MWOS FC Suffer First Defeat of the Season to Ngezi Platinum Stars
MWOS FC’s unbeaten run this season came to a crushing end at Baobab Stadium, where Ngezi Platinum Stars delivered a masterclass in resilience to secure a 3-1 victory. The Punters, who had been flying high, suffered a surprising loss in a match filled with drama, defensive lapses, and missed opportunities.
Ngezi came flying out of the blocks, capitalizing on defensive frailties within just two minutes to take an early lead. The Punters looked shell-shocked as Ngezi dominated possession, pressing high and forcing errors. It took 17 grueling minutes for MWOS to regain composure, but their persistence paid off when Billy Veremu rose highest to nod home his 10th goal of the campaign, leveling the score in the 19th minute.
The first half turned into a thrilling contest, with both sides trading blows in a midfield battle. Innocent Zambezi’s brief injury scare in the 30th minute had fans holding their breath, but the warrior-like defender soldiered on. MWOS finished the half strongly, bombarding Ngezi’s defense with waves of attacks, yet the hosts held firm to keep it 1-1 at halftime.
The introduction of Godfrey Manase at the back was meant to shore up MWOS’s defense, but Ngezi had other ideas. Just seven minutes into the second half, they unleashed a thunderbolt from outside the box to retake the lead. MWOS threw everything forward, bringing on Salif Cheya, Tyrone Matongorere, Jeremiah Makingure, and Claude Mapoka in a desperate search for an equalizer.
However, Ngezi delivered the killer blow in the 73rd minute, slotting home a third to put the game beyond doubt. Despite late surges from MWOS, the hosts stood tall, their defense unbreakable as they condemned the Punters to their first loss of the season.
A philosophical Lloyd Mutasa admitted defeat was inevitable at some point. “We knew this day was coming. No one can prepare for it, but losing was bound to happen. We’ll go back to the drawing board, identify our weaknesses, and come back stronger,” said the MWOS head coach. The Punters remain second in the table with 34 points, just one behind leaders Simba Bhora as the league reaches its midway point.
The defeat serves as a wake-up call for Mutasa’s men, who must now regroup quickly. With the title race heating up, their response in the coming weeks will define whether this was just a minor stumble or the start of a worrying slump. One thing is certain—the Punters will need to tighten up at the back and rediscover their cutting edge if they are to reclaim top spot.
For now, Ngezi Platinum Stars take the plaudits after a statement victory, while MWOS must lick their wounds and prepare for the battles ahead. The beautiful game is unforgiving, and as this match proved, no team is invincible.