By McGeorge Mbare
History was made yesterday as Shamva based side Simba Bhora secured their first ever Premier Soccer League title, after breaking the resilience of relegated side Arenal Movers 1-0 at Luveve stadium.
The team becomes the first ever champions of Zimbabwean football out of Mashonaland Central. It also joins very few teams that have taken the title coming outside of the two cities, Harare and Bulawayo. They become the third team outside Bulawayo and Harare to be crowned champions. Meanwhile the victory has earned Tonderai Ndiraya his first ever coaching career championship.
Simba Bhora captain, Walter Musona continues to shine as he scored the only goal of the match on the 1st minute of the game, which secured the Shamva based three points to reach 66 point enough to be crowned the champions of the land with only two games left.
Most importantly, the 2024 champions Simba Bhora has secured their spot in the 2025/26 CAF Champions league where they will make their historic continental first appearance facing the crème dela crème of African club football.
Elsewhere, Highlanders suffered a 2-0 loss against Bikita Minerals, and following their victory Bikita Minerals boosted their slim hopes of surviving the chop.
Here is a list of past Zimbabwean Football Champions since 1980
1980 Dynamos
1981 Dynamos
1982 Dynamos
1983 Dynamos
1984 Black Rhinos
1985 Dynamos
1986 Dynamos
1987 Black Rhinos
1988 Zimbabwe Saints
1989 Dynamos
1990 Highlanders
1991 Dynamos
1992 Black Aces
1993 Highlanders
1994 Dynamos
1995 Dynamos
1996 CAPS United
1997 Dynamos
1998/99 Highlanders
2000 Highlanders
2001 Highlanders
2002 Highlanders
2003 Amazulu
2004 CAPS United
2005 CAPS United
2006 Highlanders
2007 Dynamos
2008 Monomotapa United
2009 Gunners
2010 Motor Action
2011 Dynamos
2012 Dynamos
2013 Dynamos
2014 Dynamos
2015 Chicken Inn
2016 CAPS United
2017 FC Platinum
2018 FC Platinum
2019 FC Platinum
2021/22 FC Platinum
2023 Ngezi Platinum
2024 Simba Bhora