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Curtworth Masango, Zimpapers Sports Hub
NORTHERN Region Soccer League have set the tone for what promises to be another riveting season with the Division One management releasing the 2025 fixtures.
The league is set to kick-start on March 21.
The last four years have witnessed some intense battles for promotion into the Premier Soccer League.
Just last year, flamboyant sides MWOS and Scottland hogged the limelight with their close race, even spilling into both the ZIFA and the NRSL boardrooms.
Scottland were eventually declared the legitimate champions.
MWOS will once again be among the main actors this year, as will be the ex-PSL pair of Harare City and Black Rhinos.
Golden Eagles have become perennial campaigners, while Warriors legend Moses Chunga and his Chegutu Pirates will be seeking an early return to the Premiership.
Newboys Ali Sundowns, Chinhoyi Rangers, and Centenary will be expected to add flair and flavour to the league. Seasoned campaigners Herentals U-20 are reported to be leaving their slot to compete in the Southern Region, with Scottland U-20 side tipped to fill in the vacancy.
It has proved difficult for one to predict the champions in a league that is also never short of party spoilers such as Banket, Black Mambas, Karoi United, and AGAMA.
Rhinos are also coming into the 2025 season with a new leadership.
Wellington Mabiginye has bounced as chairman with a vow to take the soldiers back into the elite league. Mabiginye looks to have a strong team in the executive committee to support him, including Simbarashe Tazvivinga (vice-chairman), secretary-general McDonald Bandama, Vusumuzi Mpofu (organising secretary), treasurer Modrick Muzvidziwa, and Sympathy Buka as a committee member.
The Rhinos chairman noted that Chauya Chipembere, who also lost long-serving coach Nesbert “Yabo” Saruchera, had a rich history, including winning the top-flight championship, the ZIFA Cup, and starring in the then CAF African Cup of Cup Winners in the mid-1980s and early 1990s.
Mabiginye also paid tribute to his predecessors, including outgoing chairman Edward Mutukwa, for their efforts.
“I express gratitude to the Patron of Black Rhinos Football Club and Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Anselem Sanyatwe for affording me this chance to lead the team, which happens to be the army’s flagship.
“I would want to acknowledge that Rhinos is a big brand in local football thanks to the efforts of my predecessors.
“It’s our hope as the recently appointed executive to do our best to push the good work forward. Yes, we are currently in the unfashionable world of Division One, and as the executive, we assume the obligation to try and take the team to the PSL, where we think we belong. It may not occur instantly, but our fans should expect a competitive fight for the gong.
“We believe unity of purpose, discipline, and hard work from all will be key to our success; hence, we will try to take all our stakeholders along the journey,” Mabiginye said.
WEEK 1 FIXTURES
Banket United vs. Agama, Black Mambas vs. Centenary, Trojan vs. Ali Sundowns, Chinhoyi Stars vs. Chinhoyi Rangers, Zambezi vs. Cranborne, Golden Eagles vs. Black Rhinos, Shamva vs. Harare City, Herentals U-20 vs PAM, Karoi vs. Ngezi, MWOS vs. Chegutu Pirates
Online Reporter