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.
The league consists of 18 teams that play a total of 34 matches each. 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.
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.
Overview Locations
Previous winners
Top goalscorers Year Best scorers Team Goals1996 Alois Bunjira CAPS United 231999–2000 Chewe Mulenga Railstars 242000 Thomas Makwasha Shabanie 162001 Tapfuma Gahadzikwa CAPS United 192002 Zenzo Moyo Highlanders 212003 Sageby Sandaka Amazulu 172004 Leonard Tsipa CAPS United 182005 Edmore Mufema Motor Action 172006 Ralph Matema Highlanders 192007 Cuthbert Malajila Chapungu United 152008 Evans Chikwaikwai Njube Sundowns 232009 Nyasha Mushekwi CAPS United 212010 Norman Maroto Gunners 222011 Rodreck Mutuma Dynamos 142012 Nelson Mazivisa Shabanie Mine 182013 Tendai Ndoro Chicken Inn 182015 Knox Mutizwa Highlanders 142016 Leonard Tsipa CAPS United 112017 Mukhoshi SibandaBantu Rovers 72021–22 William ManondoCAPS United172023 Fortune BinziManica Diamonds82024 Lynoth ChikuhwaHighlanders172025 Washington NavayaTelOne17
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. Originally a lower income level, in 2014 Delta Beverages upped their sponsorship to $3.6 million.
PeriodSponsorName2011– 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.
In 2021, the league signed a deal with ZTN (Zimpapers Television Network) to air live Castle Lager PSL and Chibuku Super Cup matches. ZTN Prime, 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.
See also Soccer Star of the Year
References
External links fifa.com; League overview RSSSF competition history