Online Reporter
Tendai Chara
Zimpapers Sports Hub
WHO will be crowned 2025 Northern Region Soccer League champions?
That question will be answered on Sunday when the curtain comes down on one of the most fiercely contested seasons in recent memory. Both the title and relegation battles are on a knife’s edge, promising a weekend of tension, emotion and drama.
Even the race for the Golden Boot has gone to the wire, with just a single goal separating the league’s top scorers.
N’ombeyawora, sitting on 86 points, go into the final day with a slender one-point lead over second-placed Agama, who are on 85.
The two title contenders face defining fixtures: N’ombeyawora away to MWOS U-19 at Ngoni Stadium, while Agama visit FC Oden in Chinhoyi.
Victory for N’ombeyawora will seal the championship regardless of what happens elsewhere. But should they falter, Agama could snatch the title if they overcome Oden.
Given the fixtures, N’ombeyawora appear favourites to clinch it.
Their task looks slightly easier than Agama’s tricky away tie to FC Oden, which is coached by former Agama mentor Arthur Tutani.
“I know their strengths and weaknesses,” said Tutani. “We will use that to our advantage. We want to end the season on a high and deny them a ticket to the Premier Soccer League.”
Oden showed their mettle last week with a 2-0 win over Chegutu Pirates.
Still, Agama coach Paul “Popopo” Chimalizeni insists his team will fight to the very end.
“We are going to fight until the final whistle. Like I always say, it’s not over until it’s over,” he said.
The title race has been thrilling throughout the second half of the season, with both teams scoring freely. N’ombeyawora thumped Chegutu Pirates 7-0 before hammering Karoi United 5-0.
Agama responded with a 3-0 demolition of Ali Sundowns. At the other end of the table, survival is far from guaranteed for several sides.
Ali Sundowns, Chinhoyi Stars, Ngezi U-19 and Shamva Mine are all caught in the relegation fight. Shamva Mine, bottom for much of the campaign, have staged a late recovery, climbing three places on the log.
Chinhoyi Stars travel to Mkushi to face Black Rhinos, while Ali Sundowns host Banket United at Wagadhugu in a must-win game that could decide their fate.
Ngezi U-19 welcome Shamva Mine at Baobab Stadium in another crucial survival clash.
Elsewhere, Karoi United host Chegutu Pirates at Chikangwe, while PAM take on a red-hot Golden Eagles at Muriel Mine.
Third-placed Golden Eagles, one of the most consistent sides in the division, have been exceptional away from home.
Cranborne Bullets entertain Trojan Mine at Commando Barracks and Harare City face Zambezi Gas and Coal at Gwanzura.
The Golden Boot race is also turning out to be a closely contested affair.
Tadiwa Chibunyu leads with 16 goals, followed closely by Agama’s Tinashe Balakasi on 15 and N’ombeyawora’s Russel Chifura with 14.
Golden Eagles coach Arthur Gorejena believes the final round will be as unpredictable as the season itself.
“The bottom of the table is wide open. Any team can still survive or go down. It’s been a competitive season, and we expect a neck-and-neck finish at the top,” he said. “I don’t see the leading team dropping points on Sunday, but it’s football; anything can happen.”
Gorejena also tipped Balakasi to walk away with the Golden Boot.
Tinaye Agere