Faith Ndou
MASVINGO-The 2026 Pacific Storm Eastern Region Soccer League (PSERSL) season will burst into life on the 14th of March with a blockbuster opener pitting former Premier League clubs Bikita Minerals FC and Tenax CS FC at Lithium Stadium.
The PSERSL Chairperson Wisdom Simba confirmed the development to The Midweek Watch saying preparations for the curtain raiser are already underway.
“We are working flat out to ensure everything is in place for the season opener. The stadium is being prepared and we are excited to get the season underway,” said Simba.
Simba revealed that the league is likely to comprise 20 teams although a few clubs are yet to confirm their participation. Fixtures for the new campaign are expected to be released soon.
In preparation for the new season, the league will also host a club licensing workshop to be conducted by the ZIFA in Murambinda aimed at equipping clubs with compliance requirements ahead of kickoff scheduled for March 21.
While Yadah FC who were relegated from the Castl Lager PSL are yet to confirm their participation, their administration attended a recent league workshop on player registration held last month.
Across the region, teams are wrapping up trials and fine tuning squads ahead of the new campaign. Great Zimbabwe University FC have concluded trials for non-student players and are set to sign 11 new additions. The club has retained all student players from last season and will resume pre-season training on February 23 when the university reopens. The new technical team is led by head coach Pfumoreropa Nyambi, assisted by Taurai Mabaya and goalkeepers’ coach Charles Maphosa.
Masvingo United FC aka the Busmen are reportedly rebuilding after losing several players who were employees at Bikita Minerals and have since returned to their former club. The team is in a development phase, assembling a new look squad and already engaged in pre-season training.
At FC Wangu Mazodze aka Zhalala Zhululu trials have been completed with the club now focusing on positional identification ahead of their annual general meeting. The team is currently in camp at owner Richard Mazodze’s homestead in Chiwawa, Masvingo South. In pre-season action, FC Wangu Mazodze played Renco Mine FC drawing 0-0 in the first match before narrowly losing 1-0 in the second encounter.
Tenax CS FC have also concluded their trials and are finalising their squad. The club is undergoing technical changes following the departure of former head coach Blessing Madombi, who has joined Vhembe Stars Academy, a newly promoted Central Region Division One side. Tenax are expected to announce a new technical team in the first week of March.
Mutare City Rovers FC have retained 15 players from last season while adding new talent, focusing on players aged 25 and below. Among their prospects is 16-year-old high school student Solomon Marange from Nyahunu High School. They are scheduled to face newly promoted African Mineral Ventures in a friendly match at Sakubva Stadium this weekend.
In Murambinda, the local side has appointed Lovemore Dzoro, formerly Rusitu Tigers FC as head coach. The team is holding a pre-season camp at Dorowa Mine and plans to travel to Harare for a friendly match against Northern Region Division One side Black Mambas FC.
Renco Mine FC which finished among bottom clubs in 2025 appear well prepared for the upcoming season after securing full season sponsorship from RioZim Limited which will bankroll the team throughout the campaign. Preparations for the new season are already at an advanced stage as the club positions itself for a competitive run. The club is prioritising grassroots development and is set to recall high school students who featured for the team last season. At the same time, Renco Mine FC are strengthening the squad with experienced players to add depth and stability while maintaining key player Andrea Banda as part of their core structure for the new campaign.
Meanwhile, newly promoted Four Lions FC have strengthened their squad following trials and recently played out friendly draws against Masvingo United FC.
With clubs finalising squads, conducting camps and engaging in competitive friendlies, anticipation is mounting for what promises to be a thrilling PSERSL season.
