The Castle Lager Premier Soccer League landscape has been dramatically redrawn after Matchday 12, with surprise package MWOS FC establishing a three-point cushion at the summit following their ruthless 4-0 demolition of basement dwellers Kwekwe United. The Norton-based outfit’s dominant display, spearheaded by Billy Veremu’s hat-trick heroics, has sent shockwaves through a league where traditional powerhouses now find themselves staring at the abyss.
New Lords of the Castle
MWOS’s coronation as winter pacesetters (W26 Pts) represents the season’s defining narrative. Their free-scoring form – 15 goals in 12 outings – combines defensive solidity (just 4 conceded) with attacking verve that’s left opponents chasing shadows.
The contrast with Kwekwe United (W7 Pts) couldn’t be starker. Rooted to the foot of the table, their defensive frailties were brutally exposed at MWOS Ngoni Stadium. With just one win all season, Kwekwe are in need of positive results in the coming weeks if they are to avoid relegation.
Chasing Pack Stumble
Second-placed Scottland FC (W23 Pts) saw their momentum checked by a stubborn Manica Diamonds (W16 Pts) in a dour Sakubva stalemate. The result extended Manica’s worrying winless run to five games – a far cry from their early-season top-four promise.
Defending champions Simba Bhora (W22 Pts) served notice of their lingering threat with a 4-0 thrashing of hapless Triangle United FC. For Triangle (W8 Pts), Genesis Mangombe’s appointment has yet to spark a revival, with the sugar boys now second-bottom and in dire need of a turnaround.
Midfield Melee & Fallen Giants
The league’s middle order remains congested, with Herentals (W19 Pts) the surprise package in fourth after benefiting from a 3-point arbitration award. Their 1-0 victory over Ngezi Platinum (W17 Pts) highlighted the miners’ alarming decline from early pacesetters to eighth-place also-rans.
Traditional heavyweights continue to flounder spectacularly. Highlanders (W18 Pts) slipped to fifth after a 2-1 defeat to ZPC Kariba (W18 Pts), while Harare giants Dynamos and CAPS United languish in 16th and 14th, respectively, after another underwhelming derby stalemate. The Glamour Boys’ predicament is particularly dire – their solitary win all season making a mockery of pre-season title predictions.
Unbeaten Records & Relegation Dogfights
Two unbeaten records remain intact: leaders MWOS and perennial contenders FC Platinum (W16 Pts), though the latter’s ten draws highlight their struggle to turn dominance into victories. At the bottom, Bikita Minerals (W11 Pts) and Chicken Inn (W12 Pts) are scrapping for every point in what promises to be a brutal survival battle.
The Road Ahead
As the season approaches its midway point, MWOS’s fairytale shows no signs of ending. Their Matchday 13 trip to Green Fuel will test title credentials against a physical opponent fighting to escape the lower reaches. Meanwhile, the pressure mounts on underperforming giants, with the PSL’s new order threatening to become a permanent revolution.
For Kwekwe and Triangle, the warning signs are flashing red. In a league where seven points separate fourth from twelfth, the coming weeks could make or break campaigns – both at the summit and in the dreaded drop zone.
