HARARE - The Northern Region Soccer League (NRSL) Division One 2013 season will start this weekend with former Zimbabwean champions Monomotapa and Motor Action, relegated from the top-flight last season, unable to take part.
Monomotapa, who won the PSL title in 2008 and 2010 champions Motor Action, had been weighed down by financial challenges, leading to their relegation from the Castle Premiership last year.
Motor Action owner Eric Rosen last season put up the club’s franchise for sale saying the challenges of running it had become unsustainable.
A Monomotapa spokesperson yesterday said the club will now run as an academy.
Without these two clubs, the NSRL has forced to start the league with 18 teams instead of the desired 20.
Meanwhile, last season’s runners up, Flame Lilly, will get their campaign underway tomorrow with a tricky assignment against former Premiership side Black Mambas in a battle for uniformed forces bragging rights.
Black Mambas were relegated last year after losing the battle for survival in the Castle Premiership.
The opening fixtures also see Mushowani take on Starbill, who finished in 11th position last season.
Last season, Mushowani proved to be a force to reckon in their debut campaign and will be targeting for the championship this season.
Fixtures
DStv Rangers v Commando (Old Hararians), Blue Swallows v Lake Harvest (Manyame), Mushowani v Starbill (Afdis), Flame Lilly v Black Mambas (Chikurubi), ZRP Morris v DC Academy (Morris), Karoi United v Ngezi Platinum (Chikangwe),Gunners v Bindura (Lafarge), Royal Classic v Twalumba (Tsungubvi), Seven Flames v Chegutu Pirates (Rufaro).