Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
SCOTTLAND president Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya delivered a sermon on Thursday night, revealing what he believes is the secret behind money, before dangling more incentives for Zimbabwe’s champions ahead of their maiden CAF Champions League dance.
Mabviravira make their debut in Africa’s premier club competition today when they host Eswatini champions Nsingizini Hotspurs at the National Sports Stadium.
And there is plenty of money riding on the occasion.
Sakupwanya has promised his players US$20 000 for every goal they score, while goalkeeper Nelson Chadya will pocket US$50 000 if he keeps a clean sheet.
Flamboyant businessman and Scottland benefactor Wicknell Chivayo has also dangled a US$50 000 incentive.
Sakupwanya has already released US$100 000 to the players following Wednesday’s goalless Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) draw against FC Platinum at Rufaro.
Then came the sermon.
“There’s a secret about money. If you give, you receive,” said Sakupwanya. “If you remain stingy, mucharamba muri ikoko. It’s about giving. You must give.
“I don’t know how many cars I have given, I don’t know how many houses I have given, I don’t know how many thousands I have given.
“If you want to prosper, you must give. Find someone whom you respect and give him something.
“Look at Sir Wicknell (Chivayo) today. That guy is a giver; that’s why he is a receiver. He is known everywhere in Africa and across the world.”
But today is about more than the money.
Scottland are stepping onto the CAF Champions League stage for the first time, barely three years after their formation.
The Mabvuku side made history when they won the 2025 PSL title in their debut season, shattering a 41-year record set by Black Rhinos in 1984.
Their rapid rise has also attracted criticism, something Sakupwanya believes comes with having big ambitions.
“People are there to criticise when it comes to football,” he said. “Did you notice that when we came into the PSL we had more enemies? But that’s because we have something big.
“If you don’t have something big, nobody hates you. If you are loved by everyone, there’s something wrong with you, you are going nowhere.
“Scottland is a big club and next year we have big plans. Last year we had 30 000 replica jerseys sold out, this year 25 000 sold out. It tells you something about the popularity of the club.”
And his plans go beyond the senior team.
“We have got a long journey with Scottland,” said Sakupwanya. “I was talking to my coach, Norman Mapeza, and I was saying we want to develop from the juniors so that people know the culture of the club.
“When we were growing up, junior players would fight to earn the right to be promoted to the seniors. Football has big monies. Ask (Khama) Billiat and (Knowledge) Musona, ask (Tymon) Machope, mari yebhora inonaka, for only 90 minutes you get a lot of money. “Next year we have a very big sponsor. Those sponsors have already bought us a bus, we have another new bus already.”
Before those bigger plans, there is Nsingizini.
The Eswatini champions arrived in Harare on Friday and had a feel of the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
Although founded in 1984, Nsingizini spent years playing community football before earning promotion to the elite league in 2022.
They finished third in 2024 before winning back-to-back league titles.
Scottland left-back Kwakhe Twala will come up against his former club today.
“They are a very good team, but I want to show them Scottland are also a big team,” said Twala.
Scottland team manager and former Warriors captain Peter Ndlovu has been reminding the players of the responsibility that comes with wearing the club badge.
“We will do our best to make sure the badge is respected,” said Ndlovu, a former Mamelodi Sundowns team manager.
Mapeza, who has previously reached the CAF Champions League group stage with FC Platinum, has urged the nation to rally behind the Zimbabwean champions.
“This is no longer about Scottland, but the Zimbabwean flag,” he said. “We have a big game ahead of us and we need to lift the Zimbabwean flag high.
“It’s a game of football, but I am promising everybody a positive result. We know it’s not going to be easy, but my promise is we are going to deliver.”
Mapeza can also call on players with Champions League experience.
Billiat won the CAF Champions League with Mamelodi Sundowns in 2016 and reached another final with Kaizer Chiefs in 2021, while Musona brings vast international experience.
Emmanuel Jalai, Moses Shidolo, Mtokhozisi Msebe and Walter Musona are also among the players Mapeza can turn to as Mabviravira step onto the continental stage for the first time.
A maximum of 15 000 supporters will be allowed into the National Sports Stadium as part of CAF’s testing process following the recent homologation of the giant facility.
Today’s match will be the first international fixture staged at the National Sports Stadium since November 2021.
Kick-off is at 3pm.
