Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
NESBERT “YABO” SARUCHERA may have moved a rung up into the Premier Soccer League where he will be directing operations for newboys FC Hunters, but he knows how hard life is in the Northern Region Soccer League.
The veteran coach was well-placed to clip promotion into the PSL with N’ombeyaora going into the final game of the 2025 season as the Mabvuku team enjoyed a single point’s cushion over Agama.
In fact, N’ombeyawora had been so dominate for large parts of the season before it fizzled into a two-horse race against Agama.
But Saruchera watched in horror as things turned upside down for him after he helplessly watched his charges lose 1-0 to MWOS U-19 at Ngoni Stadium.
That defeat, coupled with Agama’s 1-0 win over FC Oden saw the latter taking the sole ticket up the ladder leaving Saruchera and his boys in a deep soul-searching exercise.
There is no doubting the quality of the former Black Rhinos gaffer, though, and FC Hunters who had initially been promoted into the PSL via the Eastern Region Soccer League path, partnered with N’ombeyawora and took Saruchera on board.
That has however, not erased the pain and anguish which Saruchera endured.
The former Cranborne Bullets gaffer believes the NRSL championship race will once again be a close contest this year.
While he has been very busy assembling a team that can stand toe to toe with the crème de la crème of the top-flight Saruchera has still kept one eye on developments in the NRSL.
“Last year was painful on our part after we failed to wrap up promotion on the final day.
“It was a really sad chapter for the team,” recalls Saruchera.
“But suffice to say it was an exciting term for football. And I see the same script or even better happening again in the NRSL given how the teams are preparing.
“There are a lot of clubs that can win promotion, and that will add to the excitement most definitely.”
Saruchera has deep knowledge about the NRSL having led to Premiership promotion for the trio of Cranborne Bullets, Black Rhinos and Flame Lily.
Having lived the experience Saruchera insists that it is difficult to predict which teams will be front runners for the NRSL title but thinks clubs like Rhinos, Cranborne Bullets, Rangers, Harare City and FC Oden can have some decent chances.
He is a proponent of development, and ahead of the PSL season, Saruchera believes: “Youngsters can do well as well. We have a lot of them at FC Hunters, and they are very good.
“We will be in the league to compete. We will be in there to play and enjoy the game.”
