Before the 2026 season started, fingers were pointing at Scottland as clear favourites for the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title but some of those fingers are now pointing elsewhere as reality begins to sink.
Although only four games have been played so far, events on the ground suggest that Mabviravira will have to produce something more astounding than they have done in the past in order to retain their title against opponents who have returned with renewed vigour.
Surely, the opposition of 2025 and the opposition of 2026 are completely different and Caps United, Simba Bhora, Ngezi Platinum and to a lesser extent Dynamos have been reinvigorated while Hardrock cannot be discounted.
Scottland has not changed much apart from bringing on board coach Norman Mapeza and the question is whether their collection of old guards will be able to stand their ground against emerging young and energetic players.
Moreso, Mabviravira will have to contend with hostile crowds across the country who have never liked this team since its emergence as a football force in 2024 while in the Northern Region Division One.
Although they will try to bus their own supporters but all those busloads count for nothing compared to the Dynamos supporters who will occupy the Vietnam and Mbare End stands when Scottland play Caps United.
Or the Caps United, Highlanders, and other small teams' supporters who will flock to Rufaro Stadium to rally behind Dembare when the two teams collide.
"Everywhere, everyone is taling about us. Bulawayo Chiefs want to beat us. Agama want to beat us. Dynamos want to beat us. Everyone wants to beat us," joked Scottland fan Richard "Chemhofela" Sandé.
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The great Chemhofela might have been joking, but the reality is that even small teams like Agama would feel happier to beat Scottland than they would in beating Dynamos.
Mabviravira, though, are well aware of the threat that stands in their way. With an impressive seven goals against one from four matches, and eight points, Scottland have started better than they did in 2025.
This time - last year - Scottland had lost a game, were in fourth place with seven points and had scored only four goals, conceded two yet today, they have a huge goal difference of six goals.
That aside. In 2025 Scottland were chasing the title against rookies Mwos, inconsistent TelOne, and unpredictable Simba Bhora, but the threat of recovered giants Caps United, refreshed Ngezi Platinum Stars, and foreign- player laden, Simba Bhora, should be a cause for worry for the Mabvuku based side.
From the four games which have been played so far, what is clearly evident is that Scottland are no longer outright favourites and this season - more than any - will be one of the most closely fought for the title.
What is also heartening is that fans are coming back to the stadiums having abandoned the game due to plummeting standards.
Have the standards improved ?
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