Newcomers Zambezi Steelers, who earned promotion from the First Division this season, defied expectations to finish third in the Paramount Under-20 Premier League round-robin stage.
They ended the campaign level on 25 points with Old Hararians but edged ahead due to a superior points difference, securing a spot in the semi-finals.
The Steelers’ journey began with a baptism of fire against three-time champions Pitbulls in Week 1. They held their own in the first half but were eventually blown away in the second period, succumbing to a 45-10 defeat.
Week 2 brought another stern test against Old Hararians. Despite a spirited performance, they fell short again, losing 33-15.
However, the Steelers finally broke their losing streak in Week 3 with a dominant 45-0 victory over Zimbru. Their momentum grew further in Week 4 as they shut out Northern Chiefs 24-0, marking their second win of the season.
The defining moment of their campaign came in Week 5 when they stunned a star-studded Old Georgians side 26-12 on their home turf. Munangi Kamwendo’s tactical brilliance and Mazvita Sithole’s explosive running proved instrumental.
Sithole’s two-try performance electrified a packed crowd and cemented his status as a key player.
The Steelers reinforced their playoff credentials with a 24-3 dismantling of a hapless Marondera Talons before sealing their semi-final spot in the final round by overcoming Harare Sports Club 26-17.
Semi-Final Clash Set
Zambezi Steelers will now face Old Hararians Sports Club in the Paramount U20 Premiership semi-finals, with the date and venue to be confirmed.
Speaking to Zimbuzz Sports, Steelers head coach Ricky Chirengende expressed pride in his team’s journey:
“We’re definitely very excited about how far we’ve come this season. We had a slow start, losing our first two games, but then we went on to beat two giants, Harare Sports Club and Old Georgians. That was a turning point for us.”
Chirengende credited the team’s success to a well-structured technical unit, which includes Lucky Sithole, Charles Gamhiwa, Tawanda Vundhla, and Antoine Palsman, as well as an outstanding medical team led by Amanda Tererai.
“Many people doubted us and thought we’d be the whipping boys. At times, we trained with only six guys on a Monday, just working on micro-skills.
“But the players bought into the vision. Some of them came from schools where they never really got the limelight—places like Watershed College, Allan Wilson, and Goromonzi. At Steelers, they found a place where they were appreciated, and that showed in their performances.”
Eyes on the Final
Looking ahead to the semi-final against Old Hararians, Chirengende remains cautious but confident:
“Old Hararians have only lost twice this season, so we have massive respect for them. They beat us in the round-robin, but we’re not the same team we were back then.
“We’ve grown in confidence, and we’ll go into that semi-final with the same desperation we’ve shown in our group games. Our goal is to reach the final, but regardless of the outcome, we’re immensely proud of what we’ve achieved this season. That said, we’re still hungry for more.”
The Zambezi Steelers have already made a statement in their debut season now, they aim to take it a step further.
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