Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League
Zimbabwean association football league
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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 clubs | 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 | Scottland (1st title) (2025) |
| Most championships | Dynamos (21 titles)[1] |
| Broadcaster(s) | ZTN (live matches) |
| Current: 2026 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 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 winner also plays the winners of the Chibuku Cup in the Castle Challenge Cup at the beginning of the following season.[5]
Overview
Locations
Previous winners
Top goalscorers
| Year | Best scorers | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Alois Bunjira | CAPS United | 23 |
| 1999–2000 |  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 |
| 2021–22 | William Manondo | CAPS United | 17 |
| 2023 | Fortune Binzi | Manica Diamonds | 8 |
| 2024 | Lynoth Chikuhwa | Highlanders | 17 |
Sponsorship
From 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 has been extended until 2026.[6] 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
Previously, the Premier Soccer League had a television deal with SuperSport who broadcast matches regularly across Africa.[7]
In 2021, the league signed a deal with ZTN (Zimpapers Television Network) to air live Castle Lager PSL and Chibuku Super Cup matches.[8] ZTN Prime,[9] their newest free-to-air television network will air the matches and their social media platforms as well.
Lack of goalscoring
As of end of the 2024 season, in the eleven seasons since 2012, when champions Dynamos scored 58 goals in a 30-game season, only three teams have scored more than 50 goals, in spite of the season length being increased to 34 games. This relative lack of goalscoring has been attributed to poor pitch quality, a defensive coaching attitude, and a lack of resources and data-driven training.[10]