NEW BOYS Scottland FC were crowned champions of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League on Saturday after beating TelOne 2‑1 at Ascot Stadium in Gweru.
The result was largely ceremonial, as Scottland had secured the title several weeks earlier and the match marked the final round of the campaign. Striker Tymon Machope opened the scoring with his 16th league goal, and teenager Tadiwa Chakuchichi netted the winner in the second half. A heavy downpour seemed to have signalled the gods of the land’s coronation acceptency as Scottland became the first club to lift the newly‑unveiled PSL trophy, presented on the pitch moments before kickoff.
First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, guest of honour handed the trophy to captains Walter Musona and Peter Muduhwa after the final whistle. Club chairman Tonderai Sakupwanya said the triumph completed a rise from Division One to the premiership in three seasons.
“We started in Division One, won that title, earned promotion and now we have lifted the premier league trophy. It is a historic feat only previously achieved by Black Rhinos in 1984,” he said.
Sakupwanya added that the club’s immediate focus is the CAF Champions League.
“The next step is the Champions League; we will still chase another league title, but representing Africa is now the main mission,” he told reporters.
Scottland finished the season with 69 points, scoring 47 goals and conceding 20, the joint best defensive record alongside FC Platinum. TelOne, whose Tawanda Macheke scored a consolation, ended fifth with 54 points. The club’s president Pedzai ‘Scott’ Sakupwanya reiterated that the championship was the result of a pre‑season plan that combined youth, experience and a top‑level coaching team.
