CASTLE Lager Premier Soccer League debutants Scottland FC are leaving no stone unturned in a bid to expand its brand, with ambitions to bring top European clubs to Zimbabwe.
The club is having a memorable debut season, currently engrossed in a two-horse race for the championship. They are a point behind leaders and defending champions Simba Bhora.
The Shamva-based side tops the standings with 53 points from 26 matches, while Scottland are on 52 points from the same number of games.
Beyond their on-field success, the flamboyant club has been credited with changing the face of local football through fan engagement activities.
These initiatives have led to an increase in supporters attending their matches. The club has also introduced membership opportunities with varying benefits and community projects.
The club has an exhibition stand at the ongoing Harare Agricultural Show, aiming to push its brand even further.
Speaking on the sidelines of a meet-and-greet with players at the show on Tuesday, Scottland FC's vice-chairperson, Beadle Musa Gwasira, revealed the club’s desire to bring top international clubs to the country.”
“The big picture is we want to bring those European clubs,” he said, “Like what used to happen during the 1980s, with Coventry City coming to Zimbabwe.”
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“All these other Arab clubs would come to Zimbabwe. We want to promote our nation; we want to promote our tourism industry through football.”
Gwasira said that the Harare Agricultural Show stand was a key part of this strategy, allowing people to learn about the club, its players and how to become a member.
“Here at Scottland, we are building a new brand, a new kid on the block. We are here to market ourselves. We want to be known all over the world.”
The club also brought players to the show to allow them to interact directly with supporters. Gwasira emphasised the importance of this connection, stating that it allows fans to meet the players they see in newspapers and on television, creating a more personal bond.
“There is a bigger improvement in our football because of Scottland FC,” Gwasira said.
“We have been hearing some comments from people that we changed football in Zimbabwe. Some of our friends are saying, ‘It’s my first time to be at Rufaro Stadium because of Scottland.
The Scottland FC exhibition stand at the 2025 Zimbabwe Agricultural Show offers fans a variety of activities, including games where visitors can enjoy Fifa, table soccer and penalty shootout games.
There are also health checks where Scottland Clinic provides free blood pressure and diabetes tests.
Fans can interact with Scottland FC players on selected days, and the stand provides information about the team’s journey, new stadium, clubhouse and high-performance centre.
Official Scottland FC jerseys and other items are available for purchase.
The club’s presence at the show has a packed schedule, including a meet-and-greet with brand ambassadors, a stakeholders’ day and the president’s night cocktail event, all culminating in a family fun day on Saturday.
