Cloud Fusire
SENIOR SPORTS WRITER
ZIMBABWE’s representatives in the 2026/27 Caf Champions League, Scottland, are in line for a massive cash windfall if they excel in their Caf Champions League preliminary round tie against Eswatini champions Nsingizini Hotspurs tomorrow.
The reigning Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions are also set for massive financial rewards if they manage to retain their top flight crown, with club benefactor, Wicknell Chivayo pledging US$500 000 for the premiership title alone.
For today’s match, Chivayo promised $50 000 for the players, with the same amount also set to be availed to the team for each Caf Champions League win.
Club president Pedzai ‘‘Scott’’ Sakupwanya also pledged US$20 000 for each goal scored against Nsingizini Hotspurs tomorrow. However, the goal bonus will only count if the match ends in a win for Mabviravira.
This all comes following the club’s dinner which was held in the capital on Thursday night ahead of today’s Caf Champions League debut for the Mabvuku-based side.
At the function, Mabviravira players were also handed a surprise US$100 000 gift by Sakupwanya, who said the incentive was reward for the team’s impressive showing in the midweek league game against FC Platinum which ended in a goalless draw.
“I want to thank you Scottland players. Even though it was a draw yesterday (Wednesday), I was impressed. You played well and for that reason, I am giving you US$100 000,” said Sakupwanya, whose side are currently top of the PSL log table, four points clear of second-placed Hardrock.
The Scottland boss also undertook to purchase a house worth US$500 000 for first choice goalkeeper Nelson Chadya if the goalminder breaks the PSL’s clean-sheet record.
Incidentally, Chadya had registered 20 clean sheets so far — a joint PSL record he currently shared with Bernard Donovan who set the mark in the 2024 season with Chicken Inn.
Sakupwanya was quick to emphasise that the pledges made would be fulfilled, noting that incentivising players was one way of not only ensuring that Scottland soar in the African safari, but was also a way to ensure Zimbabwe does not continue to lose its best talents to other leagues.
“These are not empty promises.
“We want Scottland to fly the Zimbabwe flag high in Africa and to dominate at home. But the bigger picture is that we do not want our local talent to go out there in search of better paying leagues when we have the capacity to improve our own,” said Sakupwanya.
“Other sport codes have either been to the World Cup or they have qualified to go there, but as football we still haven’t and we wonder where we are getting it wrong.
“Perhaps it is because we seem to be exporting more than retaining our talent and we now need to change that because we can afford to.
“Look at the sponsorship that we now have in the top flight, it is something to build from going forward.”