Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda, Zimpapers Sports Hub
FORMER Zimbabwe national team star has backed reigning Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions Scottland to make a strong impression in their maiden Caf Champions League campaign.
Scottland’s African adventure begins today when the Preliminary Round draw for the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League is conducted at Caf headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.
The draw will be broadcast live on Caf TV at 1 PM.
A former Orlando Pirates defender, Dinha believes the Zimbabwe champions have the quality to compete against some of the continent’s best clubs.
“In Scottland I see a team that is capable of building a strong squad that can compete in Africa,” Dinha told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
Scottland will discover their first round opponents as they begin their quest to reach the group stages of Africa’s premier club competition.
Under the competition regulations, the preliminary draw uses seeded pots and geographical pairing to reduce early travel demands.
As a result, the Zimbabwean champions are expected to face opponents from the Southern African region or just beyond.
Potential opponents include Gaborone United (Botswana), Power Dynamos (Zambia), UD Songo (Mozambique), Nsingizini Hotspurs (Eswatini), Aiglons FC (Comoros), Lijabatho (Lesotho), Mighty Wanderers (Malawi) and Foresters (Seychelles).
Scottland qualified for the continental competition after winning the 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title in their debut top-flight season.
They are already guaranteed US$100 000 in prize money, even if they are eliminated in the preliminary round.
Dinha, who made his name with Darryn T and CAPS United before moving to South Africa in the late 1990s, believes Scottland have the potential to progress beyond the opening stages.
The former defender, who is now based in South Africa where he runs Shumba Academy, continues to follow developments in Zimbabwean football.
“There is massive change in our football back in Zimbabwe,” he said.
“I can see a stronger Zimbabwean league attracting players from across the globe, paying better salaries and developing a good structure,” he said.
Dinha watched Scottland’s Toyota Cup clash against Kaizer Chiefs at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Phokeng, South Africa, on July 26.
Although Scottland lost 1-0, Dinha was impressed by what he saw and believes the club has what it takes to raise Zimbabwe’s profile on the continental stage.
Scottland are among a new generation of ambitious clubs transforming Zimbabwean football.
MWOS, Hardrock and Simba Bhora have also established themselves as competitive forces in the Premier Soccer League.
Dinha left Zimbabwe nearly three decades ago to pursue a professional career in South Africa.
After two seasons with CAPS United between 1996 and 1998, he joined Ajax Cape Town before later moving to Soweto giants Orlando Pirates.
He retired from professional football in 2008, two years after representing Zimbabwe at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt.
Dinha’s optimism was echoed by Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz, who praised Norman Mapeza’s side following the Toyota Cup encounter.
“Depending on the fixtures they get, I think they can go far. They are good tactically and physically,” said the Frenchman.
Scottland fielded several fringe players during the first half, when they conceded the only goal of the match.
After the break, Mapeza introduced experienced campaigners Knowledge Musona, Khama Billiat, Kwake Twala, Emmanuel Jalai, Walter Musona, Moses Shidolo, Kevin Moyo, Peter Muduhwa, Mtokhozisi Msebe and goalkeeper Nelson Chadya.
The changes had an immediate impact as Scottland dominated much of the second half against the South African giants.
Mapeza described the match as ideal preparation for the Caf Champions League campaign, which begins during the weekend of September 4-6.
This season marks the 31st edition of the competition under the Caf Champions League banner.
Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns lifted the 2026 title after defeating Morocco’s AS FAR 2-1 on aggregate in the final.
The winners of this year’s TotalEnergies Caf Champions League will receive US$6 million in prize money.
