For years, Zimbabwean football has struggled with stagnation, underfunded, political entanglement, and a largely reliance on corporate sponsorship from mining firms. Infrastructure has lagged, players have gone unpaid, and hopes of reviving the golden era of the national team have remained elusive.
But change, though gradual, is underway. And at the heart of that transformation stands a man whose name is now becoming synonymous with Zimbabwean football: Scott Sakupwanya.
The businessman and philanthropist is the driving force behind Scotland FC, currently sitting second in the Premier Soccer League, just a point behind table-toppers Simba Bhora. Yet Sakupwanya’s influence on the sport goes far beyond league standings. He is part of a new generation of private individuals stepping into a space traditionally dominated by state and corporate actors, bringing with them a level of vision and investment that is reshaping the game from the grassroots up.
Scotland FC is not just a club with ambitions on the pitch. Under Sakupwanya’s leadership, it is building one of the most ambitious sports facilities the country has seen in recent years. A brand-new sports complex in Ruwa is currently under development.
The facility will serve both the first team and academy players, and will include a full-size training pitch, an Olympic-standard swimming pool, a state-of-the-art gym, a world-class restaurant, and a dedicated conference centre. It’s a bold move that signals not just short-term ambition but long-term commitment to player development, wellness, and professional standards.
In a football culture where many teams still train on subpar pitches and lack basic amenities, this level of investment is almost unheard of.
“Football has to be professional, from how players train to where they sleep and what they eat,” Sakupwanya told a local outlet. “If we want results, we must create an environment where performance is possible.”
This approach stands in stark contrast to the realities many local teams face. Delayed salaries, inconsistent management, and crumbling stadiums have become familiar issues. Yet Sakupwanya has made it a point to ensure that Scotland FC players are paid on time, properly equipped, and supported both on and off the pitch.
While others talk about football development, he is acting, and that action is beginning to set a new standard for what clubs in Zimbabwe can and should look like.
He’s not alone in trying to shift the football landscape. Prophet Walter Magaya, through his club Yadah FC, has also made strides in infrastructure development, investing in new stadiums and facilities. Though Yadah currently sits low on the log, Magaya’s efforts reflect a growing recognition: football cannot thrive without proper foundations.
One of the most significant elements of Sakupwanya’s football philosophy is his insistence on keeping politics out of the sport. He has openly discouraged fans from wearing political party regalia or chanting slogans at matches, stating that football should be a place of unity, not division.
“Football brings people together. We must protect that,” he has said in numerous interviews.
In a country where politics has often overshadowed sport, his stance is both refreshing and necessary. By focusing on merit, investment, and community, Sakupwanya is pushing for a more inclusive and professional football culture.
Zimbabwean football has a rich past. The “Dream Team” of the early 1990s gave the nation hope, pride, and a sense of global competitiveness. But in recent years, that legacy has faded under the weight of mismanagement and underinvestment.
Now, with new leadership at ZIFA and private individuals like Sakupwanya and Magaya stepping up, there is renewed optimism that the country’s footballing fortunes may be turning. The foundation is being laid, not only to develop talent and compete locally, but to build structures capable of producing players who can perform on continental and international stages.
It’s still early days, but there is a sense of movement. And movement, in a game that has stood still for too long, is a welcome sight.
Scott Sakupwanya may not be a footballer himself, but what he is building, with Scotland FC, with Ruwa, and with a vision that extends beyond headlines, may well be the beginning of Zimbabwe’s footballing resurgence.
