TOP-FLIGHT coaches are expecting a tough challenge from each other, but they are eager to get going in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League 2026 season that gets underway early next month. Most of the coaches in charge of the top-flight teams are currently undergoing a CAF A Refresher Course, which was organised by ZIFA. ZIFA technical director and a CAF-certified instructor, Dominique Niyonzima is presiding over the course.
And the top coaches have praised ZIFA for bringing the course, more than five years after the last one was conducted by the late technical guru Nelson Matongorere. And they are hoping the refresher training will be the vitamins they will need to boost competitiveness in the league this year. Scottland coach Norman Mapeza, who is one of the 14 mentors to shift clubs in a busy transfer period hailed the ZIFA initiative and predicted an exciting season.
“It’s (ZIFA CAF A Refresher Course) very important. I think the last time we had a Refresher course was when the late Matongorere (Nelson) was still alive,” said Mapeza. “We had a good time.
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Now we have got the Technical Director from Burundi. “You know, it’s all about sharing ideas, myself, and the rest of the guys who are around here. “It has opened our minds as we are moving towards the beginning of the 2026 season.” Mapeza is fresh from his pre-season tour with the Premiership champions in South Africa where he also got a chance to assess his team in a friendly game against Eswatini giants Nzingizini Wanderers.
His side will open the season with a Castle Challenge final against Chibuku Super Cup winners Dynamos on March 1 at Rufaro. Speaking about the anticipated season excitement, the former FC Platinum coach said: “Look, I think you guys have been talking about it. I think it’s going to be an interesting season.
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