Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda, Zimpapers Sports Hub
A total of 16 foreign players were registered for the 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.
While most of them are from within the region, mainly Malawi and Zambia, it was interesting to see players from as far as Burundi coming down to play in local Premiership.
Some of the foreign players who had a decent season include Simba Bhora keeper William Thole who has registered 16 clean sheets for the Shamva side.
The Malawian is a favourite for the Goalkeeper of the Year award.
His countrymen Moses Shidolo and Kudha Muyaba both from champions Scottland are some of the prominent foreign players plying their trade in the local league.
CAPS United have four foreign players, including Zambian defender Chitoshi Chinga, who played for Chipolopolo in the Cosafa Championship and 34-year-old Congolese striker Chris Mugalu.
Emmanuel Joseph Mbollo from Cameroon is also part of the CAPS United squad.
Former champions FC Platinum have two more Malawians, Nickson Nyasulu and Precious Phiri, who play alongside Democratic Republic of Congo’s Guyve Mawete.
Harare giants Dynamos are home to star defender Issaka Mohamed of Ghana.
While the quality of some foreign players has been up for scrutiny, the Premier Soccer League are happy with the influx, because they feel it’s an endorsement of the league as a viable football destination.
Since its inception in 1993, the Premier Soccer League has attracted hundreds of foreign players, but only one star — Joseph Kamwendo of Malawi — has won the Soccer Star of the Year.
He claimed the top gong in 2005 while starring for CAPS United.
Some of the yesteryear foreign stars include the late Derby Makinka (Darryn T and Zambia), Sandras Kumwenda (Dynamos and Zambia), Charles Chilufya (Highlanders and Zambia), Ian Bakala (CAPS United and Malawi) and Christian Epoupa Ntouba (Dynamos and Cameroon).
Newly appointed Premier Soccer League chief executive officer, Rodwell Thabe, said the trend proved Zimbabwean clubs have an international appeal.
“I can confirm that the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League is currently attracting a number of foreign players that we have seen coming to ply their trade within our league.
“In 2025, we registered a total of 16 foreign players, most of them being from around the region. But more interestingly, we also have players that have come from Burundi, and as far as Ghana and the DR Congo,” said Thabe.
Yadah Stars linkman Francis Mustafa hails from Burundi.
“I am sure this is a testament and proves that our local league has a global appeal, and our clubs also have a global appeal.
“We are competitive, both on the field of play and financially, and my desire is to most importantly see us attracting quality foreign players instead of quantity.”
Scottland, who are powered by Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya’s deep pockets, are paying salaries that are at par or more than some clubs in the South African Premiership.
“My hope is to see these foreign players also earn their place in our annual Soccer Stars calendar. They must prove themselves, they must be exceptional talent,” said Thabe.
Few foreign players have made it onto the calendar in recent seasons.
DR Congo striker Eli Ilunga made it onto the calendar with Black Rhinos in the 2021/2022 season.
Cameroonian Epoupa also achieved the same with Dynamos in 2017.
“But I must also applaud our local players.
“They have come to the party and they have always given the foreign contingent a run for their money,” added Thabe.
“So I’m quite happy to see us accommodating these players. As a league, we are proving what His Excellency always says, that Zimbabwe is open for business because foreigners are able to see the quality and the reason to come and work in this country and we welcome them with open arms.”
This weekend, the PSL clubs play their last round of matches for the 2025 season, with major focus on the relegation fight.
