Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
IN a nail-biting finish to the season, Rozvie Empire has been crowned the 2024 Mutare Pool League champions, laying claim to the title by just one point.
Their triumphant campaign marks their fifth championship title, adding to similar achievements during the 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Soul City secured the bridesmaids slot on the final log standings, while Villa Spot came third.
Acid Pool Club, who will most probably feel hard done after having six points docked for using one of their players omitted on the 2024 season registration, are in fourth place – six points adrift eventual league winners – Rozvie.
Last year’s winners, Shoverland were a distant fifth position.
Rozvie Pool Club chairman, Willard ‘Sir Dollar’ Ngorima, praised his players for being dedicated till the last day of the season.
“As a club, we are excited that we managed to extend our dominance in the league. Everyone knows that Rozvie is a citadel of snooker in Mutare, and numbers don’t lie. We have been champions for an unmatched five times. To that end, I really want to thank our players for their dedication to duty, and remaining resolute until the end of the season,” he said.
Ngorima said they are looking forward to build yet another formidable outfit ahead of the start of the next season.
“There is no doubt that the game of pool is gaining popularity in Mutare and elsewhere around the country, therefore the level of competition is increasing with each passing day.
“This is the reason why we are now going back to the drawing board to ensure that we assemble yet another formidable team for the 2025 season,” he said.
Mutare Pool League chairman, Peter Makwanzini, congratulated Rozvie for winning the 2024 MPL season.
Makwanzini commended the MPL affiliates for discipline and high level competition that prevailed in the 2024 season.
“Their (Rozvie Pool Club) impressive performance has earned them this championship, and we really want to congratulate them for that. They deserved the victory. Rozvie fought very hard to win the league title, and also Soul City did well to end in second position. We hope that they are going to represent Manicaland well in the National Champions League in December, including all top five teams.
“Overally, as MPL, we are happy with the dedication, discipline and high level of competition from our affiliate clubs. We are looking forward to a great 2025 season,” he said.
