The Castle Lager Premier Soccer League roars into life on Friday, 6 March, amidst so much buzz after defending champions Scottland FC set an early marker of their intentions when they demolished Dynamos in the Castle Challenge Cup.
Simply put, their outstanding performance raised high hopes and interest in how they will fare in the 2026 season, where they will seek to defend the title as well as plunge into the African safari – the 2026/27 CAF Champions League.
While their house is in order, there is a stark difference with the once-beautiful Dynamos FC. Here, Fanzone looks at the top five must-watch Matchday One matches, as the elite league roars into life.
FC HUNTERS VS MWOS FC (RUFARO STADIUM)
FC Hunters begins their life in the PSL with a date against last season’s runners-up MWOS FC at Rufaro Stadium on Friday. While there was a lot of confusion around their ownership and franchise, it appears their house is now in order after a somewhat confusing merger with N’ombeyaora.
Moreover, the arrival of Denver Mukamba makes them a team interesting to watch, considering the hype he brings. How they will fare with Nesbert Saruchera at the helm remains to be seen. MWOS FC, on the other hand, will hope to pick up from where they left off last season despite losing key players, including Nigel Matinha, Aboubakar Moffart, and goalkeeper Martin Mapisa.
It will be interesting to see how they fare after beefing up their technical team with Wilson Mutekede, one of the best football brains in the country. The Punters didn’t go all out on the transfer market, but they remain one of the few teams tipped to seriously challenge for the title.
TELONE VS DYNAMOS (ASCOT STADIUM)
After their 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Scottland on Sunday, Genesis Mangombe takes a gruelling trip to Gweru to face TelOne at Ascot Stadium on Saturday. So much pressure is already on Mangombe, whose return to the team was met with mixed feelings.
And facing TelOne FC is a test he wants to pass. Last season, Dynamos drew 1-1 with The Wifi Boys at Rufaro before losing 1-0 in the reverse fixture played on 12 August. While Mangombe desperately needs to win this one, perhaps to win the club’s faithfuls, TelOne are also seeking a jump start as they face tough opponents in the first matches.
After Dynamos, they face MWOS FC, Simba Bhora, FC Platinum, Scottland FC, and ZPC Kariba in that order. In addition, TelOne also made a number of decent signings that include Farai Matatu, Jerry Chipangura, Innocent Mucheneka, and Marvellous Chigumira, among others. And they will hope to continue from where they left off last season, having ended in fifth position.
NGEZI PLATINUM VS FC PLATINUM (BAOBAB STADIUM)
In another match to be played on Saturday, Ngezi Platinum Stars host FC Platinum in what has been dubbed the Platinum Derby over the years. So much has changed at the respective clubs, starting with the coaching staff.
Takesure Chiragwi left Ngezi Platinum to join Caps United, with Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva replacing him. Norman Mapeza left FC Platinum for Scottland FC, and Joel Lupahla replaced him. Several players, including Talent Chamboko, Kudzai Chigwida, and Obriel Chirinda, left Ngezi Platinum, while the likes of goalkeeper Wallace Magalane and David Bizabani parted ways with FC Platinum.
In their last ten matches, both teams won three times apiece and drew four times. Last season, they drew 0-0 at Mandava Stadium, and Ngezi Platinum won 1-0 at Baobab Stadium. FC Platinum had a decent pre-season camp in Zambia, and coach Joel Lupahla is aiming to reap the rewards of the expedition, having also made several additions to the team, including Mckinnon Mushore, Raphael Pitisi, and several foreigners.
HARDROCK VS SCOTTLAND FC ( CHAHWANDA STADIUM)
On Sunday, PSL newcomers Hardrock FC host Scottland FC at Chahwanda Stadium in undoubtedly the much-anticipated fixture of Matchday One. What makes this more exciting is that this will be the first match at the state-of-the-art stadium in Kwekwe.
Hardrock, who recently returned from a two-week pre-season camp in Botswana and South Africa, are aiming for a successful season having been the busiest on the market, signing 2025 Soccer Star of the Year Washington Navaya, Junior Makunike, Donald Mudadi, among other highly rated signings.
Moreover, the huge investment by Shepherd Chahwanda at Chahwanda Stadium will be a major driving force. The defending PSL Champions already set the tone for the season after beating Dynamos 5-0 in the Castle Challenge Cup.
But Mapeza will be the first to admit that this will be a tough task against Kelvin Kaindu, who is shrewd in his own right, especially with the level of investment by the Kwekwe-based side.
In truth, this match pits two coaches, Mapeza and Kelvin Kaindu, against each other – both under massive pressure to deliver results for their high-rolling bosses.
HIGHLANDERS VS BULAWAYO CHIEFS (BARBOURFIELDS STADIUM)
On Sunday, at Barbourfields Stadium, Highlanders FC face PSL returnees Bulawayo Chiefs FC. Fuelled by the hefty money poured in by Wicknell Chivhayoz a new bus and luxury vehicles, Bosso are flying high. They weren’t one of the busiest teams on the transfer market, but they wrapped up their pre-season on a high note in Botswana.
Moreover, their win over Dynamos in the Jairos Jiri Charity Cup remains something to smile about as Benjani Mwaruwari’s tenure is set to swing into life. So much is expected from the former Warriors striker, but his first task is no easy feat – a derby against a team that has a lot to prove in the PSL.
Chiefs, under John Nyikadzino, are aiming to keep their PSL status this time around, and how they’ve ramped up their team; new sponsors are a clear indication of what they want to achieve.
Additionally, they had a decent transfer season as they signed several players that boast of PSL experience, among them Blessing Kagudu, Denzel Mapuwa, Busi Mathe, Clive Rupiya Maxwell Murimi, Melikhaya Ncube and Brian Muza among others.
