Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi, Zimpapers Sports Hub
PREMIERSHIP newcomers Scottland, Simba Bhora and MWOS are redefining the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title race, and, with four games to go, it’s the youthful trio setting the pace while the traditional giants fight for survival.
The 2025 campaign has turned into a three-horse sprint featuring clubs barely three years old in the topflight. Former champions Ngezi Platinum Stars still cling to faint hopes, but their eight-point gap makes a late surge a tall order for Takesure Chiragwi’s side.
Scottland seized control of the race before the Fifa break, shaking off a mini slump that saw them lose to Dynamos and draw with Simba Bhora at Wadzanayi. Before that stumble, they had stitched together seven straight wins, a run that underlined their growing credentials. Wins over Manica
Diamonds and Chicken Inn lifted them back to the top, three points clear, with a healthy +21 goal difference.
They face a huge test this weekend against title rivals MWOS. Victory would knock one challenger out of the race and tighten their grip on the crown. The rest of their run-in looks slightly easier, with a trip to already relegated Kwekwe United and a home clash against survival-fighting GreenFuel before closing away to the unpredictable TelOne.
Tonderai Ndiraya’s men lead with 59 points, followed by Simba Bhora on 56, MWOS on 55, and Ngezi Platinum Stars on 52.
“Scottland have been consistent of late and if they can maintain that form, I don’t see them bottling it. They have a strong squad with experience,” said football coach and analyst, Bhekimpilo Nyoni.
For defending champions Simba Bhora, every point now feels heavier. They’ve stumbled badly in their last four games, failing to win or even score. A month ago, they topped the table by a point, but a string of three draws and a shock defeat to relegation-threatened CAPS United has left them chasing the pack.
The Shamva side will hope to rediscover their spark when they visit Ngezi Platinum Stars this weekend, a fixture that could yet swing the race again.
MWOS, just four points off the lead, also have a tough stretch ahead; matches against Highlanders (home), Bikita Minerals (away) and Yadah still to come.
Ngezi Platinum Stars, meanwhile, are lurking with quiet ambition. Though eight points behind, their fixture list gives them reason to believe, they still face both Simba Bhora and MWOS. A perfect finish, coupled with slip ups from the top three, could yet rewrite the ending.
As the “Young Turks” eye glory, the old guard is fading fast. Dynamos, Highlanders and CAPS United, once the heartbeat of Zimbabwean football, now find themselves staring at the wrong end of the table.
Zimbabwe National Soccer Supporters president Joseph Mutawu said the rise of the new clubs reflects sound investment and modern management.
“These new teams have adopted professionalism in the way they run their clubs,” said Mutawu.
“They’ve put in proper structures and are operating as businesses. They’ve copied models from Europe and South Africa, and it’s paying off.
“Football today is built on science, research, technology, infrastructure, player development and marketing. These teams are heavily resourced and not afraid to invest, while the traditional giants are struggling because they failed to adapt,” he added.
2025 PSL Title Run-In
Scottland: MWOS (H), Kwekwe Utd (A), GreenFuel (H), TelOne (A)
Simba Bhora: Ngezi Platinum Stars (A), Highlanders (H), Bikita Minerals (A), Yadah (H)
MWOS: Scottland (A), Triangle (H), CAPS Utd (A), Ngezi Platinum Stars (H)
Ngezi Platinum Stars: Simba Bhora (H), Manica Diamonds (A), Chicken Inn (H), MWOS (A)
Scottland is an old people’s home. There is nothing young about that team. So spare us that nonsense Eddie. Simba Bhora has an average age of around 24-25 years and Scottland’s average age is upward of 34 years. Those guys should coaches and not players.