HARDROCK NARROW GAP AT TOP

SCOTTLAND FC stayed at the top of the standings of the 2026 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) championship despite drawing with MWOS 0-0 in a tightly contested tie at Rufaro on Sunday.

With matches getting fewer, the defending champions still carry the favourites tag.

The league leaders have amassed 53 points from 25 matches, having won 15 games, drawn eight and lost just twice. Their impressive title charge has been built on a formidable defence that has conceded only eight goals while the team has scored 39, giving them the best defensive record in the league.

Hot on their heels are Hardrock FC, who remain firmly in contention on 51 points from 26 matches. The miners have emerged as Scottland’s biggest challengers after scoring a league-high 44 goals while conceding only 17, leaving the championship race delicately poised.

“For us, winning three games in a row gives us confidence,” said Hardrock gaffer Kelvin Kaindu.

He added: “Seeing Navaya (Washington) scoring two goals was brilliant. It was not an easy game. Manica Diamonds wanted to win; they were strong, but we give credit to the team.”

Dynamos and Herentals College FC occupy third and fourth positions respectively on 45 points, although Herentals have played a game more.

Ngezi Platinum Stars complete the top five on 44 points and remain within touching distance should the leading quartet falter.

CAPS United are sixth on 42 points, while Highlanders’ hopes of challenging for the title have been undermined by too many drawn matches and recent losses to ZPC Kariba and CAPS United.

Bosso have shared the spoils on 13 occasions this season, the highest in the division, leaving them seventh on 37 points despite suffering only four defeats.

“We conceded two soft goals against CAPS United. It was a game of two halves and from there we never recovered. In the last 30 minutes, we had to give other players a run as we knew that we were never going to come back.

You can tell at times that you are not going to come back. We had a bad week; we only trained for three days following the tragedy that befell us, but we are not going to hide behind that,” said Bosso head coach Benjani Mwaruwari.

MWOS FC continue to enjoy a respectable campaign, sitting eighth with 35 points. Former champions Simba Bhora are ninth on 34 points, while Chicken Inn complete the top 10 with 33 points after an inconsistent season.

FC Platinum are 11th on 32 points, with Bulawayo Chiefs 12th on 30 points as they continue to look over their shoulders in the battle to avoid relegation.

The fight for survival remains intense. ZPC Kariba are 13th on 28 points, followed by FC Hunters on 27. Agama FC, TelOne and Manica Diamonds occupy the remaining relegation-threatened positions.

“It’s still game on; we still have over 30 points to fight for. It’s still open, as you can see teams are not moving ,” said Manica Diamonds head coach Herbert Maruwa.

Triangle United remain rooted to the foot of the table with only 15 points from 26 matches after managing just three victories all season.

The Lowveld outfit face an uphill task if they are to preserve their Premier Soccer League status.

With the title race and relegation battle both finely balanced, the remaining fixtures promise an exciting climax to the 2026 season.