Scottland players set for record US$10,000 bonuses

Players at Scottland FC are set to receive what is believed to be the biggest single cash bonus ever awarded to players in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League after club president Pedzisayi "Scott" Sakupwanya doubled an earlier incentive for topping the league standings.

Each player is expected to receive US$10,000 after Scottland secured top spot at the halfway stage of the season following a crucial 2-0 victory over fellow title contenders Hardrock FC at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday.

Sakupwanya had initially promised players a US$5,000 bonus if the newly promoted side finished the first round of matches at the summit of the league table. However, after the win over Hardrock, he announced that the reward had been increased to US$10,000 per player.

"You have to pay players so that they stay happy. I had promised them US$5,000 for finishing top of the log after 18 games and I have since put it up to US$10,000," Sakupwanya said on the club's in-house media platform.

"They are working, they need to feed their families.

"We don't want them to go to South Africa. They must stay in Zimbabwe."

Scottland's victory over Hardrock ensured they would remain top of the table regardless of the outcome of disciplinary proceedings relating to an unresolved match involving Hardrock and Dynamos FC.

The reigning champions sit on 37 points from 18 matches, five points ahead of Hardrock, who still have a game in hand pending the outcome of the disputed fixture.

Even if Hardrock are awarded maximum points from that match, Scottland would retain a two-point advantage at the top of the standings.

Sakupwanya said his long-term ambition was to create a club capable of attracting top Zimbabwean footballers back home from abroad.

"My goal is to bring all the good players, who are out of the country, to return home and play in Zimbabwe.

"I am busy with potential sponsors so that our football means business," he said.

The businessman also expressed confidence that the team had now developed the cohesion needed to challenge for domestic honours and compete on the continental stage.

"The team has now gelled; we are winning matches without any complaints. We are on a good run against teams that had been in top form before we faced them – the likes of Herentals, CAPS United and now Hardrock," he said.

In a playful jab at Hardrock owner Chahwanda, Sakupwanya added: "Yes, in business you are a big boy but, in football, I am the boss. I know how to play the game, I have good players and I have invested a lot of money."

Scottland have enjoyed a remarkable run in recent weeks, recording victories over key title rivals including Herentals FC, CAPS United FC and Hardrock.

Notably, all three opponents arrived in strong form but failed to score against Scottland during those encounters.

Sakupwanya also revealed that he had secured what he described as a major sponsorship agreement during a recent trip to Dubai, promising that supporters would soon see evidence of the deal.

"People might think we were joking that we are the Man City in Zimbabwe. They will see next year that, indeed, we are the Man City," he said.

"They will see what will be written on our jerseys. I have done the deal, I was in Dubai and signed the deal already."

With Scottland leading the title race and preparing for a potential CAF Champions League campaign next season, the record-breaking bonus announcement underlines the club's growing ambitions both on and off the field.