of Arenel, Bulawayo Chiefs and Hwange last season.

This is a big setback for the region, which has been struggling to maintain its presence in the top-flight league.

After 35 years of unsuccessful bids, ZPC Hwange eventually won the Zifa Southern Region championship last season under Mebelo Njekwa.

However, their celebrations have been shortlived as their franchise had to be sold because of a club licensing rule, which forbids teams owned by the same organisation from participating in the same league.

MWOS, whose coach Lloyd Mutasa is on attachment in Turkey, will not be relocating to the Southern Region.

Instead, they will partner with ZPC Hwange on community projects and assist them in Division One as part of the agreement.

The partnership between MWOS and ZPC Hwange is expected to benefit both parties.

MWOS will gain a presence in the Premier Soccer League while ZPC Hwange will receive support in their community projects and development

Zifa Southern Region spokesperson Blessing Mbwanda, expressed disappointment at the development, stating that the region would have loved to see ZPC Hwange play in the Premiership. However, he acknowledged that the region and its clubs need to plan ahead to avoid similar setbacks in the future.

“We haven’t received any communication from ZPC Hwange. It’s an unfortunate situation to have them not playing in the Premier League. We would have loved to see them play in the Premiership, especially after the number of years they have spent trying to achieve this dream. It’s a wake-up call for the region and the clubs to ensure they plan ahead and avoid such situations,” said Mbwanda.

MWOS are looking forward

“We are beyond excited to announce our strategic football development partnership with ZPC Hwange FC, which will see MWOS FC gaining participation rights into the PSL this year. As we gear up for our Premier Soccer League debut in 2025, we’re not just aiming for the stars—we’re committed to uplifting grassroots football across Zimbabwe. Together, we’ll invest in youth programmes, enhance facilities and empower local talent to shine on the big stage,” the club wrote in a statement.

Despite efforts by the ZPC workers committee to offer the Premiership slot to relegated Hwange, the club eventually decided to sell the franchise to MWOS.

The deal was finalised after weeks of negotiations, with MWOS acquiring the rights to compete in the Premiership while ZPC Hwange will get financial support for a junior development programme.

Talks between ZPC Hwange and MWOS began last year after it became clear that the power company could not have two teams in the Premiership, according to licensing regulations.

PSL clubs’ distribution:

Northern Region: CAPS United, Dynamos, Herentals, Ngezi, Mwos, Scottland, Simba Bhora, Yaddah, ZPC Kariba

Eastern Region: Bikita, Greenfuel, Manica Diamonds, Triangle

Central Region: Kwekwe, FC Platinum, Telone

Southern Region: Chicken Inn, Highlanders