The 2026 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season begins this afternoon at Rufaro Stadium with newcomers FC Hunters taking on MWOS, the runners-up from the previous season.
Fc Hunters, who finished second on the log with 62 points last season, just seven behind champions Scottland, will face FC Hunters, who won the Eastern Region Soccer League division one title the previous year, to test their elite pedigree.
The 2024 winners Simba Bhora, four-time champions FC Platinum, reigning champions Scottland, and ZPC Kariba are among the formidable opponents FC Hunters will face in their first five games, starting with the MWOS match.
FC Hunters coach Nesbert “Yabo” Saruchera said his team is ready to compete.
“Our preparations are going very well. We have a decent team, but what I can promise is that you are all going to see a lot of youngsters who have never played in the top flight because I believe in developing young players.
“We know the league is going to be very competitive, but we are here to compete and ensure we are counted.
“We know the teams we are going to face in our upcoming fixtures and we can’t run away from them. We have to play them; that is the schedule we were given, and we are going to play these teams as dictated by the fixtures,” said Saruchera.
For MWOS coach Lloyd Mutasa, the fixture will be a crucial test for the new squad he has assembled after suffering significant losses of key players during the transfer window.
The Norton-based side lost Soccer Star finalist midfielder Abbubakar Moffat to rivals Scottland, while goalkeeper Martin Mapisa and midfielder Nigel Matinha joined newly promoted Hardrock FC.
They also parted ways with forwards Everson Feremba and Salif Cheya, as well as midfielder Gift Saunyama.
Meanwhile, the opening round of fixtures will continue tomorrow with a platinum derby pitting Ngezi Platinum Stars against FC Platinum at Baobab, while Dynamos travel to Gweru to face a tricky TelOne side at Ascot Stadium.
On Sunday, fans can look forward to a blockbuster encounter when league newcomers Hardrock FC host defending champions Scottland at the new Chahwanda Stadium in Kwekwe.
On the same day, Highlanders will host league returnees Bulawayo Chiefs at Barbourfields Stadium in a highly anticipated Bulawayo derby.
PSL Week One Fixtures
Today: FC Hunters v MWOS (Rufaro)
Tomorrow: Herentals v Chicken Inn (Rufaro), Triangle v ZPC Kariba (Gibbo), Ngezi Platinum Stars v FC Platinum (Baobab), TelOne v Dynamos (Ascot)
Sunday: Hardrock FC v Scottland (Chahwanda Stadium), CAPS United v Agama (Rufaro), Manica Diamonds v Simba Bhora (Gibbo), Highlanders v Bulawayo Chiefs (Barbourfields)
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