Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE adage “a new broom sweeps clean, but an old broom knows the corners” is set to be put to a real test in the next few months of the 2026 Castle Lager Premiership.
From champions Scottland to newcomers Hardrock, the off-season period has been dominated by seismic movements in the technical personnel, followed by the usual scramble for players, as clubs position themselves for honours.
The kick-off this year will have at least 11 of the 18 teams playing under new coaches in a big reshuffle that promises cutthroat competition.
Defending champions Scottland recently appointed a new coach Norman Mapeza following the surprise departure of title-winning coach Tonderai Ndiraya, who is now at Chicken Inn.
The struggling Big Three — Dynamos, CAPS United and Highlanders — have also roped in new personnel to lead their teams in response to a rather forgettable 2025 campaign, in which they fought relegation for most of the mara-thon.
Former champions FC Platinum, Simba Bhora, Chicken Inn, Ngezi Platinum Stars, Hunters and Triangle will also have new brooms.
Dynamos have re-engaged Genesis Mangombe while CAPS United turned to their former player Takesure Chiragwi to reignite the spark at the Green Machine.
Bosso are one of the two teams, together with Hardrock, that have roped in a foreign coach after appointing South African Thabo Senong.
The other foreign coach is Kelvin Kaindu, who dumped Dynamos for financially stable newboys Hardrock. Kaindu is keen on the ambitious football project in Kwekwe.
“From the look of things and the surroundings, it shows how much investment has been put into this project. I am glad to be the first coach to take the team in the Premier League,” he said.
“We will try and do our level best to come up with a team that will be able to excite our fans. We will be starting our season with almost everybody.
“Starting in the off-season where most people will be available, we will have ample time to interact and work with everybody. Probably one of the gifts that I have is the ability to unite people and be able to work with people available,” said Kaindu.
Four-time champions FC Platinum have entrusted Joel Luphahla to bring back the glory days, while Ngezi Platinum Stars elevated Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva to fill the vacancy left by the departure of their title-winning coach Chiragwi.
Simba Bhora have Mandla Mpofu. Triangle, who recently lost Mangombe to DeMbare and Hunters are yet to make appointments. Youthful coach Clifford Dzvairo, who helped Hunters romp to their maiden Premiership promotion, has since left for Ngezi Platinum Stars, where he will be one of Mutiwekuziva’s assistants.
But old brooms were maintained at MWOS, TelOne, Herentals, ZPC Kariba, Manica Diamonds, Agama and Bulawayo Chiefs.
MWOS rewarded Lloyd Mutasa with a new contract after the former midfielder led the side to a commendable second-place finish in their debut season.
TelOne also kept faith in Hebert Maruwa following a top five finish. Herentals stuck with Paul Benza whose seventh-place finish was decent, ahead of giants Dynamos, CAPS United and Highlanders.
ZPC Kariba are also set to continue with Newton Katehwe following a top eight finish in the 2025 season. Manica Diamonds barely survived relegation under interim coach Tafadzwa Mashiri, and the side has decided to appoint him on a permanent basis ahead of the new season. Newboys Agama have faith in Paul Chimalizeni who is not new to the top-flight game. Premiership returnees Bulawayo Chiefs have also announced they will continue under John Nyikadzino.
“We feel that Nyikadzino is the right man for our brand and principles for now,” said Chiefs Chief Executive Officer Thulani “Javas” Sibanda in a recent interview with Zimpapers Sports Hub.
TelOne coach Maruwa, who begins pre-season training with his team today, believes the situation at his team is good for continuity.
“I have seen the movements and in football it all depends on how things will pan out when the competition starts.
“For seasoned coaches and those that have proven track records, it is usually easy to settle into the new environment and produce results. Some take longer and others fail completely. But as for us, in terms of continuity, we are okay. We like it as it is,” said Maruwa.
In under two months, the Castle Lager Premiership season will kick-off with the traditional Castle Challenge Cup pitting reigning PSL champions Scottland against Chibuku Super Cup winners Dynamos.
