Online Reporter
Lawrence Moyo
NEWCOMERS MWOS are aware that they must complete a double over their 2024 Northern Region Soccer League rivals, Scottland if they are to have a say in the destiny of the 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title.
The two teams meet in a potentially explosive match at Rufaro Stadium tomorrow in what has been touted as the Match of the Season given what is at stake.
Both Scottland and MWOS are seeking to repeat Black Rhinos’ feat of winning the league title on their first attempt, which the army side achieved in 1984.
Scottland clinched the 2024 NRSL title on their first attempt, beating MWOS to the sole ticket to the Premiership in a nail-biting finish.
MWOS however, were fortunate to capitalise on the Fifa laws which barred ZPC Hwange from joining the Premiership after winning the Southern Region Division One title as there is already ZPC Kariba in the topflight league.
Fifa rules forbid the existence of two clubs with the one sponsor in the same league and MWOS were the first to the ZPC Hwange franchise to join Scottland in the 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League championship.
Now they find themselves battling for the Premiership title on their first attempt although Scottland have the advantage going into the big match tomorrow.
Scottland lead the log standings with 59 points from 30 matches while MWOS are in third place, four points behind.
With three matches remaining after MatchDay 31, MWOS are fully aware that they cannot afford to go seven points behind Scottland whose next match will be against relegated Kwekwe United.
As such, MWOS aim to become the first team to complete a league double over Scottland after winning the reverse fixture 1-0 at Ngoni Stadium in Norton.
MWOS are also seeking to win in Harare for the first time this season after losing on their previous two attempts against Yadah (0-1) at the Heart Stadium and Dynamos (0-1) at Rufaro.
Coach Lloyd Mutasa is aware that Scottland will have a different approach to tomorrow’s game as they acquired five new players during the mid-season transfer window while releasing an equal number.
The five new signings have all had an impact on Scottland’s second half of the season with former Warriors captain Knowledge Musona, Terrence Dzvukamanja and Moses Shidolo being involved a lot more while Mafious Chihweta and Kudha Muyaba have had their contributions as well.
Barring injuries, the five players look set to have roles to play tomorrow and Mutasa is already planning for a completely different experience to what they had in Norton during the first half of the season.
Speaking to Zimpapers yesterday, Mutasa said facing a star-studded team like Scottland makes his life easier as his MWOS players will be inspired to perform and possibly overcome.
“I would be worried facing a lesser opposition because that’s when complacency creeps into the team. However, facing a team of stars like Scottland makes my job easier because the players will be self-motivated to perform given what will be at stake and I expect the same on Saturday.
“Records are meant to be broken, and two games are never the same. We will not be using the reverse fixture to plan for this upcoming match. We are not worried by the high profile players we are likely to face because that is the very reason we are in the league, we are out to challenge the very best,” said Mutasa.
On the fact that MWOS must win to close in on Scottland, Mutasa said he is happy with their current form in which they have kept three clean sheets ahead of a clash with the Premiership’s highest scoring side.
“Destiny is not in our hands as things stand and the only way we can have a say in the destiny of the title is to win on Saturday.
‘‘We have targeted a strong finish to the season by winning all the remaining matches and our current form is encouraging although we have not been scoring many goals lately.
“We have been creating chances and that is a good thing going into the match against Scottland, who have one of the best defences at this stage of the season.
‘‘We just hope to be consistent in our solid defending and hope that our energetic, creative players continue causing problems for the opponents.”
Mathew Masinge