Online Reporter
Mugove Chigada
Zimpapers Sports Hub
NEWLY-crowned Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions Scottland yesterday flexed their financial muscle, immediately moving to replace Tonderai Ndiraya by landing one of the most decorated local coaches, Norman Mapeza, ahead of the 2026 season.
The move to bring Mapeza on board also ended speculation that had gone into overdrive, the moment Scottland announced Ndiraya’s shock departure, just days after they were officially handed the PSL championship silverware and medals at Ascot in Gweru last Saturday.
On a day when a flurry of coach movements hogged the limelight, CAPS United who sacked Ian Bakala earlier in the week announced they would be unveiling a new manager today.
FC Platinum have also lured Joel Luphahla, leaving Simba Bhora in search of a new man in charge.
Hardrock, who seemed to have secured the Mapeza signature before Scottland literally pulled the rug from under their feet, are now being heavily linked with Zambian gaffer Kelvin Kaindu.
Kaindu’s initial deal with Dynamos will end after tomorrow’s Chibuku Super Cup final clash against Triangle at Gibbo.
It is also unclear where Ndiraya’s next destination is amid strong links with a return to Ngezi Platinum Stars.
Mapeza, who had initially been linked with a move to Hardrock before the sudden turn of events, paves way for more surprise appointments from at least six clubs. These include CAPS United, Dynamos, FC Platinum, Simba Bhora, Hardrock and Ngezi.
Kaindu has reportedly been approached by Hardrock despite Dynamos’ desperate bid to cling onto the former Highlanders coach.
Zimpapers Sports Hub understands that by yesterday, most of the expected deals were not cast in stone but are expected to be sealed in the coming days.
Confirmation of Mapeza’s appointment at Mabviravira, means former Dynamos coach Kalisto Pasuwa, who was one of the favourites to join Scottland after the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco, remain in the market and complicates life for other coaches on the brink of sealing deals.
And it was Mapeza’s shock appointment yesterday which proved anything is possible.
Mapeza, who waved goodbye to FC Platinum after their last game against Dynamos, appeared on a video along with his manager Gibson Mahachi shaking hands with Scottland owner Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya, club benefactor Wicknell Chivayo, secretary-general Fortune Bgoni and vice-chairman Musa Gwasira.
Finer details of the deal which Scottland thrashed with Mapeza were not immediately made available.
The former Warriors coach and captain had, however, hinted he would come back next season after waving goodbye to FC Platinum, but had kept everyone guessing on his exact destination.
“There are about 50 days (before the start of the new season). Fifty days to rest. Let me go and have time to fish,” Mapeza said after his last game for FC Platinum.
Early yesterday, before the unofficial unveiling, his manager Gibson Mahachi said he was not ready to comment on anything when reached for comment.
“When there is something, we will notify you,” he said.
But the video posted by Chivayo let the cat out of the bag.
To add to the complex puzzle of coaches’ movements in PSL, Ndiraya’s departure from Scottland this week has alerted a number of clubs. Ndiraya, who became the first coach to win two league titles in a row with different clubs, is being linked with a return to Ngezi and Hardrock.
Although Ngezi have been mum on the future, particularly that of coach Chiragwi, indications were that they have conceded to failing to hold onto the young mentor who has been on the radar of CAPS United since June when they elevated Lloyd Chitembwe into a technical director’s role.
“Ngezi did not want to destabilise their ship mid-season when CAPS United had already agreed terms with the coach.
“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 re-strategise and make a decision,” said a source close to Ngezi.
“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.”
Connected to those developments are CAPS United, who released Ian Bakala and his technical team in the past days.
“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, so to speak, from the official announcement,” chief executive Morton Dodzo said. They will announce their man today.
Meanwhile, FC Platinum, who announced the separation with Mapeza by mutual consent, is a club known for planning way in advance.
Although they have not announced anything in terms of Mapeza’s replacement, Joel Luphahla is the favourite to take over at the former champions.
Zimpapers Sports Hub is aware Simba Bhora are already aware the coach will be moving on and they are also looking for a replacement.
Apart from Luphahla, another coach that is said to have been considered by FC Platinum at one point is Kaindu, but the Dynamos coach will stay blue, unless Hardrock manage to do a smash-and-grab job on a fresh DeMbare deal.
“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 negotiations.
“After Chibuku Super Cup, his next step will be known and it also depends on Dynamos’ next executive, expected to be announced soon,” sources said.
