Scottland FC’s Ambitious Infrastructure Plans
Scottland Football Club is set to embark on a major infrastructural investment, with club president and founder Scott Sakupwanya unveiling plans to build a state-of-the-art stadium that will cost an estimated US$30 million. This new facility, which will be approved by both FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), is scheduled to be constructed in the Ruwa area, near Mabvuku, Harare.
The announcement comes after a remarkable season for Scottland, during which they secured the Premier Soccer League (PSL) title following a 5-1 victory over Kwekwe United. This win not only earned them a spot in the prestigious CAF Champions League but also marked a significant milestone in the club’s history.
As part of their long-term vision, the club has already established the Scottland Football Complex in Ruwa. The first phase of player accommodation has been completed, and the complex will serve as a hub for players from the Scottland Football Academy up to the senior team. This initiative aims to reduce camping expenses and provide a centralized training and living environment for all players.
The complex will feature a range of amenities, including an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a restaurant, a gym, and a conference center. It will also serve as the location for the club’s training facilities and the new stadium.
In an in-house interview, Sakupwanya emphasized his commitment to national and community development. “We are Zimbabweans; we have to build our own nation. As Scottland, we want to build our stadium on our own,” he declared.
The decision to accelerate the stadium project has been driven by the club’s upcoming participation in the CAF Champions League, which is expected to start around September next year. Sakupwanya confirmed that the club has already received quotations for the project, stating, “It will be a top-class stadium. It’s going to be CAF-approved, and it will cost us about US$30 million.”
However, Sakupwanya acknowledged the challenges posed by the construction timeline. “What is boring is that we were informed that it will be complete in 18 months,” he said, suggesting that the club may need to use an alternate venue for their Champions League home games in the first half of the season.
Despite this, the club’s training facilities are already in place for the next season, ensuring that the team remains well-prepared for the upcoming challenges.
This development aligns with a growing trend of investment in Zimbabwe’s football infrastructure. Teams such as MWOS FC, Hardrock FC, Simba Bhora, and Yadah FC are also working towards upgrading their stadiums to meet CAF standards.
Recruitment Focus: Bringing Back Denver Mukamba
In addition to the stadium news, Sakupwanya has extended a firm invitation to Dynamos midfielder Denver Mukamba to rejoin his former club. Mukamba, who played for Scottland FC in Division One last season, is considered a key target for the newly-crowned PSL champions.
Sakupwanya was candid about his desire to bring the player back to the Mabvuku side. “During preseason, I told my coach that we had to get Denver, even if he plays a few minutes,” he said.
The Scottland president admitted that Mukamba, known by his field name ‘Mundikumbuke’ or ‘Baba Dhodho’, was his greatest concern when the two teams faced off. Mukamba even scored the decisive goal that kept Dynamos’ survival hopes alive against Scottland.
“When we played Dynamos, Denver was a marvel to watch, and he was the one I was more afraid of than any other player. I know him, I like him. He is a destroyer,” Sakupwanya revealed.
Despite the absence of a mutual agreement with Dynamos, Sakupwanya made a light-hearted but resolute promise to the media. “I will say to Dynamos, I am sorry; Denver is my son. So, by next year, I will say ‘Denver! Welcome back!’ Your jersey is still there,” he quipped.
Sakupwanya also reminded Dynamos fans that he was instrumental in Mukamba’s return to professional football. “I plead with Dynamos supporters — I am also a Dynamos fan, let’s have a mutual agreement, guys, I know it’s painful, but Denver is my player. Dynamos should thank me because I am the one who took Denver the time he was no longer playing football,” he concluded.