*Eyes on Scottland as 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League kicks off* https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VajK5EjDeOMygRZPPb0v All eyes will be on Scottland FC when the 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League kicks off on Friday. With a free spending spree during the pre-season transfer window, the Mabvuku-based side was the most active side on the market. Owned by Mabvuku-Tafara legislator and dealer Pedzai Scott Sakupwanya, Mabviravira went as far as luring five of the 2024 league-winning players who were at Simba Bhora, including Soccer Star of the Year Walter Musona. Other than securing Musona, Scottland also managed to land the signature of star player Khama Billiat, who was the first runner-up to the Soccer Star of the Year and second runner-up Lynoth Chikuhwa, who was the 2024 season Golden Boot winner. Promoted from the Northern Region Division One League controversially, Scottland will be led by 2024 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Coach of the Year, Tonderai Ndiraya, whom they snatched from Simba Bhora together with his technical team. Mabviravira opens their league campaign on Friday with a date against league returners Triangle at Rufaro stadium at 3 p.m. League action continues over the weekend with eight more matches scheduled across the country. Other than Scottland, defending league champions Simba Bhora is another side to watch despite the mass exodus of players during the pre-season transfer. The Go Buju Go side parted ways with 13 players who were part of the family last season, together with the whole technical team. However, they have done a decent job securing replacements with several key signings like landing Donald Mudadi from Dynamos, Liberty Chakoroma from Manica Diamonds, goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga from CAPS United and others. The side will be led by Highlanders legend Joel Lupahla, who had a bad start to the campaign after suffering a defeat to Dynamos in the Castle Challenge Cup this past weekend. Other than focusing on the money bags, for all these reasons, Dynamos will also receive a large share of attention, especially after shocking Simba Bhora last week in the Castle Challenge Cup with a fairly young assembled squad. Dembare is struggling financially and was deserted by several key players, including captain Frank Makarati, who went to Tel One, Tanaka Shandirwa, who is now at CAPS United and others. However, team head coach Lloyd “Mablanyo” Chigowe has done a decent job of making the side competitive by unleashing a number of youngsters from the junior side who impressed during their triumph over Simba. CASTLE LAGER PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE MATCHDAY 1 FIXTURES FRIDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2025 SCOTTLAND FC VS TRIANGLE UNITED FC SATURDAY 1ST MARCH 2025 HERENTALS COLLEGE FC VS TELONE (Rufaro) SIMBA BHORA FC VS FC PLATINUM (Wadzanai stadium) MANICA DIAMONDS FC VS YADAH FC (Sakubva stadium) CHICKEN INN FC VS BIKITA MINERALS FC (Luveve stadium) KWEKWE UNITED FC VS NGEZI PLATINUM STARS FC (Bata Stadium) GREENFUEL FC VS CAPS UNITED FC (Greenfuel Arena) SUNDAY 2ND MARCH 2025 DYNAMOS FC VS ZPC KARIBA FC (Rufaro) MWoS FC VS HIGHLANDERS FC (Baobab) *NewZimbabwe.com*