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Don Makanyanga
Sports Reporter
THE Northern Region Soccer League title race has officially entered its home stretch with the Division One chiefs resolving to arrange that the leading pair MWOS and Scottland will play their remaining games simultaneously.
In a move aimed at enhancing the spirit of Fair Play, the NRSL leadership ordered that the two protagonists in the fight for Premier Soccer League promotion — MWOS and Scottland’s games will no longer be separated by dates or times as that could needlessly put either side under undue pressure.
NRSL vice-chairman Sweeney Mushonga confirmed the decision adding that the rearranged fixtures would start tomorrow.
The games also come against the background of increased pressure on the ZIFA Referees Committee to appoint senior and competent match officials in the Division One run-in.
Referees have hogged the limelight for the wrong reasons, often being caught on the wrong side for some controversial officiating that have spoilt the broth in the excitement that MWOS, Scottland, Black Rhinos, and fourth laced Harare City brought to this riveting contest.
Referees will no doubt take centre stage again in these remaining matches of the season.
MWOS lead the NRSL log standings with 71 points from 32 matches and now have a narrow two-point cushion over second-placed Scottland, who have now played the same number of games.
NRSL vice-chairman Sweeney Mushonga said that although most of the divisions across the country including the Premier Soccer League are still grappling with the scarcity of venues, they will endeavour to ensure that none of the title chasers enjoys an unfair advantage.
“Ordinarily we make our fixtures through the clubs and also look at the availability of the venues but we are going to do our best and ensure that the remaining games for the two teams are played at the same time where possible,” said Mushonga.
With Scottland sharing Rufaro with some Premiership teams such as Dynamos, CAPS United, and Herentals, Mushonga said that the availability of the venues would determine the scheduling of the fixtures.
“We also need to take into account that some venues won’t be readily available but where possible we would like to have the matches to be played at the same times,” he said.
As the race hots up with only one team set to be promoted into the Premiership, the NRSL also appealed to clubs to put adequate measures in place to curb crowd trouble.
“We want to appeal to the clubs to have appropriate security measures in place in their remaining matches so that there is proper control regarding crowd trouble,” said Mushonga.
Scottland, buoyed by the additional three points they got from their abandoned game Karoi United faces youthful Norton Community at Rufaro on Friday, the same day that MWOS receive mid-table outfit Trojan Stars at Ngoni.
MWOS coach Lloyd Mutasa will be handed his award for being the best gaffer in September.
It is Mutasa’s fourth Coach of the Month accolade.
Despite Scottland closing in on them, Mutasa remains optimistic about his charges securing the sole promotion ticket into the top-flight for the 2025 season.
“I think our intentions are known.
“Our target from the start is known…we are eyeing the championship and things are looking good.
“We still have the destiny in our own hands and we hope we’ll keep it until the end,” said Mutasa.
Mutasa noted that the remaining six games would not be easy for either side.
“The competition is stiff. We still have six games which is 18 points to play for. We still have everything to play for.
“We would want to collect as many points as possible and considering where we are, we can be able to cross the line if we remain focused, remain grounded and keep our feet on the ground and keep working and keep focused, which we’re trying to be.
“We have the pedigree to get the results that we require. We have the arsenal, we have the ammunition, we have the motivation, we have the 12th player behind us. We have belief and faith in ourselves that we can cross the line,” Mutasa said.
“I have been telling the players that nothing has changed, let’s play football the way we used to play before the position that we are in right now and we need to be calm and composed.”
Mutasa is also wary of the challenge his side faces in the run-up to the title race.
“We don’t have a game that we would want to say is an easy match or tough match, all the games are going to be tough, so to speak.
“Tough in the sense that every team that plays an up top team, they would want to try as much as they can to dislodge them, to make history by beating them.
“So, it makes every game that we’re going to play so tough. Every opposition that we’re going to play, it’s going to be tough encounters but it’s how we approach those matches,” said Mutasa.
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