Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League is the top professional division of the Zimbabwe Football Association. It was founded in 1980, as a successor to the 1962 formed Rhodesia National Football League. It is currently sponsored by Delta Beverages under the Castle Lager brand and hence is known as Castle Lager Premier Soccer League. The current sponsorship deal runs from 2011 and is worth $3.6 million.[2]
 | |
| Founded | 1980 |
|---|---|
| Country |  Zimbabwe (18 teams) |
| Confederation | CAF |
| Number of teams | 18 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| Relegation to | Zimbabwean Division One |
| Domestic cup(s) | Chibuku Super Cup |
| International cup(s) | Champions League Confederation Cup |
| Current champions | Simba Bhora (1st title) (2024) |
| Most championships | Dynamos (21 titles)[1] |
| TV partners | ZTN (live matches) |
| Current: 2024 Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League | |
The league consists of 18 teams listed below, that play a total of 34 matches. The season runs from April to November. Most matches are played during weekends on Saturdays and Sundays. Postponed matches are played midweek. At the end of the season four teams are relegated into the lower division and an equal number promoted.[3][4]
The end of season winner qualifies for the CAF Champions League, while the Cup of Zimbabwe winners gains entry into the CAF Confederation Cup, though clubs from the league do not always participate if they qualify. The current champions are Ngezi Platinum who won the 2023 Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League.
Overview
edit
2021–22 season clubs
edit| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Rhinos | Harare | Morris Depot Police Camp | 5,000 |
| Bulawayo Chiefs | Bulawayo | Luveve Stadium | 8,000 |
| Bulawayo City | Bulawayo | Barbourfields Stadium | 40,000 |
| CAPS United | Harare | National Sports Stadium (Zimbabwe) | 80,000 |
| Chicken Inn | Bulawayo | Luveve Stadium | 8,000 |
| Cranborne Bullets | Harare | Luveve Stadium | 8,000 |
| Dynamos | Harare | Rufaro Stadium | 60,000 |
| Platinum | Zvishavane | Mandava Stadium | 15,000 |
| Harare City | Harare | Rufaro Stadium | 60,000 |
| Herentals F.C. | Harare | National Sports Stadium (Zimbabwe) | 80,000 |
| Highlanders | Bulawayo | Barbourfields Stadium | 40,000 |
| Manica Diamonds | Mutare | Sakubva Stadium | 20,000 |
| Ngezi Platinum Stars | Mhondoro | Baobab Stadium | 1,000 |
| Tenax CS | Mutare | Sakubva Stadium | 20,000 |
| Triangle United | Chiredzi | Gibbo Stadium | 3,000 |
| Wha Wha | Gweru | Ascot Stadium | 5,000 |
| Yadah | Harare | National Sports Stadium (Zimbabwe) | 80,000 |
| ZPC Kariba | Kariba | Nyamhunga Stadium | 5,000 |
Previous winners
editTop goalscorers
edit| Year | Best scorers | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Alois Bunjira |
CAPS United | 23 |
| 1999–00 |  Chewe Mulenga |
Railstars | 24 |
| 2000 | Thomas Makwasha |
Shabanie | 16 |
| 2001 | Tapfuma Gahadzikwa |
CAPS United | 19 |
| 2002 | Zenzo Moyo |
Highlanders | 21 |
| 2003 | Sageby Sandaka |
Amazulu | 17 |
| 2004 | Leonard Tsipa |
CAPS United | 18 |
| 2005 | Edmore Mufema |
Motor Action | 17 |
| 2006 | Ralph Matema |
Highlanders | 19 |
| 2007 | Cuthbert Malajila |
Chapungu United | 15 |
| 2008 | Evans Chikwaikwai |
Njube Sundowns | 23 |
| 2009 | Nyasha Mushekwi |
CAPS United | 21 |
| 2010 | Norman Maroto |
Gunners | 22 |
| 2011 | Rodreck Mutuma |
Dynamos | 14 |
| 2012 | Nelson Mazivisa |
Shabanie Mine | 18 |
| 2013 | Tendai Ndoro |
Chicken Inn | 18 |
| 2015 | Knox Mutizwa |
Highlanders | 14 |
| 2016 | Leonard Tsipa |
CAPS United | 11 |
| 2017 | Mukhoshi Sibanda |
Bantu Rovers | 7 |
| 2022 | William Manondo |
CAPS United | 17 |
Sponsorship
editFrom 2011, the Premier Soccer League has had title sponsorship rights sold to Delta Beverages, who sponsor the league under their Castle Lager brand. The deal runs until 2018. Originally a lower income level, in 2014 Delta Beverages upped their sponsorship to $3.6 million.[2]
| Period | Sponsor | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2011– | Delta Beverages, Castle Lager | Castle Lager Premier Soccer League |
Media coverage
editBefore, the Premier Soccer League has a television deal with SuperSport who broadcast matches regularly across Africa.[5]
In 2021, the league signed a deal with ZTN (Zimpapers Television Network) to air live Castle Lager PSL and Chibuku Super Cup matches.[6] ZTN Prime,[7] their newest free-to-air television network will air the matches and their social media platforms as well.
On Youtube and Facebook, The May 15, 2022's match of Highlanders F.C. versus Dynamos Harare F.C. garnered 50,000 viewers as the highest-viewed PSL match on the social media platforms.[8][9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Zimbabwe (And Rhodesia) Champions". Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ a b "$3,6m for Castle Lager PSL". News Day. 27 March 2014. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
- ^ "FootballZone.co.zw – 2012 PSL League table". FootballZone. Archived from the original on 23 September 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
- ^ "Fifa.com – Zimbabwe:- League table". Fifa. Archived from the original on 26 June 2007.
- ^ "Zimbabwe - Premier Soccer League". LiveSoccerTV. 14 July 2016. Archived from the original on 23 August 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
- ^ "PSL, ZTN in game changing deal". The Herald. Archived from the original on 30 May 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
- ^ Herald, The. "Joy as ZTN Prime goes live on DStv". The Herald. Archived from the original on 30 May 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
- ^ CASTLE LAGER PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 15 | : HIGHLANDERS FC Vs DYNAMOS FC : 15 MAY 2022, archived from the original on 30 May 2022, retrieved 30 May 2022
- ^ Castle Lager Premier Soccer League - CASTLE LAGER PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 15 | : HIGHLANDERS FC Vs DYNAMOS FC : 15 MAY 2022 | Facebook| By Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, archived from the original on 30 May 2022, retrieved 30 May 2022
External links
edit- fifa.com; League overview
- RSSSF competition history