Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE sight of MWOS coach Lloyd Mutasa sprinting the whole length of the pitch at Ngoni Stadium after his side’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League victory over rivals Scottland yesterday summarised the mood.
It was, by every measure, a thriller, except that goals did not rain on this lush-green turf, but emotions did.
In the end, man-of-the-moment Billy Veremu’s ninth goal of the season, squeezed midway through the second stanza, was enough to settle the contest.
The 6 000-seater stadium was packed to the rafters, with tickets having been sold out well before Friday.
First, Khama Billiat for Scottland and Nigel Matinha for the home side entertained the crowd with their sleek play.
The first half was lit, but no goals were recorded, with Scottland goalkeeper Nelson Chadya standing firm, keeping out Matinha, Arthur Banda and Tafadzwa George’s stinging efforts.
Scottland had their chances, too, but they were not that clinical.
Then arrived the drama, right in the 67th minute, when referee Thabani Ruzario was injured.
He lay on the turf for 12 minutes while being attended to.
Fourth official Lloyd Mapanje eventually took charge for the remainder of the game.
The match went on quite well and, in the end, it was Mutasa and his boys who celebrated a massive win, which took their tally to 30 points in 14 undefeated outings.
“For a start, I would want to say glory be to God. I think we could not have done this without the Almighty. And then winning against Scottland, I think, it’s so sweet,” said Mutasa.
Reflecting on a challenging period in his coaching career, Mutasa said he almost gave up last year.
“At one occasion, I wanted to give up coaching football because of what transpired last year (in the Northern Region Soccer League), and I know this was a very massive game, and that was going to probably take away everything that we had worked for from the first game to game number 13 had we lost this match in this community.”
Mutasa expressed relief and satisfaction at MWOS’ success. “And I’m very much pleased that at least for once, we have managed to make the people not only in Norton happy, but all over the country . . .”
This was Scottland’s second defeat in 14 games, having first lost against Ngezi Platinum Stars at Rufaro.
Veremu headed a corner towards Chadya’s goal but the latter parried the ball back.
The alert striker beat the Scottland defence to the rebound, which he bundled home.
“In the end, I thought with that kind of attitude, probably a point was going to be good for us, but it was coming,” said Tonderai Ndiraya, the Scottland coach.
His team ultimately had to accept defeat.
“It has happened, and I would want to give credit to MWOS, the way that they have gone about their business today. They wanted it more than us.”
He said Scottland only began to show more aggression after conceding.
CAPS break the curse, stun Gem Boys at Sakubva
CAPS United finally got their groove back, and so did Ian Bakala.
The Green Machine clinched their first victory in four attempts when they edged hosts Manica Diamonds 1-0 at Sakubva yesterday, handing former Zambian international Bakala his first set of maximum points as CAPS United coach.
Craig Matindife pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the box and rifled home in the dying moments to secure what has been a rare win for Makepekepe this season.
That the victory came at Sakubva, a tricky hunting ground for visiting teams, only amplified the scenes of elation that erupted when referee Brighton Chimene blew the final whistle.
“I think this was a well-deserved win. My boys really applied all that we practised in training,” said Bakala.
“I am happy for the boys and the team as a whole.
“It was not easy picking up maximum points here, but thank God, we managed to do just that. I knew Sakubva would not be easy, but I am happy that we prepared well and achieved what we wanted.”
A sizable crowd braved the chilly weather and was treated to an entertaining brand of football as both teams committed to attacking play.
In an era where refereeing standards have slumped to dismal levels, Rusape-based reigning Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Referee of the Year Chimene reminded all and sundry why he is rated the best in the business.
He handled the tie with measured authority and composure. But both sides were guilty of wastefulness in front of goal, with the hosts ruing a series of clear-cut opportunities.
Gamecocks fail to fly again
Chicken Inn’s search for a home victory in the 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League continues after they were held to a goalless draw by Triangle United at Luveve.
The Gamecocks have now played seven matches at home without a win, a frustrating streak for coach Joey Antipas and his charges.
FC Platinum finally remember how to win
FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza described his side’s 1-0 victory over TelOne at Ascot as “a huge relief”.
The Zvishavane miners had endured a four-match winless run in which they drew all their matches.
Their last victory came at the end of April in a 2-1 away win over CAPS United at Rufaro.
But Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya’s second-half strike changed the script for the former champions. And Mapeza could not hide his joy after his charges eked out only their third win in 14 attempts.
“This is a huge relief. I said it in Harare that . . . it looked like we would either lose or win, but we managed to get the victory,” he said.
“Credit goes to the boys. They really worked hard in the match, especially the second half. The wind was something else, so it is now down to how we will perform in our next match.”
It was TelOne’s first home defeat.
“The first loss of the season at home, it’s part of football, but we need to keep working hard and grinding results,’’ TelOne coach Hebert Maruwa said.
Results
Herentals 0-2 Bikita Minerals
Manica Diamonds 0-1 CAPS United
MWOS 1-0 Scottland
Simba Bhora 0-0 Ngezi Platinum Stars
TelOne 0-1 FC Platinum
Chicken 0-0 Triangle
ZPC Kariba 1-0 Yadah Stars
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter