NRSL race reaches boiling point

ball

Tadious Manyepo

Sports Reporter

NORTHERN Region Soccer League leaders MWOS can ring-fence their post at the summit but cannot afford any slackening against unpredictable Black Mambas at Mkushi Academy ground (formerly Morris Depot) this afternoon.

The punters are engaged in a fierce tussle for promotion into the Premier Soccer League with second-placed Scottland.

Veteran coach Lloyd Mutasa has seen his side lead the standings after 34 match days with 75 points to their name, three ahead of Scottland, who have an outstanding match against Karoi United, which is yet to be determined.

Scottland are, however, most likely to have the verdict of that ill-fated match go their way given the circumstances surrounding its abandonment in September.

If as is largely expected, that happens, then Scottland would go level on points with MWOS but the Norton outfit would remain in pole position on superior goal difference.

But before that possibility can come into play, both teams should sweat it out for the right to get a licence to be with the big boys next year.

MWOS face a Black Mambas side high on confidence after they walloped Herentals U20 4-1 last week. The Zimbabwe Republic Police outfit have their own relegation worries to deal with as they are not entirely safe from the chop. Only four points wedge them from Norton Community, who occupy the last relegation slot and that means they will throw everything into this match, in front of their home fans to get a positive result.

Scottland on their part are at Rufaro where they face another potential banana-skin opponent in relegated DZ Royal Stars.

But the soldiers have pride to play for and would not want to fall off in an embarrassing manner and will need that NRSL Fair Play award. It’s a match of interest given the large incentives, which Scottland president Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya has promised his players. But rather than focus on the rewards, Scottland goalkeeper Panashe Nyabunga believes it is better to keep the eyes on the ball.

“Primarily, as players, we want to win the match against DZ Royal Stars. That’s what we have been talking about the whole week with the group. The incentives are very good, and we salute our club boss for that, but what we want at the end of the day as players is to gain promotion into the PSL,” said Nyabunga.

“But look, we are not focusing on any other game rather the one coming against DZ Royal Stars.

“We are taking each game as it comes, and we are also being meticulous on how we approach each game. We need to win all our remaining games and see what happens.

“I am glad we have a lot of experienced players in our team, and I think that will help us cross the line.”

Fixture:

Today (All matches kick off at 3pm unless stated)

Herentals v Black Rhinos (Mkushi 12 noon)

DZ Royal Stars v Scottland (Rufaro)

Black Mambas v MWOS (Mkushi)

Norton Community v Ngezi Platinum U19 (Ngoni)

Golden Eagles v PAM (Ellis Robins)

AGAMA v Karoi United (Pfura)

Zambezi G&C v Chinhoyi (Centenary High)

Trojan Stars v Cranborne Bullets (Trojan Mine)

Banket United v Harare City (Kuwadzana)