FC Hunters fighting on three fronts as PSL survival battle meets cup fairytale
FC Hunters’ dream debut season in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League has turned into a three-front war with Premier Soccer League survival and two cup semi-finals now all in play for Nesbert “Yabo” Saruchera’s men.
The former Eastern Region Soccer League champions, who were expected to be fighting only for survival this year, are now 90 minutes away from two potential finals after reaching the last four of both major cup competitions.
Over the weekend in the ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup, Hunters pulled off another giant-killing act, knocking out Harare giants CAPS United via a penalty shootout to book their place in the semi-finals.
It is a familiar script for Saruchera’s side, who had already beaten Makepekepe 1-0 away at Rufaro Stadium in Round 24 of the league.
The fairytale does not end there as Hunters are also in the semi-finals of the Chibuku Super Cup where they will face Hardrock FC.
That will be a grudge rematch after the painful 6-1 league defeat they suffered in Round 10, but also a shot at redemption.
Hunters have already announced themselves in that competition by knocking out holders and Harare giants Dynamos on penalties, after earlier holding the Glamour Boys to a thrilling 2-2 draw at Rufaro in Round 17.
But before the cup dreams continue, league business returns this weekend with a massive relegation six-pointer.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League action is back this weekend as the league enters Matchday 30. Yabo’s charges travel to Wadzanai Stadium in Shamva to face Agama FC.
It promises to be a very exciting and tense fixture given what is at stake at the bottom. Agama are 15th on the log on 29 points and occupy the last relegation spot. They desperately need all three points at home to bolster their survival chances.
For Hunters, sitting 13th on 31 points, the equation is just as clear. Saruchera’s men are six points above Agama and six points clear of the drop if results go their way, and a win in Shamva would move them further away from the choppy waters of relegation with only a handful of games left before the curtain comes down.
Their survival push was given a huge boost last time out with a crucial 1-0 win over Manica Diamonds.
It was their 6th win of the season, Hunters now have 6 wins, 13 draws and 10 losses from 29 games, scoring 22 and conceding 33 for 31 points.
What has kept Hunters alive is their resilience and ability to avoid defeat. With 13 draws, they are among the biggest draw specialists in the league.
That includes hard-earned points away at Ngezi Platinum Stars 0-0 in Round 28, at FC Platinum 1-1 on match day 20, and that 2-2 comeback against Dynamos in Harare. For a team that won the Eastern Region in 2025, this debut PSL season was meant to be about learning and surviving.
Five league games ago that was still the narrative. Now, Nesbert Saruchera’s men are four games from confirmed PSL safety, and 180 minutes from making history with two cup finals.
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