Zimbabwe: Hunters, MWOS FC fire blanks in Castle Lager PSL opener

Debutants FC Hunters dug deep as they shared the spoils at 0-0 with MWOS FC on Friday to open the 2026-2027 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) season in Zimbabwe.

MWOS coach Lloyd Mutasa unleashed his best starting XI with Valentine Katsande a notable figure in defence and Arthur Banda leading the opposite end of the Rufaro Stadium pitch in Harare.

Points shared at Rufaro this afternoon.
FC Hunters 0️⃣–0️⃣ MWOS FC
Catch the highlights 🎥 pic.twitter.com/iWeN8a8spu

— Castle Lager PSL ZW (@CastleLagerPSL) March 6, 2026

Goalkeeper Kelvin Shangiwa and experienced defender Ronald Phfumbidzai were the notable players for FC Hunters who surprisingly relegated experienced midfielder Denver Mukamba to the substitutes’ bench.

The only game on the opening day of the campaign produced missed scoring opportunity, a lack of cutting edge in either boxes and brilliant goalkeeping of Francis Tizayi for MWOS and FC Hunters’ Shangiwa.

How Castle Lager PSL opener panned out

The visitors came knocking on Hunters goal barely five minutes into the contest with Marcelline Mlilo pulling the trigger from long-range, but his effort flew way off target.

Some 18 minutes later, MWOS FC goalkeeper Tizayi produced two top-drawer back-to-back saves in quick succession to deny FC Hunters from close range in the 22nd minute.

The game produced also casualties due to injuries notably Tizayi who was unable to continue the game and Tedious Baye replaced him between the sticks.

MWOS FC coach Mutasa analyses draw

Reflecting on the result, Mutasa said his charges are yet to hit peak form hence did not play to their full potential.

“We played our first game not giving the intensity that we want but we will take it given it is our first game, and credit also goes to our opponents for their performance. We got into shooting positions and did not take our chances, but we learn and move,” he told the club’s media.

Starting line-ups: FC Hunters: Shangiwa, Ronald Pfumbidzai, Rasmarley Chipango, Junior Meya, Emmanuel Zinyama, Brighton Christopher, Praise Tonha, Tadiwanashe Huni, Ordain Sira, Elie Ilunga

MWOS: Tizayi, Clive Kwangwari, Tafadzwa Nyabunze, Valentine Katsande, Innocent Zambezi, Marceline Mlilo, Billy Veremu, Malvern Mudzuka, Mathew Murambiwa, Arthur Banda, Tinotenda Mutyambizi

Centre Referee: Tichaona Mbire

1st Asst: Virimai Muroiwa

2nd Asst: Tanatswa Masawi

4th Asst: Tichaona Tigere

Match Commissioner: Gladmore Muzambi