Love them or loathe them, newly promoted Premiership side Scottland have made a strong impression just two games into the 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.
While it may still be early to predict their title chances, the Mabvuku-based team has injected much-needed excitement into Zimbabwean football. Their matches have drawn large crowds, including Sunday’s 2-0 victory over giants CAPS United at Rufaro Stadium.
The Green Machine confirmed that 11,000 fans attended the match despite ticket prices increasing from US$3 to US$5 for general admission and US$20 for VVIP seats.
With high-profile players such as Khama Billiat, Walter Musona, Peter Muduhwa, Tymon Machope, and Lynoth Chikuhwa in their squad, Scottland are shaping up as a formidable force. Their presence is already sparking new rivalries and adding intensity to the league.
Scottland’s investment in players and pre-season preparations signals their intent to challenge for the title in their maiden campaign. Head coach Tonderai Ndiraya, who joined from reigning champions Simba Bhora, is well aware of the expectations.
“The investment in this team is massive, and the best way to repay the directors is by delivering good results. So, I’m happy for everyone at the club,” Ndiraya said after the win over CAPS United.
He noted that his team showed significant improvement from their opening game against Triangle, where they labored to a 1-0 win.
“They faced a lot of criticism after that performance, but they responded well under pressure and produced a great display,” he added.
Scottland’s rise has not been well received by fans of Harare’s traditional powerhouses, Dynamos and CAPS United. The club lured away key players from these teams during the off-season, leading to resentment from rival supporters.
Machope and Namibian forward Sadney Urikhob were the heroes against CAPS United, scoring in a match that Scottland could have won by a larger margin had they been more clinical in front of goal. Makepekepe’s goalkeeper, Harmony Nare, made several crucial saves to keep the scoreline respectable.
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“I think we dominated the game in both halves. We created many chances and converted some of them. CAPS United had very few opportunities,” Ndiraya noted.
With a star-studded squad, Ndiraya faces the challenge of managing player selection. He has opted for squad rotation to keep his team fresh.
“If you have top players, each one understands their role. They know they won’t all play at the same time, so the best approach is to rotate and give everyone a chance,” he explained.
Scottland now faces another tough challenge on Friday when they host former champions Ngezi Platinum Stars at Rufaro. Their strong start suggests they are ready to compete at the highest level.
