Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
IN the end, Ngezi Platinum shocked FC Platinum in the season opener, ZPC Kariba completed mission impossible at Gibbo while Tonderai Ndiraya could only get a point in his journey to try and win three consecutive league titles with different clubs.
At Rufaro, Langton Nyakwenda reports that Chicken Inn once again struggled to win an opening league match. Since 2019, they have one win in the season opener.
Yesterday, the trend continued when they surrendered a lead to draw 1-1 against Herentals.
Malawian striker Rahim Binwell Katinji scored on his debut before Ralph Kawondera rescued Herentals with a second-half strike.
Now under Ndiraya, Chicken Inn started the stronger side and could have scored at least twice in the second-half.
Binwell Katinji raced clear after 19 minutes but fired wide from close range.
The former Silver Strikers player then scored his first Castle Lager Premier Soccer League goal after 40 minutes, heading home a fine cross from the right by Michael Charamba.
Binwell was one of the three foreigners fielded by Ndiraya, including Alex Mumbango the left back and Sefu Louison the right back.
The Gamecocks also started Temptation Chiwunga and Vassili Kawe, the other new signings.
The Bulawayo side have been thrust among the favourites to win the title, following the arrival of several foreign players and two-time championship winning gaffer Ndiraya.
“I think it was a good fight from the team,” said Ndiraya.
“I felt that in the first-half we should have taken the chances that we created.
“We should have gone to half-time with 2 or 3-0 cushion and it could have been a bit easier for us,” Ndiraya said.
The Students did not give up and managed to find the equaliser soon after the break, through Kawondera.
“We knew that it was not going to be easy against Herentals, not easy, especially after you have travelled all the way.
“But I think we did well, particularly in the first-half and I must give credit to the team for adjusting and making sure that we kept Herentals at bay.”
New signing Tanaka Chinyahara impressed on his debut for Herentals.
His close ball control and ability to find spaces won him praises from coach Paul Benza.
Milton “Pogba” Ncube who is returning from a loan stint at TelOne was also on top of his game.
“I’m very happy because we’ve made some changes to the team but we still managed to get a point, especially coming from behind,” said Benza.
“I think for us it’s very positive and the boys are already motivated with that comeback.
“I’m very happy, especially with the performance of Tanaka Chinyahara and Milton Chimedza, who were on loan last year to TelOne.
“They gave their all and they were able to blend into the team and I’m very happy with that.”
Ngezi shock FC Platinum
Don Makanyanga in Mhondoro-Ngezi reports that Ngezi Platinum Stars midfielder Marvelous Mukumba has become the first player to score a brace in the 2026 season.
Mukumba’s goals in each half was instrumental in his side’s 2-1 victory over rivals FC Platinum at Baobab.
FC Platinum took an early lead, in the seventh minute when Jarrison Selemani unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box that gave the goalie no chance.
Ngezi Platinum replied with Mukumba three minutes before the break as he pounced on a rebound from the upright before completing his brace three minutes after the break.
The match was played under difficult wet conditions following a heavy downpour the previous night.
FC Platinum had to sit deep in their own half, relying on long balls and counter-attacks.
With Ngezi Platinum Stars sticking to a passing game, FC Platinum capitalised on a counter-raids.
Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva, who was promoted to the head coach’s role following the departure of Takesure Chiragwi for Caps United, was elated.
“I am happy with a good start, a good beginning. I hope the fortunes will keep coming going forward,” he said.
“We were not a defensive team throughout. We had planned that we would always try to attack as much as we can at home and also keep the ball as much as we can like what we have been doing.
“. . . But we were also worried about defending which we should have done better than what we have done.”
TelOne, DeMbare game set for 10am today
At Ascot, the match between TelOne and Dynamos has been rescheduled for today at the same venue at 10am. PSL indicated that poor pitch conditions after heavy rainfall had affected the game.
“The Premier Soccer League wishes to advise all stakeholders that the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match between TelOne FC and Dynamos FC which was scheduled to take place today (yesterday) at Ascot Stadium has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch following persistent rainfall,” said PSL in a statement.
“In the interest of player safety and to preserve the quality of the playing surface, a decision has been made to accordance with PSL, Rules and Regulations to defer the fixture due to force majeure.”
ZPC Kariba statement win
At Gibbo, Munashe Kamwendo’s goal for ZPC Kariba late in the game condemned Triangle to their first defeat of the 2026 season.
Given how Triangle finished the 2025 season strongly when they survived relegation on the last day of the season, this seemed to be a mountain to climb for ZPC.
However, the Kariba-based side had other ideas, becoming the only one of two teams to collect maximum points on match day one, before today’s games across the country.
Bongani Ndlovu