Online Reporter
Sports Reporter
ALL the three Scottland football franchises – the flagship team in the Castle Lager Premiership, N’ombeyawora in Division One and Scottland Academy in Division Two – are all set to be champions.
Tonderai Ndiraya’s men have spent the week celebrating winning the top-flight league title, in their debut season, after they established an unassailable lead at the top of the standings.
Their emphatic 5-1 win over relegated Kwekwe United at Ascot on Sunday gave them a seven-point lead, with just six points still on offer, and helped them match the success story that was written by Black Rhinos in ’84.
The star-studded Chipembere powered to the league title, in their debut season in the top-flight lead, and ended Dynamos’ dominance in which the Glamour Boys had won four titles on the bounce.
But, while all the focus has been on Scottland and their adventure in the PSL, the club’s sister teams have also been enjoying success in their respective league.
Right now, all the three Scottland football franchises sit at the top of their league tables and, unless something dramatic happens in the next few weeks, they could all be crowned champions.
N’ombeyawora, who are coached by Nesbert “Yabo” Saruchera, and were only established at the beginning of the year, are just a win away from winning the Northern Region Division One league championship.
The Hunters lead Agama, who have fought long and hard all season, by a point, with just one game to play in the championship race.
If they win on Sunday, it will mean that the last two league championships in the Northern Region Division One league would have been won by clubs from the Scottland stable – both of them within 12 months of being formed.
Last year, the flagship Scottland team fought a battle royale against MWOS for the Division One championship.
And, the football gods have somehow come up with a script where N’ombeyawora will have to beat MWOS Under-19 at Ngoni for them to be champions.
If N’ombeyawora slip, Agama will pounce.
The Mashonaland Central side have had a dream season and find themselves within just a point of the leaders with just one game to go.
They are under the guidance of coach Paul “Popopo” Chimalizeni, who is regarded as a specialist in Division One football.
Popopo’s men have to beat FC Oden and hope that N’ombeyawora falter at the last hurdle for them to earn a ticket into the Premiership.
There is confidence in their ranks and pictures have emerged on social media already printed and celebrating the club’s success as the league’s champions this season.
FC Oden are under the guidance of another veteran of Division One football – Arthur “Toots” Tutani, who started the campaign at Agama before the two parties ended their relationship.
Scottland Academy are leading the Division Two championship race with three games to go.
They are under the guidance of William Nyasulu, who is also the assistant coach at the flagship side, which plays in the Premiership.
Nyasulu’s men are unbeaten all season and have 87 points from their 35 games.
They have won 26 and have drawn the other nine games.
If they avoid defeat in their final game of the season on Sunday, they will be crowned champions.
They will also earn the right to call themselves Invincibles as they would have completed the season unbeaten.
However, their biggest rivals, CP Chemicals, are within touching distance as they are just three points adrift after losing just one of their 35 league matches.
With nine points still to play for, anything is possible.
