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Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Title Race Stays Tight as Simba Bhora and Scottland FC Share Spoils in Shamva

In a match billed as a potential title decider, Simba Bhora and Scottland FC played out a tense goalless draw at a packed Wadzanayi Stadium in Shamva. With the top two sides battling for supremacy in Matchday 28, the atmosphere was electric, but neither team could find the breakthrough.

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SHAMVA – In a match billed as a potential title decider, Simba Bhora and Scottland FC played out a tense goalless draw at a packed Wadzanayi Stadium in Shamva. With the top two sides battling for supremacy in Matchday 28, the atmosphere was electric, but neither team could find the breakthrough.

The match kicked off with Simba Bhora showing early intent. By the 7th minute, Khama had a golden opportunity with only the keeper to beat but failed to convert. Junior Makunike dominated the midfield, putting on a performance that seemed tailor-made to impress Warriors coach Michael Nees, who was watching from the VIP stand. Knowledge Musona also tested Scottland’s defense with a series of tricky free kicks, but the scoreboard remained untouched.

Despite poor network connectivity which made it difficult to provide match updates on the go at the venue reportedly due to ZESA powered boosters affected by load shedding, the action on the pitch began to heat up. In the 37th minute, Scottland’s Machope nearly broke the deadlock with a header that struck the underside of the crossbar. Controversially, the referee ruled it had not crossed the line, a moment that will surely needs to be revisited.

Just before halftime, a slick one-two between Makunike and Donald Mudadi nearly resulted in a goal for Simba Bhora. The teams went into the break locked at 0-0.

Simba Bhora returned from the interval with renewed energy. In the 55th minute, Ishe Mauchi missed a sitter from a Mudadi cross, as the home side continued to press. Junior Makunike, after a standout performance, was substituted to warm applause.

Scottland FC responded by tightening their defensive setup. Coach Ndiraya made a key substitution in the 72nd minute, bringing on Pfumbidzai for Machope, while Chiweta already on the touchline was surprisingly called back to the bench.

As the clock ticked down, Simba Bhora pushed for a winner, but Scottland’s defense held firm. The final whistle confirmed a 0-0 draw, leaving both teams to settle for a point in a match that could have swung either way.

With the title race still wide open, Simba Bhora and Scottland FC will need to regroup and refocus as the season nears its climax.

Matchday 28 Results Round-Up

FixtureResult
Telone vs MWOS0-1 MWOS
Chicken Inn vs Kwekwe Utd2-0 Chicken Inn
Manica Diamonds vs Greenfuel2-1 Manica Diamonds
Simba Bhora vs Scottland FC0-0 Draw
Herentals vs Caps United0-0 Draw
ZPC Kariba vs Ngezi Platinum0-2 Ngezi Platinum
FC Platinum vs Highlanders1-0 FC Platinum
Yadah vs Bikita Minerals0-1 Bikita Minerals

Football

ZIFA President Magwizi Reacts to Warriors’ Poor Performances with Major Technical Adjustments

ZIFA President Nqobile Magwizi has broken his silence following Zimbabwe’s disappointing exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, expressing deep dissatisfaction with the Warriors’ recent performances and announcing sweeping changes to the team’s technical setup.

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ZIFA President Nqobile Magwizi has broken his silence following Zimbabwe’s disappointing exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, expressing deep dissatisfaction with the Warriors’ recent performances and announcing sweeping changes to the team’s technical setup.

In a candid address, Magwizi did not mince words about the national team’s failure to meet expectations. Zimbabwe suffered back-to-back 1–0 defeats to Rwanda and Benin, results that sealed their fate in Group C and ended their World Cup hopes. Earlier in the year, the Warriors had shown promise with a 1–1 draw against Nigeria and a 2–2 stalemate with Benin, but inconsistency and lack of finishing power ultimately proved costly.

“Recent results have not met the expectations of our nation, and we share in the pain and frustration of millions of Zimbabweans,” Magwizi told journalists, officials, and supporters. “Football in our country is more than a sport—it is a bond that unites us and a symbol of who we are.”

Rather than deflect blame, Magwizi took responsibility and pledged immediate action. He acknowledged that the Warriors’ performances had fallen short and that the time for cosmetic fixes was over. In response, he unveiled a bold restructuring of the technical team, aimed at restoring pride and competitiveness.

The most significant announcement was the appointment of former Warriors captain Kaitano Tembo as assistant coach to Michael Nees. Tembo, a respected figure in Zimbabwean football, brings a wealth of experience from his playing days at Dynamos and the national team, as well as a successful coaching career in South Africa with Supersport United and Sekhukhune United.

