Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. Kwekwe United…….. (0)1
Scottland FC………. (2)5
IN a performance of ruthless efficiency and breathtaking flair, Scottland FC made history to clinch the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title in their debut top-flight season, routing Kwekwe United with a scintillating 5-1 victory at Ascot Stadium.
The final whistle was immediately followed by a torrential downpour — a coronation that felt like a shower of blessings from the football gods upon the ecstatic “Mabvivira” fans.
Scottland FC has now etched its name into the annals of Zimbabwean football, becoming only the second club in the history of the modern Premier League to win the championship in its maiden season, a feat last achieved by the legendary Black Rhinos class of 1984.
With two matches to spare, yesterday’s victory lifted Scottland to an unassailable 65 points, securing the title, seven points ahead of second-placed MWOS.
The man orchestrating this extraordinary success is coach Tonderai Ndiraya, who now adds another golden chapter to his coaching career.
Ndiraya has achieved the unthinkable — guiding two clubs to maiden league titles in consecutive seasons, having lifted the championship with Simba Bhora in their second season last year.
His strategic acumen has been the cornerstone of Scottland’s triumphant season.
Speaking after the match, an emotional Ndiraya was quick to underscore his team’s unique achievement and hit back at critics.
“I think we are the first team since Black Rhinos in 1984, but the difference between us and Black Rhinos is that they were assembled in Division One, won the title there, and then won the title in their first season in the PSL,” Ndiraya said.
“We assembled our team this year and won the title. So [we were] champions in Division One, then assembled a new, strong team for the Premier League, and here we are. This is history.”
He then addressed the early-season doubters.
“I think there was a lot of negativity around the recruitment policy back then, but I’m happy that in the end, we have the last laugh. So, I want to thank our fans for sticking with us, even when things were not good. We have brought a trophy, a huge
trophy for that matter, for them.”
On his personal achievement, Ndiraya was reflective: “It’s not easy to change from one team to another, assemble a new team, and win the league. That record, that history, will be stuck in my heart for quite a long time.”
From the moment the match kicked off, the visitors, donning their championship stripes, were intent on claiming their destiny.
Scottland started on the ascendancy, and it took a spectacular, point-blank save from Kwekwe United goalkeeper Elton Nechiware to deny a Tymon Machope header.
Nechiware, in a valiant but ultimately futile effort, also acrobatically tipped a wicked free-kick from veteran star Knowledge Musona over the bar.
The pressure proved relentless. The deadlock was finally broken at the half-hour mark when the irrepressible Khama Billiat put Scottland one hand on the trophy. After a clever flick-on by Machope, Billiat demonstrated his world-class quality by delicately chipping the ball over the on-rushing Nechiware, sending the travelling fans into a frenzy.
Four minutes later, the Golden Boot contender Machope doubled the score. Receiving a brilliant through ball from midfield maestro Mthokozisi Msebe, Machope finished coolly for his 14th goal of the season.
Only Nechiware’s brilliance again, with a stunning stop to deny a Machope brace before the break, kept the scoreline manageable.
The second half began with an early scare for the hosts as Scottland substitute, Takudzwa Chimhowa, rattled the crossbar directly from a corner kick before the ball bounced out of play. Normal service — Scottland dominance and Nechiware heroics — soon resumed, with the Kwekwe shot-stopper denying Musona’s fierce rising shot from inside the box.
The hosts had a brief flicker of hope on 85 minutes when a snapshot from outside the box marked their first meaningful shot on target.
But the Scottland machine was unstoppable. Veteran defender Ronald Pfumbidzai made it three in the 70th minute with a well-taken goal, putting the result beyond doubt. Tadiwanashe Chakuchichi, a 16-year-old talent, put the icing on the cake, bagging the fourth goal — his first in the league — four minutes later from close range.
The teenager would go on to win a stoppage-time penalty, which Machope confidently dispatched to complete his brace.
Meanwhile, former champions Dynamos kept their survival hopes alive after beating Bikita Minerals 1-0 at Rufaro Stadium. Captain Emmanuel Jalai’s first-half penalty took DeMbare’s points tally to 37. The former giants are now 13th on the log, with two rounds of matches to play.
For More News And Analysis About Zimbabwe Follow Africa-Press
