HARARE – Scottland Football Club is leaving no stone unturned in its bid for promotion to the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League (PSL). Club president, Scott Sakupwanya, has announced a series of lucrative match-day incentives for his players, culminating in a US$10,000 bonus per player should they secure the ZIFA Northern Region Soccer League (NRSL) title.
With four crucial matches remaining in the season, Sakupwanya has outlined a tiered incentive scheme designed to motivate his team to victory. Yesterday, he personally delivered US$1,500 to each player, reflecting their recent successes. This payment covers their last three wins, with an additional US$1,000 bonus awarded for their impressive 7-0 victory over relegation-threatened Norton Community at Rufaro Stadium last week. Two other matches, where no specific incentive was offered, saw players receive US$250 each.
The upcoming match against DZ Royals Stars at Rufaro Stadium tomorrow carries a significant reward. Sakupwanya has pledged a US$1,500 winning bonus for each player, with an additional US$200 awarded for every goal scored. “That means if we win 5-0 on Wednesday, each player will earn US$2,500 and so on, so the more goals scored, the more money in the players’ pockets,” Sakupwanya explained during a team address yesterday.
Addressing his players, Sakupwanya emphasized the importance of securing the NRSL title in their first attempt. “I am pledging US$10,000 for each player if we make it to the Premier Soccer League,” he declared.
He clarified that the incentives are structured on a match-by-match basis, suggesting that the rewards for subsequent games may differ.
“The incentives are on a match-by-match basis, meaning it might be a different package for the game that comes after this one on Wednesday,” he stated.
Sakupwanya’s strategy is clearly focused on scoring goals to secure promotion.
“We need goals if we are to gain promotion into the Premier League and that’s why in the game against Norton Community I went to the players and pledged US$1000 for a big win, which we got,” he explained.
The remaining fixtures for Scottland are all in Harare: away matches against DZ Royals and Harare City, followed by home matches against Herentals Under-20 and Black Mambas.
The club’s ambitious incentive programme has been well-received by both the coaching staff and the players.
Coach Genesis Mangombe acknowledged the significant challenge presented by the president’s generous offer, viewing it as a powerful motivator for the team to perform at their best and reap the rewards of their hard work.
Captain Lincoln Zvasiya echoed this sentiment, pledging the team’s unwavering commitment to securing the sole Premiership ticket. “We will give it our all,” he affirmed.
Meanwhile, their main rivals, MWOS, face a challenging end to the season with an away match against Black Mambas, followed by three consecutive home matches against CCLEE Mhangura, Norton Community, and Agama.
The final stretch of the NRSL season promises to be a thrilling contest, with Scottland’s financial incentives adding an extra layer of intrigue to the race for promotion.
