THE MCM Estates Northern Region Soccer League (NRSL) kicked off over the weekend with a rare and striking trend — all 11 opening fixtures produced clean sheets, underlining a round dominated by defensive discipline.

Across matches played on Friday and Saturday, not a single team that conceded managed to find the back of the net, an unusual occurrence at the start of a campaign often known for attacking flair.

Only two sides managed to score more than once, with Harare City beating CP Chemicals 2-0 on Friday, while Black Rhinos matched that feat with a 2-0 victory over Cranborne Bullets.

Elsewhere, narrow 1-0 wins and goalless draws defined the weekend’s action.

The results suggest teams are still finding rhythm, with caution outweighing attacking intent. Defensive organisation stood out, limiting clear-cut chances.

As the season progresses, focus will shift to whether teams can improve their finishing or if the low-scoring pattern will continue.

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