Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda-Zimpapers Sports Hub
REIGNING Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions Scottland will clash with Harare giants Dynamos in the Castle Challenge Cup at Rufaro on March 1 to set the tone for what could be an intriguing 2026 season.
The PSL initially had wanted to stage the season curtain-raiser showdown at the newly built Chahwanda on February 28, but it has emerged that the Kwekwe stadium venue will be occupied.
Zimpapers Sports Hub understands that Chahwanda is set for commissioning on the same day, forcing the PSL chiefs to shift the Challenge Cup to Rufaro in Mbare.
The Castle Challenge Cup pits the league champions and winners of the Chibuku Super Cup.
Scottland won the league title in their debut top-flight season, breaking a 41-year record set by Black Rhinos in 1984.
DeMbare beat Triangle United 1-0 at Gibbo on November 29 to clinch an unprecedented third Chibuku Super Cup title in a row.
“We had initially scheduled to start the season on the 28th of February, but we have moved the Castle Challenge Cup a day later to Sunday 1st of March.
“The reason for the change is that there have been developments around another footballing event on the 28th which we felt as the PSL we must give due recognition and space,” PSL chief executive officer Rodwell Thabe said.
PSL club chairpersons and members of the secretariat held an indaba that began on Friday and ended yesterday in preparation for the 2026 season.
Various issues, including digital transformation and club licensing, were discussed.
“Our clubs are always very important to us and we engage with them frequently,” Thabe said.
“This is an indaba, not an induction; it’s a platform to discuss the previous season, brainstorm and see how we can move forward.
“We discussed various issues, digital transformation of the clubs’ platforms, refereeing and the broader aspect of the entire 2026 season.”
Thabe revealed that his administration has been working closely with chairperson Sharif Mussa’s ZIFA First Instance Board (FIB), which certifies venues for PSL matches.
“The FIB has been going around the country inspecting the venues and they are very confident we will be able to kick off the league at the set dates,” he said.
“We are always here to learn, not to choke each other. It’s not a blame game.”
The 2026 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League will kick off on March 7.
Among those who attended the PSL indaba were leaders of newly promoted sides FC Hunters, Agama, Bulawayo Chiefs and Hardrock.
“The indaba was an eye-opener; we learnt a lot,” said Cuthbert Chitima, FC Hunters’ chairperson.
“We have been preparing for the upcoming season and we are sure we will be ready.”
Rufaro Stadium is structurally defective. It has been said by civil engineers for the longest time now. Are we waiting for a disaster to occur before we take heed? What is really wrong with the football gods of this country? Can’t the Minister of Sport give a directive to shut this facility down as a precautionary measure? How many times have warnings been issued to retire the facility? Why is the media also mum about this particular potential national disaster?