The 2024 Castle Premier Soccer League season concluded dramatically this weekend, with Simba Bhora crowned champions for the first time in their history. They edged out four-time winners FC Platinum, who finished second, trailing by five points. Defending champions Ngezi Platinum Stars settled for third place.
One of the standout stories of the season was Telone FC’s remarkable turnaround under coach Hebert Maruwa. The team, which was 17th and staring at relegation when Maruwa took over, defied the odds to secure a 10th-place finish. Telone capped off their season with a hard-fought away draw against FC Platinum in their final match.
Reflecting on the season, Maruwa commended his players for their resilience, emphasizing the importance of their survival and expressing optimism for further improvements in the next campaign.
Meanwhile, FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza, whose side narrowly missed out on the title, acknowledged his team’s strong effort and signalled intentions to come back stronger next season.
At the other end of the table, it was heartbreak for Arenel Movers, Chegutu Pirates, Hwange FC, and Bulawayo Chiefs, who were all relegated. Bikita Minerals narrowly escaped the drop in a tightly contested bottom half of the table.
The 2024 season will be remembered not only for Simba Bhora’s historic triumph but also for the fierce competition and compelling narratives that unfolded from start to finish.
