Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
TONDERAI NDIRAYA was an assistant coach at Dynamos, when the Harare giants were crowned 2012 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions at Ascot, in Gweru.
Thirteen years later Ndiraya returns to the same venue today not in the blue of Dynamos and not as a lieutenant but as the “Member in Charge’’ at Scottland.
Scottland will be crowned 2025 champions after a historic season that saw them win the ultimate prize in domestic football in their debut top-flight season.
In the era of the PSL, no team has ever scaled the heights reached by Scottland.
Black Rhinos achieved the same feat back in 1984, but back then, the elite Division was known as the Super League.
Sadly Rhinos are also now languishing in Division One where they have been battling in the last two seasons to find their way back to the Premiership following their 2023 demotion.
Scottland will thus write a new chapter for the Premiership game at Ascot, where they will officially become the league champions.
While teams from the Midlands have often dabbled with relegation, Ascot has become significant with the Gweru venue, hosting a couple of coronation ceremonies since the turn of the millennium.
In 2012, DeMbare drew 1-1 against Hardbody in their last game of the season at Ascot and that result was good enough for the Harare giants to pip old enemies Highlanders to the title on superior goal difference.
As was the case in 2011, the 2012 championship was decided on the final day.
So dramatic was the finale, that the Premier Soccer League had to enlist the services of the Air Force of Zimbabwe for a helicopter that flew the trophy into Ascot Stadium, soon after the final whistle was blown.
In 2016, CAPS United were crowned champions at the same venue, after edging Chapungu 1-0, courtesy of an early strike by Simba Nhivi.
In drizzly weather conditions, in the Midlands capital, Lloyd Chitembwe made history as he became the first person to win the league title with Makepekepe both as a player and coach.
Chitembwe, a gritty midfielder in his hey days, was a key player in a swashbuckling CAPS United side that won the 1996 title under the late Steve Kwashi.
He was also part of Charles Mhaluri’s trailblazing squad that won the 2004 and 2005 championship titles.
On November 25, 2017, a day after President Mnangagwa — a Midlands son — was sworn into office, FC Platinum who also hail from the same province, were crowned champions at Ascot.
FC Platinum overcame Chapungu 2-0 to become the first team from outside Harare and Bulawayo to win a top-flight championship.
Only St Paul’s Musami had managed the feat in the era of colonial Rhodesia.
The PSL coronation ceremony returns to Ascot this afternoon, where Scottland’s name will be added on the list of champions.
Mabviravira wrapped up the title with two games to spare, but had to wait until today, for their crowning moment.
ZIFA Central Region board member, Pithias Shoko, says the people of Gweru are excited with the latest development.
“It’s a special day for the people of Gweru,” said Shoko.
“Obviously the City will be abuzz, there will be excitement and downstream business benefits for all, including vendors.
“I am sure Gweru will come to a standstill. It’s something special for the City and the Province at large.” PSL coronation ceremonies have been held in different venues and places since 2010, when Motor Action were crowned at Motor Action Sports Club in Harare.
Rufaro in Mbare hosted the ceremony in 2011 when Dynamos won their first championship since 2007, before Gweru took its turn a year later, with DeMbare clinching a second straight title under Kalisto Pasuwa.
Harare hosted the 2013 and 2014 ceremonies at Rufaro and National Sports Stadium respectively, with DeMbare retaining their dominance. Chicken Inn won the title in 2015 and the trophy presentation was held at Lafarge in Harare.
Ascot hosted the event in 2016 and 2017 when CAPS United and FC Platinum won the title. When FC Platinum won their second championship in 2018 and the ceremony was fittingly held at their home turf, Mandava, in Zvishavane.
The Zvishavane miners then went on to win the title in 2019 and 2022.
In 2019, the ceremony was at the National Sports Stadium while Mandava hosted the 2022 event. Ngezi Platinum Stars were crowned 2023 champions at Barbourfields in Bulawayo before Simba Bhora’s moment at Nyamhunga in Kariba last year. Away from Scottland’s coronation, which will come after their Match-day 34 clash with TelOne, the domestic game’s attention will be fixated on the Survival Series which has been scheduled for tomorrow.
It will be a day when the unthinkable could possibly happen — with any of Dynamos and Highlanders facing the grim prospects of being relegated.
Ironically Bosso and DeMbare along with CAPS United are not only the traditional giants of the national game but are the longest serving members of the PSL who have never been relegated in either the era of the Super League or the Premiership.
Dynamos host FC Platinum at Rufaro needing to avoid defeat to secure their place in the league. Bosso must also ensure they do not fall to Chicken Inn in the Bulawayo derby at Barbourfields. There are other exciting battles against relegation in Chisumbanje where GreenFuel host Triangle and at Sakubva where Bikita Minerals clash against Manica Diamonds.
