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Innocent Kurira, [email protected]

ARENEL Movers are sweating over the fitness of first-choice goalkeeper Aaron Ngwenya ahead of the start of the 2024 Castle Lager Premier Soccer season this coming weekend.

The sweets makers will start their campaign against Castle Lager Premier Soccer defending champions Ngezi Platinum Stars at Luveve Stadium.

Ngezi Platinum will go into the fixture with confidence as they are fresh from winning the Castle Challenge Cup which is a season-opening cup competition. 

Arenel Movers’ main goalminder, Ngwenya, is battling a shoulder injury ahead of the big tie.

On their way to gaining promotion, Ngwenya kept 29 clean sheets in a season that saw Arenel scoring 78 goals while conceding a paltry five.

Ngwenya missed Arenel’s final preparatory game on Saturday in which they lost 1-0 to Telone.

Coach Farai Tawachera is hoping Ngwenya will be back between the sticks for the season opener. 

“We hope he will be ready. He is a key member of the squad and one of the most experienced players we have on the side. We will assess how bad the injury is, hopefully, it’s not too serious. For the friendly we could not risk playing him for the fear he will aggravate the injury,” said Tawachera.

Arenel kept the majority of the side that won them promotion and added a few new faces into the fray.

Defender Moses Jackson and midfielder Crispen Machisi are some of the experienced players who have joined the team.

Already the team had experience in the form of former Highlanders midfielders Simon Munawa and Brian Jaravaza.

Ngwenya has previously played for Bulawayo City in the Premiership.

Ironically his first and last games in the topflight league were against Highlanders and Dynamos respectively.

He has had stints with several lower-division teams since he began his career. -@innocentskizoe