Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
STAKEHOLDERS have hailed the new brooms at the Premier Soccer League after they released the full fixture for next season three months prior to kick-off for the first time ever.
The 2026 league programme was made available yesterday with clubs getting to know who they will face and when for the entire year.
It’s something that hasn’t been done before with fixtures only made available a week or so before action erupts.
But the energetic Rodwell Thabe, installed as the substantive chief executive officer for PSL only two months ago has changed the face of it all. Thabe replaced Kenny Ndebele who is now the ZIFA vice-president.
“We know that should be standard practice. Look, it’s something that we have always discussed in the past and I would like to salute Kenny Ndebele for teaching all of us in the PSL secretariat the standard practice.
“It’s something we intended to do this year and I salute Ndebele for that. So, we realised that it was prudent for the fixture to be released now rather than later so that clubs know how to prepare for the season with full information on their fingertips.
“We have prepared the entire calendar that accommodates the Chibuku Super Cup and other events including the 2026 Soccer Stars Selection and banquet dates.”
Stakeholders, including the Sports Leaders Association of Zimbabwe president Russel Mhiribidi hailed the PSL for keeping up with international best practices.
“This is quite impressive for PSL. This is what international leagues do. There is no harm in publishing the fixtures well before kick-off.
“Instead, that’s a sign of professionalism and it helps clubs prepare from an informed point of view,” said Mhiribidi.
“Kudos to Rodwell Thabe and his team. This is quite commendable and a plus to the league.”
The opening day programme features enticing fixtures including the battle of the moneybags between newly-promoted Kwekwe side Hardrock and league champions Scottland.
The match-up will see the newly-built Chahwanda Stadium hosting a Premiership match for the very first time.
But the first eight games will particularly be decisive for Dynamos who struggled to breathe in the 2025 season when they survived relegation on the final day of the term.
The Glamour Boys will first visit TelOne, a team that has declared themselves ready to fight for the championship following a strong fifth-place finish in 2025.
Dynamos then host Highlanders on Match Day 2 before they travel to Bulawayo side Bulawayo Chiefs. They will hit the road again against Agama, then they will be at home to MWOS next before they travel to Shamva for a date against Simba Bhora.
FC Platinum will be next in line before champions Scottland host DeMbare.
