Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Northern Region Soccer League say the success of MWOS Under-19 in the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup shows that the second-tier league is very competitive.
MWOS Under-19 are the only team from the NRSL who have secured a place in the last 16 of the richest and biggest cup tournament in the country.
They beat Chatidhege 3-1 in the Round of 32 game on Heroes Day with Timmy Kushata scoring a brace that sandwiched Takana Maseko’s cool strike.
Ironically, the main MWOS team, which plays in the domestic Premiership, were eliminated by plucky Herentals.
The other NRSL sides, which had made it to the Round of 32, FC Oden and Marere, fell short when losing 0-3 and 0-1 to Premier Soccer League sides Scottland and FC Platinum.
NRSL chairman, Sweeney Mushonga, congratulated MWOS Under-19.
“It always gives us pleasure as the Northern Region Soccer League just seeing a club from our league standing out in such fashion,” said Mushonga.
“We had three teams from the region that is FC Oden, Marere and MWOS U19 in the Round of 32 of the biggest tournament in the country. “They made us proud by reaching that stage. We are really happy with how they competed at this level.
“And for MWOS Under-19 to stand out the way they did is something remarkable and worth celebrating.
“We are obviously fully behind them because we know they can deliver.”
He added:
“They have a good coach in Wonder Ngoko and look, their system is top notch.
“We just hope that they will be successful in their bid to go all the way to which we know they are capable if they just stay focused with eyes on the ball.
“This is how much we have trust in them.
“Overall the Munhumutapa Cup is the ultimate tournament that any country wants to have.” Kushata said they are ready to face anyone amongst the other 15 teams.
“This is the biggest cup tournament in the country and it’s a place for those with bigger hearts not names,” he said.
“We have already seen some upsets in which giants Highlanders and Dynamos have lost and exited early.
“We are not saying we will upset teams, no, we will compete and beat teams with good coordination on the day.”
