PAM take aim at N’ombeyawora

PAM will be hoping to dampen N’ombeyawora’s debut in the Northern Region Soccer League with a win against the flamboyant new boys at The Heart stadium today.

N’ombeyawora, who acquired the Herentals U20 franchise have been active on the transfer market in the off-season and also very active on social media pushing their visibility.

They took some players that did business for Scottland last season, like McClive Phiri, Panashe Nyabunga, Munashe Dinyero, Tadiwa Huni, Keith Muzengeza and Jacob Nyakope.

They have also brought in some seasoned players in the form of much travelled Praise Tonha who was with Bikita Minerals last year, former Harare City duo of Dinoleen Masukuta and Emmanuel Zinyama, Tadiwa Chibunyu and Leon Daka who played under coach Nesbert ‘Yabo’ Saruchera at Cranborne Bullets.

Experienced former Black Rhinos star Lincoln Saramaya, who was with Agama last year, reunites with Saruchera at N’ombeyawora.

PAM coach Vincent Nzombe is, however, not reading much into the composition of the N’ombeyawora squad but is focused on getting a positive result.

“We are going to Harare to fight for the points,” Nzombe said.

“We want a good start to the season, so we are targeting a win on our first match. We know the calibre of the opponents we are playing against, they are new in name but have one of the best coaches in the league. They have a number of seasoned players, but we are also here to compete not to add numbers. So we are going into the match with our heads high and with a lot of optimism.”

Harare City, who were also very active during the off-season with the appointment of title winning coach Day Gutu formerly of Chegutu Pirates and the signing of a number of experienced players begin their campaign on the road away to Shamva Mine in the other fixture on Friday.

Former Highlanders midfielder Rahman Kutsanzira is the most high-profile player to join the Sunshine Boys along with ex- Chegutu Pirates captain Gift Mwinga, Grey Kufandada, Nevermind Antonio and Ali Maliselo with the last duo having left Herentals.

Action continues tomorrow with the Chinhoyi Derby between Chinhoyi Stars and Chinhoyi Rangers at Chinhoyi stadium being one of the stand-out fixtures for week one.

Zambezi G&C who narrowly survived relegation last year begin the new campaign at home against Cranborne Bullets with Black Rhinos under new coach Weddington Chinyan’anya who was with Cranborne Bullets last year starting the season with an away fixture to Golden Eagles at Ellis Robbins.

Karoi United square off against Ngezi Platinum U19 at Chikangwe stadium.

Chegutu Pirates who are back in the league after a year in the premier league are away to MWOS U19 at Gwanzura Stadium while Trojan Stars entertain new comers Ali Sundowns at Trojan Mine stadium.

Black Mambas take on debutants Oden from Chinhoyi at Mkushi Academy Grounds.

There is only one fixture on Sunday with dark horses for the title Agama away to Banket United at Kuwadzana stadium.

Agama reinforced their squad signing the likes of Tinashe Balakasi, Trust Torovaseyi, Cleopas Kapupurika among others − NRSL.

Northern Region Soccer League Week 1

Today:

N’ombeyawora vs Pam FC

Shamva Mine vs Harare City

Saturday:

MWOS Under-19 vs Chegutu Pirates

Chinhoyi Stars vs Chinhoyi Rangers

Zambezi G&C vs Cranborne Bullets

Karoi United fc vs Ngezi Under-19