Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
WHAT began as a fairytale debut season for Premier Soccer League newcomers Scottland is rapidly turning into a cautionary tale.
Behind the glitz of high-profile signings and social media buzz, the Mabvuku-based side is being rocked by internal strife, a toxic cocktail of executive interference, player discontent, contract controversies and staff departures that threatens to unravel the club’s foundations.
Zimpapers Sports Hub has been digging beneath the glossy surface and uncovered a club in turmoil, where even the most celebrated names are walking on eggshells and not just because of form.
The club’s founder and financial backbone, flamboyant businessman and legislator Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya, finds himself at the centre of an implosion many insiders say has been long in the making.
Despite fielding a star-studded squad that includes reigning Soccer Star of the Year Walter Musona and Warriors forward Khama Billiat, Scottland have delivered lukewarm results on the pitch. But it’s the boardroom drama bleeding into technical decisions that has tongues wagging.
Following a 1-0 loss to Ngezi Platinum Stars at Rufaro on March 14, Sakupwanya was captured in a viral video angrily questioning how his team could lose with “star players in every position”.
His tirade didn’t end there, he appeared to accuse head coach Tonderai Ndiraya of selecting underperforming players.
Sources say the coach is often pressured to play individuals handpicked by Sakupwanya, effectively compromising tactical autonomy.
“The boss brings in his own players and expects them to feature regardless of form,” said a club insider. “It’s a nightmare for the technical bench.”
This, according to players, is one of several reasons why morale is dangerously low some even regret joining the club despite lucrative contracts.
More fuel was added to the fire on April 11, when Sakupwanya’s Northern Region Division One side, N’ombeyawora, trounced PAM FC 4-0. Instead of celebrating quietly, the gold dealer used the opportunity to publicly chastise Scottland.
“This is the type of football we should be seeing,” he said. “The senior team (Scottland) should come and take notes. Honestly, I think I gave the wrong team the name Scottland.”
While the comments might have been intended as a rallying cry, they instead sparked more friction behind closed doors. “It was like he rubbed salt into our wounds,” said one player. “We were already low on confidence.”
Beneath the surface, a deeper crisis is unfolding one that may invite legal repercussions. Following their aggressive transfer market spree, Scottland ballooned their squad to over 40 players. Some were promptly loaned out, including Tymon Mvula, King Nadolo, and Innocent Muchaneka. But the deals weren’t all smooth.
Mvula’s move to Yadah was stalled for weeks due to missing loan documentation.
“He refused to report for duty because there was no paperwork. It was a mess,” said a source close to the negotiations.
Even more disturbing are allegations that some Scottland players were asked to sign only one copy of their contracts instead of the four required by PSL rules.
According to the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe (FUZ), one copy each should go to the player, club, ZIFA and the PSL. But insiders claim criminal elements within the club forged the remaining three inflating figures presented to Sakupwanya, effectively siphoning funds from the club’s salary budget.
With monthly wage and bonus commitments said to hover around US$120 000, the owner may be unknowingly bleeding money, while those around him cash in.
When Zimpapers Sports Hub contacted Scottland CEO for comment, he referred all media queries to the club’s media liaison officer, Sindiso Dube.
Upon contact, Dube said he would respond after consulting with the CEO, but had not done so by the time of publication.
The turbulent atmosphere has prompted an exodus of both players and staff. On Tuesday, Thulani Javas Sibanda widely credited with amplifying Scottland’s digital presence left the club, taking up the role of CEO at Bulawayo Chiefs. His exit came amid reports of rising friction among non-playing staff.
More surprisingly, some within the Scottland leadership only learned of his departure via social media the next morning. Now, rumblings suggest another senior executive is preparing to follow suit.
Despite boasting one of the most talented rosters in the league and paying some of the highest salaries, Scottland are underperforming.
After drawing 1-1 with F.C Platinum recently, coach Ndiraya voiced familiar frustrations.
“We did well in the first half, but we dropped concentration and allowed them back into the game,” he said. “We’re improving, but we need consistency.”
Yet this is not the first time Ndiraya has cited mental lapses perhaps a symptom of deeper unrest within his squad.
Scottland entered the 2025 season as title favourites. Now, with just 12 points from their opening seven matches, they find themselves five points behind bitter rivals MWOS heading into Matchday 8. Whispers about Ndiraya’s job security are growing louder.
Scottland’s short-lived fairytale is teetering on the brink of a nightmare. For a club that promised to shake up the PSL with star power and bold ambitions, their greatest battle may not be fought on the pitch but within their own camp.
Until internal issues are resolved, not even a bottomless purse or big-name roster can mask the cracks threatening to break the club apart.