Tembo’s return was met with widespread approval, seen as a move that could inject discipline, tactical acumen, and leadership into a squad that has struggled for consistency.

Joining Tembo is Sharif Mussa, a revered football administrator with decades of experience in team management and technical coordination. Mussa takes on the role of team manager, tasked with professionalizing the Warriors’ operations and ensuring that logistical and structural support is aligned with high-performance standards.

Together, Tembo and Mussa represent a strategic blend of technical expertise and institutional memory—an effort to stabilize the team and prepare for the upcoming AFCON qualifiers.

Magwizi emphasized that these appointments were just the beginning. He acknowledged the urgency of the moment and pledged further steps to strengthen the Warriors, both on and off the pitch. His message to fans was clear: the administration hears their frustrations and is committed to turning things around.

“To our fans, we say: your passion is not taken for granted. We hear you. We respect you. We ask you to stand with us and with the Warriors. Division will not take us forward—unity, patience, and collective effort will,” Magwizi said.

He also highlighted progress in other areas, including youth development, refereeing standards, and international partnerships. Zimbabwe’s successful use of VAR in a U17 tournament and the certification of ten elite referees were cited as signs of growing credibility. The possibility of hosting another CAF tournament before year-end was presented as further evidence of restored trust in ZIFA’s leadership.

Magwizi closed his address with a defiant promise: “Zimbabwean football has risen before, and it will rise again. With unity, discipline, and belief, we shall restore the pride of our game.”

The challenge now lies in translating these bold moves into results on the pitch. For Zimbabwean fans, the hunger is not for speeches but for victories—moments that rekindle national pride and prove that the Warriors can once again be a force on the continental stage.

As the nation watches and waits, the spotlight turns to Tembo, Mussa, and Nees. The road to redemption begins now.

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Football

Billiat, Dube Return as Nees Names Warriors Squad for World Cup Qualifiers

Zimbabwe’s senior national football team coach, Michael Nees, has announced a 23-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Group C fixtures against South Africa and Lesotho, set to take place in October. The announcement, made on Tuesday, has seen the return of Khama Billiat and Prince Dube.

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Zimbabwe’s senior national football team coach, Michael Nees, has announced a 23-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Group C fixtures against South Africa and Lesotho, set to take place in October. The announcement, made on Tuesday, has seen the return of Khama Billiat and Prince Dube.

The Warriors will travel to South Africa to face Bafana Bafana at the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on 10 October. Three days later, they will conclude their qualifying campaign against Lesotho at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

The inclusion of Billiat and Dube could fire up the team’s attacking force. Billiat, once the poster boy of the Warriors and a standout performer in the South African Premier Soccer League, returns to the national setup after a lengthy absence due to injury. His creativity, experience, and flair are expected to inject much-needed dynamism into the midfield.

Prince Dube, who has been in fine form for his Tanzanian club, Young Africans, also makes a comeback after missing previous fixtures due to fitness concerns. Known for his pace and clinical finishing, Dube’s presence adds depth to Zimbabwe’s attacking options.

Coach Nees expressed confidence in the squad’s balance.

With the Warriors eliminated from the World Cup qualifiers last month, the two matches will serve as preparation for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. With the Warriors eliminated from the World Cup qualifiers last month, the two matches will serve as preparation for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Goalkeepers
Washington Arubi, Elvis Chipezeze, Martin Mapisa

Defenders
Teenage Hadebe, Jordan Zemura, Brendan Galloway, Munashe Garan’anga, Emmanuel Jalai, Divine Lunga, Godknows Murwira.

Midfielders
Marvelous Nakamba, Marshall Munetsi, Jonah Fabisch, Khama Billiat, Knowledge Musona, Tawanda Chirewa, Bill Antonio.

Strikers
Tawanda Maswanhise, Walter Musona, Thando Ngwenya, Prince Dube.

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Football

Arsenal Clinches 2-1 Victory Over Newcastle with Late Gabriel Header Amid VAR Rulings

Arsenal staged a comeback at St. James’ Park on September 28, 2025, defeating Newcastle United 2-1 after trailing from Nick Woltemade’s 35th-minute header.

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Arsenal staged a dramatic comeback at St. James’ Park on September 28, 2025, defeating Newcastle United 2-1 after trailing from Nick Woltemade’s 35th-minute header.

Mikel Merino equalized in the 84th minute, and Gabriel Magalhaes scored the winner in the 96th from a corner. VAR overturned an early Arsenal penalty and denied Newcastle a late spot-kick.

The win elevates Arsenal to second in the Premier League with 13 points from six matches.

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