BY CLOUD FUSIRE
Senior Sports Writer
SCOTTLAND president, Scott Sakupwanya, maintains that his side has a lot to learn from the Castle Lager premiership big boys as it settles into the topflight league.
This comes as many football fans and pundits have made Scottland odds-on favourite to win the Castle Lager premiership title this season. Speaking to the Daily News On Sunday at the weekend, in the wake of Scottland’s defeat to Ngezi Platinum Stars at Rufaro Stadium on Friday, Sakupwanya said his team was still learning how “to box” in the topflight.
“We were learners in Division One last year as we tried to build a strong team. We settled very well and good results followed, resulting in our promotion.
“Our goal then was to learn how to navigate the terrain and make the title charge this year in 2025. Results came early and we got promoted into the PSL.
“So, this is the same philosophy that we are applying in the topflight. We are learning how to negotiate our way past established teams in the league – and it’s a long way to go. We are still learning from the big boys in the top division.
“Every week – whether we win, lose or draw – we will be learning as we settle in the premiership,” Sakupwanya told the Daily News On Sunday.
“We have a team that has a blend of experience and youth. Tonde is still working on finding the right balance.
“Once the team gels, you will see the competitiveness of this team. We have raised expectations with our results – particularly the win against CAPS United, but we are still in our very infancy,” Sakupwanya added.
Sakupwanya also said the team’s performances are so far ahead of expectations. “We are ahead of expectations. When we looked at the fixtures, when they were released, we didn’t expect to have collected six points at this early stage of the season.
“In terms of progress, we are happy with the direction we are going. Our goal is to have a higher finishing position at the end of the season. We have seen that with Simba Bhora.
“They learned the ropes in their first year in the topflight and then made an assault on the title in their second year. Today we speak of them as champions,” Sakupwanya further told The Daily News On Sunday. Mabviravira has six points from three matches.
“I am aware that the complexion of Scottland had raised a lot of expectations among fans and pundits, but we are taking it step by step as you know that a journey of a thousand miles starts with one step.
“Let’s see where we finish at the end of the season. So far, we are happy with the progress we are making,” Sakupwanya added. Without a doubt, Scottland has been the biggest highlight of the season so far.
Mabviravira has breathed life into the top tier of local football, just like it did last year in the Northern Region Soccer League. The ambitious side has brought colour, glamour and healthy rivalry to the premiership.