As clubs put the finishing touches to their squads ahead of the 2026–27 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season, which kicks off on Friday excitement is building not only on the pitch but also in the stands. In Mutare and across Manicaland, one supporter is preparing for the new campaign with the same intensity as the players. Known simply as “One Mbappe”, Simbarashe Blessing Makono has become one of the most recognisable figures in local football circles famed for his booming chants, boundless energy and unwavering devotion to the game.
Born on 26 October 1996, the 30-year-old’s journey began on the field rather than in the terraces. Between 2016 and 2018, he played for local sides Greenfuel FC and Skyline FC before stepping away from competitive football. Though his playing career was short-lived, his passion for the sport endured.
As the new season beckons, One Mbappe says he is ready. “Football is our life here. When the games start, the whole community comes alive.
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We don’t just watch the match, we become part of it,” he said. “ For years he was a familiar presence supporting Mutare’s Premier League side Manica Diamonds FC. However, he parted ways with the club midway through last season citing a lack of recognition from its leadership.
He has since shifted his allegiance to Mwos FC where he is now permanently employed and continues to rally fans with undiminished enthusiasm. Unlike many match-goers, One Mbappe sees supporting as a responsibility.
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