For five years between 2017 and 2022, Zimbabwe football was dominated by the platinum miners FC Platinum and Ngezi Platinum Stars.
FC Platinum won four consecutive titles beginning in 2017 while Ngezi Platinum wrestled the local championship from the Zvishavane-based side in 2023.
Now it appears like the tide has changed with the teams supported by gold miners looking like they are here to dominate Zimbabwean football for the foreseeable future.
Simba Bhora are the current Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions after they made a huge cash splash during the transfer season last year bringing in no less than 10 new players and they reaped the rewards.
Newcomer Scottland FC owned by Scott Pedzai Sakupwanya, whose company Betterbrands is big on gold mining among other ventures, has taken the transfer market by storm.
Scottland’s shopping spree has been epic to the extent that they have captured the signatures of all of the three best players in the local league last season including soccer star of the year Walter Musona.
Musona has been joined by his soccer star first and second runners up, Lynoth Chikuhwa and Khama Billiat at the club while coach Tonderai Ndiraya, who won the championship with Simba Bhora has jumped ship to lead the flamboyant side’s technical team.
Scottland have been signing all the best players in the land after they also officially unveiled Peter Muduhwa, Godknows Murwira, Kingsley Mureremba, Mthokozisi Msebe, Tichaona Chipunza, Tymon Machope, and Michael Tapera among others.
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Yesterday the club announced its 20th signing of the season, Godfrey Makaruse formerly with Highlanders while two top goalkeepers Talbert Shumba and Nelson Chadya have joined the club.
A total of six players who won the title with Simba Bhora have since moved to Scottland while Bulawayo giants Highlanders have lost at least three players to the new moneybags of Zimbabwean football.
Indications suggest that Scottland are not yet done with their recruitment for a debut season in the topflight league while reports suggest that over 40 players turned up for training on the first day.
Coach Tonderai Ndiraya will be expected to deliver instant success considering the amount of investment made by the club owners.
“I’m incredibly excited for obvious reasons. This is the biggest and hottest franchise due to what the club has done so far. I feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to lead such a renowned brand. My hope is that we have a successful maiden season,” he told Scottland media department last week.
Not to be outdone, Simba Bhora have also pulled out a massive war chest which has seen them sign at least 13 players so far this season to rebuild a team depleted by high profile departures.
Under new coach Joel Luphahla, Simba Bhora have been targeting some of the country’s top prospects who are yet to be proven save for former Dynamos midfielder Donald Mudadi, Trevor Mavhunga signed from Manica Diamonds, Liberty Chakoroma and Marlvern Hwata.
The other exciting talent to have join the team which will represent the country in the Caf Champions League include Blessed Ndereki, Tinotenda Meke, Emmanuel Ziocha and Barnabas Mutuche , to mention but a few.
Simba Bhora will also be looking to extend their dominance in the local league beyond just one season.
But the biggest question remains; Is this the end for the traditional giants of local football Dynamos, Highlander and CAPS United or will they restore the glory days?
Have the platinum miners lost their grip on local football?
Only time will tell but in the meantime, behold the Golden era of Zimbabwean football.
