Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
NGEZI Platinum Queens have completed a remarkable run in the Northern Region Women’s Soccer League, storming into the Zimbabwe Women’s Premier Soccer League after a flawless campaign that saw them go unbeaten all season.
The Mhondoro-based side finished top with 41 points from 15 matches, winning 13 and drawing two, an impressive 85.7 percent success rate. They scored 48 goals while conceding just 13, averaging more than three goals a game to underline their dominance on both ends of the pitch. Shedza Queens and Scottland trailed in second and third with 37 and 29 points respectively, while ZRP Harare and Dynamos anchored the table on five and nine points.
With that record, Ngezi became the first team to clinch one of four promotion slots into the topflight, with the remaining three reserved for champions from the Central, Southern, and Western regions.
Head coach Yohane Chikaola praised his team’s resilience and belief throughout what he called a “tough but memorable” season.
“I am impressed with how we fared through the season; it’s something I never imagined when it started,” he said.
“There was tougher competition this year compared to last season. We didn’t strengthen our squad, but others did.”
Under Chikaola, Ngezi made an immediate impression after their formation, winning the Northern Region Preseason Tournament in their debut season. While their rivals brought in experienced players for this campaign, Ngezi stuck with the same youthful squad.
“Scottland and Shedza signed seasoned players, so for us to compete, we had to double our work rate,” he said.
“Our team was mostly rookies. Some of the girls only started playing football last season. We picked them from within the Ngezi community based on interest and physical potential. We had to start by working on their mentality, to make them believe they could do it. The response was amazing.”
Chikaola credited the team’s success to continuity and chemistry. Retaining the same core from last season, he said, built trust and understanding that became their biggest advantage.
“Other teams had quality and experience, but our consistency gave us unity and belief,” he said. “That togetherness became our strength.”
Ngezi’s discipline, both on and off the field, also stood out.
“We tried to maintain balance and focus,” he added. “Continuity played in our favour.”
The coach also took pride in seeing some of his players gain national recognition. “Some of our players were called up to national teams, something rare in a lower league. Emily Nyangani, for example, made the Under 20 squad that played World Cup qualifiers in Rwanda.”
Next season, Chikaola and his rising Queens will test themselves against established giants like Herentals, Correctional Queens, Chapungu, and Black Rhinos in the ZWPSL.
Mathew Masinge