Online Reporter
The 2026 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season is already promising to be more exciting than last season’s campaign, which had been touted as the best at least since the COVID pandemic.
Scottland won the 2025 title in their debut Premiership season, powered by a solid financial backing that helped them acquire some of the country’s top stars.
While the newcomers were making Premiership history, the country’s heavyweights -Dynamos, Highlanders and Caps United were battling to survive.
There is nothing to suggest a new era at both Dynamos and Highlanders so far in the new year, Caps United seem determined to turn the tables this year.
Apart from assembling a new squad, they are also set to spend around two weeks in Malawi on pre-season preparations.
Newcomers Hardrock have been the busiest on the transfer market by acquiring some of the country’s sought after talent to work under Kelvin Kaindu.
They had been the dominant feature on the transfer market, virtually grabbing all the attention.
However, Scottland pulled another shocker by snatching legend Petee Ndlovu from African heavyweights, Mamelodi Sundowns.
He joined as Scottland manager on a two-year contract.
Ndlovu will work with another legend, former Warriors captain Norman Mapeza who is the head coach.
That is a dream combination that will add to the exciting build up to the 2026 season.
Mapeza and Ndlovu are heading a project that also has some of the more recent heavyweights like Knowledge Musona, Khama Billiat, Walter Musona, Terrence Dzvukamanja as players.
Zimbabwean football has produced many talented players and passionate servants, but few names carry the enduring weight, respect and symbolism of Peter Ndlovu and Mapeza.
Though their careers unfolded in different eras and along different paths, the value of their contribution to the game transcends goals scored, matches won or trophies lifted.
Together, Ndlovu and Mapeza represent excellence, resilience and continuity.
Peter Ndlovu’s contribution to Zimbabwean football is, quite simply, historic. At a time when African footballers were still viewed with suspicion in Europe, Ndlovu shattered barriers with elegance and humility. Becoming the first African player to feature in the English Premier League when he signed for Coventry City in 1991, Ndlovu did not just open doors for himself; he unlocked them for generations that followed.
His success abroad redefined what was possible for a Zimbabwean footballer and elevated the country’s footballing image on the global stage.
In an era when Zimbabwean football needed belief, Ndlovu embodied it.
Equally important was his unwavering commitment to the national team.
Despite the demands of top-flight European football, Ndlovu consistently answered the call to represent Zimbabwe, often at great personal sacrifice.
His leadership during landmark moments − including the Warriors’ qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2004 − provided both inspiration and legitimacy to the team. He was not merely a star abroad; he remained a servant at home.
Having him back in domestic football can only bring excitement.
Domestic football is surely coming back!
