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.
