Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda-Zimpapers Sports Hub
LESS than 20 foreign players were registered for the 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League but that number has skyrocketed following the continuous influx of expatriates ahead of the upcoming season.
In the past the PSL allowed clubs to register a maximum of five foreign players but the top-flight body’s chiefs have resolved to increase the quota to eight, after some clubs requested an amendment. Zimpapers Sports Hub has gathered that governors from giants Dynamos, FC Platinum and Chicken Inn were at the forefront, pushing for an increase in the foreign quota, before the PSL’s Emergency Committee passed the new resolution to allow eight foreign players per club on February 11.
While Dynamos have signed a couple of foreign players, including Isaac Landu (DR Congo) and Stanley Billiat of Malawi, Chicken Inn are set to unveil several foreign players in Bulawayo at a special ceremony set for Monday night.
Four-time champions FC Platinum have also roped in a number of foreign players, including Namibian Mbakodja Tjahikika, Ghanaian Emmanuel Dogbey, Malawian defender Maxwell Paipi and Cameroonian goalkeeper Manfred Ekoi.
As the PSL continue with the registration of players, it is clear the league will have more foreign players in the 2026 season with champions Scottland, 2024 kings Simba Bhora and rebuilding CAPS United who have four, — Ugandan Stephen Odai Kwaku, Zambian Chinga Chitoshi and the Malawian pair of Lloyd Njaliwa and Chawanangwa Kaongaal, looking beyond the country’s borders for talent.
According to the PSL, 16 foreign players were registered with the league last term.
The increase in numbers has forced the PSL to revise their statutes.
A memorandum gleaned by this publication proves that Dynamos, FC Platinum and Chicken Inn led the way in requesting for the review of the foreign quota system with the matter then being tabled at the PSL’s annual meeting.
In their request Dynamos sought to have teams being allowed to field all eight foreigners at once.
Although implementation of the changes would have ordinarily been done at the PSL AGM, the deadline for foreign player registration is March 1, which comes a week before that meeting, forcing the league to expedite the move.
“Whereas the PSL Congress is scheduled for 7 March 2026 and the deadline for foreign player registration is 01 March 2026 therefore rendering the matter as urgent and requiring immediate consideration by the Emergency Committee on behalf of Congress at a duly constituted meeting convened on 08 February 2026 to ensure regulatory compliance and adequate planning ahead of the 2026 season,” read part the PSL Memo.
Following the resolution, the PSL secretariat, through the chief executive officer Rodwell Thabe, was fully authorised and directed to immediately amend Order 4.3 of the PSL Rules and Regulations to permit clubs to register a maximum of eight foreign players per season, “even if previously registered foreigners are de-registered during the course of the season.”
“The CEO is further authorised to take all necessary administrative steps to implement this resolution with immediate effect, including amending the necessary provisions of Order 4.3 of the PSL Rules and Regulations in alignment with this resolution and notifying and distributing the amendments to all members of the PSL Congress.”
It was also the club’s contention that allowing more foreigners will enhance the competitiveness of the league. “I am sure this is a testament and proves that our local league has a global appeal.
