By McGeorge Mbare
BLANKET Mine head to one of the biggest matches of their 2026 season on Saturday against Shurugwi as they attempt to secure what would be their historic first ever title in the Central Region Soccer League.
The Barbers, Blanket Mine, travel to face Shurugwi knowing that only victory will give them their first ever title.
The situation feels unfamiliar for long-time followers of the Central Region Soccer League league, as only Beitbridge in the Matebeleland South has had teams promoted into the premiership.
Border Strikers in 2016 played premiership football which has never been tasted anywhere else in the province
Fortunately, a Gwanda team can clinch the title comfortably, with a huge 7 points margin and games to spare.
Blanket sit on 77 points, seven points clear of second-placed Kwekwe United.
It has been a season of progress for the club, as they have recorded 31 unbeaten games.
Their league title chase has been built on a number of factors, not least the profligacy of their rivals, but there might be few who would deny that the club deserves to lift the trophy.
The Barbers love to play up their status as a ‘small club’ among the big boys, with their coach, Petros Jukulile, having the ultimate goal of winning the league title in style and possibly adding another historic achievement to his career.
A win on Saturday against Shurugwi will see Blanket Mine being promoted to the Premier Soccer League and becoming the first-ever team from Gwanda to be promoted to the top flight league.
Speaking ahead of the match, Jukulile expressed his belief in his players while also highly praising his opponents, who are battling relegation.
“We are hoping to win this. If it comes on Saturday, it’s fine. It’s going to be a tough match indeed, but we always try our best. Our opponents are one of the teams that are also determined to secure points just like us,” Jukulile said.
Having won the league title in 2014 and 2019 with Whawha, Jukulile is now on the verge of securing the third title of his career in the Central Region.
One of the prominent players in the spotlight for Blanket Mine is Nhlabati Mathew, who has now scored 20 goals in 31 matches.
He is the leading top scorer for the 2026 season.
Mathew plays a critical role in Blanket Mine’s ongoing success.
Jukulile hailed Mathew as a great forward who is also a team player and will continue to play a critical role in the club’s title chase.