Unbeaten Platinum Host Red-Hot Scottland In Historic PSL Clash
ZVISHAVANE – FC Platinum are just one match away from equaling Highlanders’ iconic 23-game unbeaten run in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
Norman Mapeza’s men, unbeaten since March 1, host second-placed Scottland this Saturday at Mandava Stadium in a fixture that could shape the destiny of the 2025 season.
The defending champions have demonstrated grit and consistency in recent weeks, snatching nine points in seven days through victories over MWOS (2–0), Kwekwe United (2–1), and GreenFuel (1–0), with the latter result stirring minor controversy in Chisumbanje.
“I am proud of the boys, they have worked so hard,” said Mapeza following the GreenFuel win, which extended their unbeaten streak to 22 matches and reaffirmed their title credentials.
With 40 points, FC Platinum are fourth on the table—three behind Scottland and four behind log leaders Simba Bhora and still have a game in hand against Manica Diamonds. That fixture was postponed following the tragic death of midfielder Brian Banda.
According to Chronicle, Platinum have the best defensive record this season, conceding just eight goals while scoring 23, led by the formidable centre-back partnership of Mbongeni “Mbola” Ndlovu and Malawian Nickson Nyasulu.
The record FC Platinum are chasing was set in 2012 under Highlanders’ Zambian coach Kelvin “KK” Kaindu, whose side went 180 days unbeaten from April until a 0–3 defeat to Monomotapa in late September.
Kaindu, now head coach at Dynamos, watches from the sidelines as Mapeza’s squad approaches his former benchmark with growing confidence and tactical discipline.
Scottland, meanwhile, enter the match in blazing form. The ambitious debutants have won four games in a row and sit second on the log with 43 points.
They are chasing their own piece of history—attempting to match Black Rhinos’ 1984 feat by winning the league in their debut season.
Their intent was further underlined this week with the high-profile signing of Warriors legend Knowledge Musona.
“I think the whole nation must be excited to watch Knowledge in our Premier League. The fact that he decided to come back and play in our league is a very huge plus for our league,” said Scottland head coach Tonderai Ndiraya
Musona is expected to debut alongside his younger brother Walter—marking their first club appearance together in Zimbabwe’s top flight.
Victory for Scottland would halt FC Platinum’s march toward history and push Ndiraya closer to another rare accolade: becoming the first coach to win back-to-back titles with different teams, following his 2024 triumph with Simba Bhora.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Dynamos host MWOS in a match that could significantly impact the title race. If MWOS falter and Platinum win, Mapeza’s side could leap into second position and close in on Simba Bhora.
With unbeaten records, historic parallels, and star power converging, Mandava Stadium becomes the epicenter of Zimbabwean football this weekend.
