Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
NGEZI Platinum Stars have not only been grinding key results, but they also look like a team that could have a say in the 2026 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League championship race.
Undefeated in the opening eight rounds, Madamburo are one of the four teams yet to lose this season.
The others are traditional giants Dynamos and Highlanders as well as defending champions Scottland.
They might have lost a number of key players to CAPS United, including top striker Obriel Chirinda and influential midfielder Richard Hachiro, but Ngezi are proving they are still a force to reckon with.
Under new gaffer Kumbirai Mutiwekuziwa, Madamburo have registered four wins and four draws and sit fourth on the log, with 16 points, just three behind log leaders CAPS United, whom they beat early in the season.
Interestingly, Madamburo’s strong start has captured attention from as far as North America, especially in Canada.
Mainly because their goalkeeper Darlington Murasiranwa has strong roots in that part of the world.
The 25-year-old Murasiranwa played football in Canada before retracing his roots back to Zimbabwe last season.
In Canada, he played for Vancouver Whitecaps and FC Edmonton, before settling at Ngezi Platinum Stars where he has cemented his place as the club’s number one.
Interestingly at Vancouver Whitecaps, Murasiranwa was the second Zimbabwean goalkeeper to feature for the Canadian club after the legendary former Liverpool and Warriors goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar.
Grobbelaar played for Whitecaps in the 1979-1980 season.
Now Murasiranwa’s story is also inspiring another Zimbabwean footballer based in Canada.
Teenage midfielder Tashinga Aiden Zvemhara is currently playing in the Ontario Premier League in Canada, but Murasiranwa’s story has given him motivation and hope he can also end up playing in the local top-flight league.
“I think Darlington’s story is very inspirational particularly his pathway to end up playing top level football in Zimbabwe, the fatherland.
“In Canada, soccer is secondary to hockey which is the national sport.
“So, for him to be able to be part of competitive programmes and end up where he is, is testament to hard work, passion, focus and discipline,” Zvemhara told Zimpapers Sports Hub from his base in Canada.
The 18-year-old Zvemhara has signed a professional contract with Simcoe County Blue Devils who compete in the Ontario Premier League.
“Having people like Darlington and being able to reflect on their experiences is significantly important in showing kids, like me, who find themselves in the very same system.
“Along with his academic journey, I’m also aware of his time spent in the CPL and OPL (formally known as League 1 Canada).
“I will be playing in the Premier Division of OPL.
“Knowing that Darlington also spent time in the same league as I am now and was able to make the steps to end up playing for a Canada Premier League team is very inspiring
“The fact that he was a Zimbabwean playing in Canada and was still able to be a potential player at the national team level shows that ZIFA are making inroads in recognising that the diaspora has an untapped pool of talent that can blend well with local players to have a competitive national team that brings pride to the nation,” added Zvemhara.
He has been following events in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League with keen interest.
He knows the Zimbabwean top-flight league is now more competitive and more lucrative, thanks to the emergence of clubs such as Scottland, Hardrock and MWOS.
“My father always mentions a time when Zimbabwe held its own against teams like Nigeria, Egypt and Cameroon during the ‘Dream Team’ era.
“A time when the local league was very vibrant.
“I was not born yet, but being a Liverpool fan, I’m quite aware of the achievements of Bruce Grobbelaar.
“I have aspirations of one day playing for Zimbabwe as well, so seeing that it is possible from the position I stand in right now is very reassuring,” added Zvemhara.
