Online Reporter
Lawrence Moyo
AMBITIOUS Premiership newcomers, MWOS have set themselves a target of completing renovations at Ngoni Stadium in time for the blockbuster Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match against Dynamos on Week 7.
MWOS are currently second on the PSL log standings after an unbeaten five-match run of three wins and two draws and have a 100 percent record at the Baobab Stadium in Mhondoro-Ngezi, which is their adopted home as work on their Norton venue continues.
Lloyd “Samaita” Mutasa’s charges launched their Premiership campaign with a 1-0 victory over Highlanders and followed it up with two more home wins against Yadah and ZPC Kariba.
In the three home matches, MWOS have kept clean sheets while the two draws have come from their two away matches against Bikita Minerals and FC Platinum.
MWOS will be in Shamva for their next game on Sunday, a tricky away assignment at Wadzanai against Herentals College who have had a slow start to the season.
Meanwhile, the impressive start has made the Norton community anxious to watch Castle Lager Premiership action at Ngoni Stadium, hence the MWOS leadership is doing everything possible to get the venue approved by the First Instance Board ahead of their next home game, against popular giants Dynamos.
Mutasa said it will be befitting for the Norton community if Ngoni Stadium is officially re-opened with a grand fixture against one of the country’s big crowd pullers.
“From what I know, the club is doing everything possible to have Ngoni Stadium ready for the next home game, which is against Dynamos. When we were in Division One, it was the (Norton) fans’ wish that we gain promotion so that they would be able to watch the country’s big teams like Dynamos, Highlanders and CAPS United.
“Unfortunately, Ngoni Stadium was not ready for the opening game of the season which means the community missed out on Highlanders. It becomes more important now that we at least secure the Dynamos match and I am glad that the club is working flat out to achieve that,” said Mutasa.
He however, said they have enjoyed Ngezi Platinum’s Baobab Stadium under the current temporary arrangement adding that their current record at the venue puts them under pressure when they revert to Ngoni Stadium.
“Baobab Stadium has been good to us in many ways. Even in terms of results, we have managed to score in every game while keeping clean sheets for a 100 percent record, which we intend to maintain when we move back to Ngoni Stadium.”
Mutasa conceded that their near-perfect start to their debut Premiership campaign might be because other teams are still trying to figure them out and he expects tougher matches going forward.
“We have done well so far and it might be because no one knew about us, but the results obviously mean teams will now change their approach against us going forward. We expect the challenges to get tougher.
“We have been telling the boys to expect tougher challenges ahead but, at the same, we have been telling them to also make hay while the sun shines. That is to say we should collect as many points as possible when the conditions are still favourable so that we are not in trouble when fortunes change.”
The current impressive start has made the MWOS players famous in their own circles and Mutasa wants them to stay grounded.
“One of the dangers of fame is that you lose focus, and we keep reminding the players to stay grounded, stay humble and keep working hard to achieve more. The road will not be any easy one and that is why it is important to focus and be able to rise again after falling.”
Mutasa refuses to single out any players for special mention saying that all members of the squad are important.
One of the players that have been singled out for special mention by the MWOS community is midfielder Nigel Matinha, who played a blinder in Saturday’s 1-0 win over ZPC Kariba at the Baobab.
Matinha provided the assist for Billy Veremu’s match winner.
“I first worked with Nigel when I took him from ZRP to Greenfuel and he even featured in my only game in charge of Greenfuel in the Premier Soccer League. When I left Greenfuel, Nigel stayed behind but seemed to struggle for game time.
“He then came to MWOS last year when we were in Division One and we have had him since then. But he is just one of the many good players in the team. When you look at the squad, we have a mixture of youth and experience in every department, and we work well as a team.
“That’s why you find we will have a different outstanding player for each match, which I believe is healthy for team sports.”
