Zimbabwe Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Matchday 15 Round-Up
By Advent Shoko
The Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title race took another twist on Sunday as Scottland FC moved to the second place on the table after a convincing 2-0 victory over CAPS United at the National Sports Stadium, while Highlanders collected maximum points following a hard-fought 2-1 win over FC Hunters at Barbourfields Stadium.
Herentals defeated FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium thanks to Dreamer Liyeto’s strike. 54-year-old Innocent Benza provided the pin-point assist.
The results significantly altered the top half of the standings, with CAPS United dropping from the leading pack to fourth place while Highlanders climbed to seventh position.
Scottland Strike A Blow In Title Race
Scottland produced one of their most important performances of the season to beat CAPS United 2-0 at the National Sports Stadium.
The victory lifted Mabviravira to 28 points from 16 matches, leaving them just behind Hardrock FC, who remain on 28 points but have a game in hand. Hardrock have a superior goal difference.
For CAPS United, the defeat was costly. Having entered the weekend among the frontrunners, Makepekepe remained on 28 points and slipped to fourth place behind Scottland, Hardrock FC and Herentals. The Green Machine were without head coach Takesure Chiragwi who travelled to London with the Warriors Squad for the Unity Cup whrre scooped bronze medal after beating India in third place play offs.
The match between CAPS United and reigning champions Scottland also marked a successful return of league football to the National Sports Stadium, which had spent months without hosting matches as it was being renovated in a bid to meet international standards.
Despite the loss, CAPS United supporters remained vocal throughout and after the match, backing their team until the final whistle. Some sections of the fans, however, refused to shed any tears claiming match fixing. They were adamant their side is strong enough to beat Scottland and any result other than a win was dubious.
Highlanders Overcome Fighting Hunters
Even without Kudakwashe Mahachi and Darlington Mukuli (suspension), and Mongameli ‘President’ Tshuma (who travelled to London with the Warriors), Highlanders secured maximum points with a 2-1 victory over FC Hunters at Barbourfields Stadium.
Bosso took control early and created several opportunities through Benjamin Adeogun and Rainsome Pavari.
Adeogun tested the FC Hunters goalkeeper in the ninth minute with a long-range effort, while Pavari continued to trouble the visitors with his movement and ability to retain possession.
A brief injury scare arrived in the 21st minute when Adeogun went down and required medical attention. He was able to continue moments later and returned to the field.
Highlanders carried their one-goal advantage into the break after creating better opportunities, with Royn Nyamano and Nomore Chinyerere both trying their luck before halftime.
After the restart, Pavari again threatened the Hunters goal before coach Benjani Mwaruwari refreshed the side with substitutions. Prince Ndlovu and Brighton Ncube entered the match just after the interval, adding fresh energy to the attack.
The hosts later doubled their advantage to make it 2-0 before another setback struck when Adeogun, who had earlier received treatment, was eventually stretchered off in the 68th minute. Isaac Ngoma and Dominic Jaricha were introduced as replacements.
Ngoma nearly made an immediate impact, weaving past defenders before firing narrowly over the crossbar in the 78th minute.
Hunters refused to surrender and reduced the deficit in the 85th minute, setting up a tense finish. Highlanders nearly restored their two-goal cushion in stoppage time when Brighton ‘Maninja’ Ncube connected with a pass from Ackim Nkomo, but his effort drifted wide.
The final whistle confirmed a valuable 2-1 victory for Highlanders and three important points.
Matchday 15 Suspensions:
1.Christopher Nakai Nettey (Dynamos FC)
2. Kelvin Gwao (ZPC Kariba FC)
3. Lawrence Chaziya (Simba Bhora FC)
4. Marlvin Gaki (Ngezi Platinum Stars FC)
5. Darlington Mukuli (Highlanders FC)
6. Kudakwashe Mahachi (Highlanders FC)
7.Godfrey Tadiwa Muchenje (FC Platinum)
8. Takudzwa Chikosi (TelOne FC)
Matchday 15 Results
- Scottland FC 2-0 CAPS United
- Highlanders FC 2-1 FC Hunters
- FC Platinum 0-1 Herentals
- TelOne FC 0-1 Agama FC
- ZPC Kariba 1-0 Chicken Inn
- Simba Bhora 1-1 Triangle United
What The Results Mean: Log Table
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
| 1 | HARDROCK FC | 14 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 21 | 7 | 14 | 28 |
| 2 | Scottland FC | 15 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 18 | 6 | 12 | 28 |
| 3 | Herentals College FC | 15 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 22 | 15 | 7 | 28 |
| 4 | CAPS United FC | 15 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 17 | 11 | 6 | 28 |
| 5 | Ngezi Platinum Stars FC | 15 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 20 | 14 | 6 | 26 |
| 6 | Dynamos FC | 14 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 19 | 12 | 7 | 24 |
| 7 | Highlanders FC | 15 | 4 | 10 | 1 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 22 |
| 8 | MWOS FC | 15 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 13 | 10 | 3 | 22 |
| 9 | Simba Bhora FC | 15 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 14 | 13 | 1 | 21 |
| 10 | FC Platinum | 15 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 20 |
| 11 | Chicken Inn FC | 15 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 13 | -3 | 18 |
| 12 | ZPC Kariba FC | 15 | 3 | 8 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 17 |
| 13 | Bulawayo Chiefs FC | 14 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 13 | 17 | -4 | 15 |
| 14 | AGAMA FC | 15 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 22 | -10 | 11 |
| 15 | FC Hunters | 15 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 20 | -11 | 11 |
| 16 | Manica Diamonds FC | 14 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 18 | -11 | 10 |
| 17 | Triangle United FC | 15 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 9 | 19 | -10 | 9 |
| 18 | TelOne FC | 15 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 11 | 22 | -11 | 8 |
With only a few points separating the top sides, the title race remains wide open as the league heads into the next round of fixtures.
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