In the numerology of life, the number 30 is often associated with maturity, dedication, and the turning of a significant page. In the rugged, unpredictable world of Zimbabwean football, it now signifies a miracle.
Yesterday, amidst the sweltering atmosphere of Ascot Stadium, Scottland FC etched their name into history, becoming the 30th Premiership champion. They did the unthinkable, sealing the title in their very first season a debut campaign that began with ambition and ended in absolute glory.
The gravity of Scottland’s achievement was matched only by the profile of the dignitaries in the stands. Elevating the afternoon from a sporting finale to a matter of national significance was the presence of the Guest of Honor, First Lady Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa.
Her attendance at Ascot Stadium underscored the magnitude of the moment, as she joined the football fraternity to witness the crowning of the league's newest kings.
She was flanked by a powerful delegation, including the Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, who played host to the historic proceedings. The VIP enclosure was a "Who's Who" of administration, featuring Premier Soccer League (PSL) chairman Isaiah Mupfurutsa, governors Kenneth Mhlope and Oscar Nduwure, and Women’s Football president Chido Chizondo.
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At the center of the celebrations, visibly moved by the occasion and the high-profile support, was “Panjap” Ushendibaba. For the team's leadership, seeing Scottland rise from a concept to champions under the gaze of the First Lady validated a vision many deemed impossible.
For the city of Gweru, the scenes carried a bittersweet familiarity. The "City of Progress" has become the unintended Kingmaker of the league a neutral ground where champions are crowned, even as the city yearns for a title of its own.
Ascot has seen this script before. The stadium’s ghosts nodded in recognition as the final whistle blew. It was here in 2016 that the "Green Machine," CAPS United, ended their long drought. It was here in 2017 that FC Platinum shifted the geography of football power.
Yesterday, Ascot added another chapter to its milestone-laden history. While Gweru remains a city without a current Premiership title holder of its own, it proved once again to be the perfect stage for a coronation.
Becoming the 30th champion is no small statistical footnote. It represents a changing of the guard. In a league often dominated by traditional giants and established institutions, Scottland’s rapid ascent proves that with the right resources, dedication, and management, the old order can not only be challenged it can be toppled instantly
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