Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League
Founded1980; 44 years ago (1980)
Country Zimbabwe (18 teams)
ConfederationCAF
Number of teams18
Level on pyramid1
Relegation toZimbabwean Division One
Domestic cup(s)Chibuku Super Cup
International cup(s)Champions League
Confederation Cup
Current championsNgezi Platinum (2nd title)
(2023)
Most championshipsDynamos
(21 titles)[1]
TV partnersZTN (live matches)
Current: 2024 Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League

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]

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

Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League is located in Zimbabwe
Harare
Bulawayo
Ngezi Platinum
Manica Diamonds
FC Platinum
Green Fuel
Green Fuel
Hwange Colliery
ZPC Kariba
Simba Bhora
Simba Bhora
Sheasham
Sheasham
Triangle United
Harare teams Dynamos Herentals CAPS United Yadah Cranborne Bullets Black Rhinos
Bulawayo teams Highlanders Chicken Inn Bulawayo Chiefs
Location of teams in the 2023 Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League.

2021–22 season clubs

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

Main article: List of Rhodesian and Zimbabwean football champions

Top goalscorers

Year Best scorers Team Goals
1996 Zimbabwe Alois Bunjira CAPS United 23
1999–00 Zambia Chewe Mulenga Railstars 24
2000 Zimbabwe Thomas Makwasha Shabanie 16
2001 Zimbabwe Tapfuma Gahadzikwa CAPS United 19
2002 Zimbabwe Zenzo Moyo Highlanders 21
2003 Zimbabwe Sageby Sandaka Amazulu 17
2004 Zimbabwe Leonard Tsipa CAPS United 18
2005 Zimbabwe Edmore Mufema Motor Action 17
2006 Zimbabwe Ralph Matema Highlanders 19
2007 Zimbabwe Cuthbert Malajila Chapungu United 15
2008 Zimbabwe Evans Chikwaikwai Njube Sundowns 23
2009 Zimbabwe Nyasha Mushekwi CAPS United 21
2010 Zimbabwe Norman Maroto Gunners 22
2011 Zimbabwe Rodreck Mutuma Dynamos 14
2012 Zimbabwe Nelson Mazivisa Shabanie Mine 18
2013 Zimbabwe Tendai Ndoro Chicken Inn 18
2015 Zimbabwe Knox Mutizwa Highlanders 14
2016 Zimbabwe Leonard Tsipa CAPS United 11
2017 Zimbabwe Mukhoshi Sibanda Bantu Rovers 7
2022 Zimbabwe William Manondo CAPS United 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 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

Before, 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

References

  1. ^ "Zimbabwe (And Rhodesia) Champions". Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "FootballZone.co.zw – 2012 PSL League table". FootballZone. Archived from the original on 23 September 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  4. ^ "Fifa.com – Zimbabwe:- League table". Fifa. Archived from the original on 26 June 2007.
  5. ^ "Zimbabwe - Premier Soccer League". LiveSoccerTV. 14 July 2016. Archived from the original on 23 August 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  6. ^ "PSL, ZTN in game changing deal". The Herald. Archived from the original on 30 May 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  7. ^ Herald, The. "Joy as ZTN Prime goes live on DStv". The Herald. Archived from the original on 30 May 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  8. ^ 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
  9. ^ 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

Football in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League
Top-level football leagues of Africa (CAF)
Categories