Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda-Zimpapers Sports Hub
NORTON-based side, MWOS might have punched above their weight in their debut Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season but they have one major dent to that fine start to life in the top-flight.
MWOS are yet to win at one of the iconic venues of Zimbabwean football — Rufaro Stadium.
The Punters have been to the Mbare venue twice and came out with nothing.
They lost 0-1 against Dynamos on August 2, before falling to rivals Scottland by the same score line just over a fortnight ago.
MWOS return to Mbare on Saturday hoping to break the Rufaro jinx when they square up against CAPS United in the penultimate round of the 2025 season.
Since the title has already been won by Scottland, MWOS can only now finish at least second on the log, which could be a remarkable achievement given their status in the top-flight.
MWOS earned the right to play in the Premier Soccer League after purchasing ZPC Hwange’s franchise and their coach Lloyd Mutasa had no time to bolster his squad with top players, as he was bracing for another dance in the Northern Region Soccer League.
Over 60 percent of the players who featured for MWOS in Division One were retained but the team still managed to hold their own in the elite league.
Skipper Panashe Nyabunze, Valentine Katsande, Tinotenda “Dhiziri” Mutyambizi, Arthur Banda, Mathew Murambiwa and Everson Feremba are some of the players who were retained.
The Punters are second on the log with 58 points and one clear of third-placed Simba Bhora going into the final two rounds of the season.
They have managed 16 wins, 10 draws and six losses.
“I think we have done well as a club that is playing in the Premier Soccer League for the first time.
“Being part of the top four teams in the league, I think by our own standards we have done very well.
“I would want to believe the team and my boys did extremely well,” MWOS coach, Mutasa, told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
The unassuming gaffer is now a strong contender for the Coach of the Year award.
There are many who strongly believe the race for this top award will be between championship-winning Tonderai Ndiraya and Mutasa.
However, Mutasa says the focus for now is on CAPS United.
Interestingly, Makepekepe are yet to beat MWOS.
The Punters beat the Harare giants in the league and Chibuku Super Cup and are now aiming for a treble against the Green Machine.
“I think the motivation factor is that we have never won a game at Rufaro Stadium and this is our third time playing at the venue.
“We lost to Dynamos and Scottland and we are now saying it’s time to break the jinx.
“So, we are determined to make it three out of three against a good CAPS United side,” said Mutasa.
The gaffer has raked in 58 points out of a possible 96, which translates to a commendable 60 percent success rate.
“We will keep pushing until the last game. The good thing is most of our players are fit and ready for the match against CAPS United,” added Mutasa.
One man to look out for is central midfielder Abubakar Moffat who has been a revelation since joining MWOS mid-season.
Goal-scoring machine Billy Veremu and goalkeeper Martin Mapisa are also expected to play a key role at Rufaro on Saturday.
