Online Reporter
Mugove Chigada, Zimpapers Sports Hub
CHAMPIONS Scottland shifted the entire coaches’ market yesterday when they moved quickly to secure Norman Mapeza, a move that ends weeks of speculation after Tonderai Ndiraya’s exit and opens a new chapter in a fast-evolving Premier Soccer League puzzle. The appointment, sealed after a sudden swing in talks, adds fresh uncertainty to an already congested merry-go-round involving at least six top-flight clubs.
Mapeza had been widely linked with Hardrock before Scottland’s late push, a twist that now shapes the next appointments at CAPS United, Dynamos, FC Platinum, Simba Bhora, Hardrock and Ngezi Platinum. The names in this carousel include Ndiraya, who has been targeted by Ngezi and Hardrock, Kalisto Pasuwa, Kelvin Kaindu, Takesure Chiragwi and Joel Luphahla.
Zimpapers Sports Hub understands that many of these expected deals were still being negotiated late yesterday, although most should be concluded in the coming days.
Mapeza’s confirmation immediately shifted the field. Pasuwa, once seen as a frontrunner for the Scottland job after the Afcon finals in Morocco, remains available and complicates the final moves by several clubs who had hoped to seal their own arrangements quietly.
It was the manner of Mapeza’s unveiling that showed how fast the ground is moving. Hours after bidding farewell to FC Platinum following their match against Dynamos, a video emerged showing him and his manager Gibson Mahachi shaking hands with club owner Pedzisayi “Scott” Sakupwanya, benefactor Wicknell Chivayo and other Scottland officials. The club has not revealed the financial details of the agreement.
Mapeza had hinted after his final FC Platinum game that he would return next season, though he kept his next destination close to his chest. “There are about 50 days (before the start of the new season). Fifty days to rest. Let me go and have time to fish,” he said.
Yesterday morning, before the video surfaced, Mahachi declined to give any indication. “When there is something, we will notify you,” he said. Chivayo’s post settled the matter a few hours later.
Ndiraya’s own exit earlier this week has sparked interest from clubs that had already been tracking him. The coach, who made history by winning titles in back-to-back seasons with different sides, is again linked with Ngezi Platinum and Hardrock.
Ngezi have kept quiet on their direction, especially with Chiragwi expected to leave for CAPS United. A source close to the club said they had held off making changes mid-season to avoid disruption after CAPS had already agreed terms with Chiragwi.
“So, the compensation issue was just a way of keeping him at least up to the end of the season. Now, they have room to restrategise and make a decision,” the source said.
“If Chiragwi leaves, Ndiraya will be in the picture because they tried to get him back when he was still at Dynamos. But you cannot also rule out a Pasuwa approach.”
CAPS United, who parted ways with Ian Bakala and his technical team recently, are expected to confirm their new coach today. “We are open to all possibilities; it could be a completely new team or a version of an old setup. We need to reassemble, but we will make a formal announcement once those decisions are final. You will only get the full details of the club’s plans after the appointment of the technical team,” chief executive Morton Dodzo said.
FC Platinum, long known for their structured planning, have not confirmed their next steps after parting ways with Mapeza by mutual consent. Luphahla is widely tipped to take over, a move that could send its own ripple through the market.
Simba Bhora, who are already aware their coach is moving on, have also begun sounding out potential replacements.
Kaindu’s name remains in the mix too. The Dynamos coach has been approached by more than one club, although he is expected to stay at DeMbare unless Hardrock pull off another surprise.
“The Zambian has already been approached by a couple of clubs. He understands that DeMbare are fully behind him. His condition, however, is stability in 2026, and not these stories of players sometimes boycotting training over unpaid dues,” said an official close to the talks.
“After Chibuku Super Cup, his next step will be known and it is also depended on Dynamos next executive, expected to be announced next week.”
