Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ONE would be forgiven for thinking Everson Chatambudza has been thrown into the deep end.
The respected Harare lawyer, who has also been in football administration since 2016, was the Yadah Stars chairman until the end of last season when they were relegated from the Premier Soccer League.
Chatambudza was, interestingly, immediately appointed boss at reigning Premier Soccer League champions Scottland, who will feature in their maiden CAF Champions League campaign later this month.
Scottland have also set their sights on a defence of their Premiership title, especially after roping in experienced coach Norman Mapeza — a four-time winner of the championship.
Warriors legend, Peter Ndlovu is also now the team manager, after being lured from South African powerhouses Mamelodi Sundowns.
“I come in at a time a lot is expected at Scottland.
“When you join a team that has just won the championship, obviously you are expected to maintain the momentum or go a notch higher, and in this case it means doing well in Africa,” Chatambudza said.
With Scottland set to kick-start their title defence against the top-flight’s latest moneybags and debutants Hardrock on March 7, the build-up to the new season is getting exciting as fans anticipate the mouthwatering clash.
A week prior, Scottland will have played Harare giants Dynamos in the Castle Challenge Cup at Rufaro.
The Challenge Cup pits the league champions against the winners of the Chibuku Super Cup.
Scottland spent three weeks in South Africa and also played Eswatini champions Nsingizini Hotspurs in an international friendly in that country, as part of their preparations for the upcoming season.
Although the Zimbabwe Kings lost that match 0-2, Chatambudza doesn’t believe that result should be used as a barometer to judge Scottland.
“From the reports I am getting from the technical team, the boys are doing well.
“Let’s not talk about the result against Nsingizini, it was part of preparations, and I can tell you preparations are going on well,” added Chatambudza.
He expects a riveting 2026 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League championship race.
He is also happy with how teams are transforming themselves in the digital era.
“We need to move with times. As clubs we need to attract more sponsors.
“When it comes to technology, at Scottland we are trying our best. I can’t say we are there, but we are trying.
“We are talking of a football club that was formed two years ago, but we are already topping the number of followers on platforms like Facebook.
“We are not exactly where we want to be but we are pulling in the right direction.
“A lot has happened at Scottland and we keep improving.
“The coming in of teams like MOWS has also changed the whole landscape. Look at what they have been doing on the market.”
Gone are the days of small teams in the PSL, reckons Chatambudza.
“Scottland and MOWS were first and second last season, but they both came from Division One.
“Our league has become more competitive because a lot has changed.”
Scottland have added a number of foreign players as they eye a good performance in the 2026/2027 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League. Kenyan Joshua Onyango, Kwake Thwala of Eswatini and Ghanaian centre back Mohammed Issaka are some of the new faces at Scottland.
Former Dynamos goalkeeper Prince Tafiremutsa and 2025 Soccer Star of the Year second runner-up Emmanuel Ziocha are also now at the Mabvuku outfit.
