Zimbabwean PSL clubs still do not score enough goals, and this is a cause for concern: 2025 in retrospect

TAWANDA CHARI 

There is nothing more important in football than goals. That is literally the crux of the game. And yet, in the Zimbabwe Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, goals themselves are pretty rare. Less than two are scored in the average Zimbabwe PSL match. It is understandable that scoring goals is rather difficult, as it takes a whole slew of skills that most players just don’t have. But even then, the best goal scorers still miss roughly three out of every four of their chances. And we don't even create that many. The dearth of goals: that is the bane of Zimbabwean football. 

Scottland Fc were crowned champions last year after scoring a paltry 47 goals the entire season, highlighting the perennial problem of low scoring in Zimbabwe's domestic football. 

For all that difficulty, goals remain the currency of the game. That is just a reality that can never be wished away; and one you would hope the coaches and players realize with the utmost pressing urgency. Goals decide matches, define seasons, and ultimately crown champions. Which is why, when we zoom into our own league, the numbers begin to tell a story that feels … a bit concerning. Or maybe overwhelmingly concerning. 

The 2025 season produced 533 goals across 306 matches (18 teams, 34 games each). That gives us 1.74 goals per game. And that figure is significantly below the already modest global average.

Champions: Efficient, not explosive

Last season, Scottland FC won the 2025 title scoring 47 goals in 34 games, which translates to 1.38 goals per game. Put into local context, that’s actually a decent return—especially when paired with a defensive record of just 20 goals conceded. It also says a lot about the attacking ceiling of the league.

Updated champions scoring list

• 2025: Scottland FC – 47 goals

• 2024: Simba Bhora – 39 goals

• 2023: Ngezi Platinum Stars – 45 goals

• 2021–22: FC Platinum – 55 goals (Transitional season)

• 2019: FC Platinum – 34 goals

• 2018: FC Platinum – 52 goals

• 2017: FC Platinum – 40 goals

• 2016: CAPS United – 42 goals

• 2015: Chicken Inn – 45 goals

• 2014: Dynamos – 34 goals

A pattern that refuses to change

Year after year, the trend is consistent: champions rarely break past 50 goals; several title winning teams sit in the 30s and low 40s; and defensive solidity is prioritized over attacking quality. (To be fair, it works.) And at the end of the day, it doesn't matter how you win. Every team wants the three points, even if it means through a harrowing display of the infamous "haram football". 

While goals are difficult to score as acknowledged earlier, the gap between difficulty and output feels too wide.

Leagues grow on moments, excitement, unpredictability, and all of these elements are entirely dependent on goals being scored. Right now, there is still leaning heavily on caution. And that also feeds into the national teams we build.

There’s an understanding here. Scoring goals is hard. It always has been.

But if the best teams in the country are winning titles with 40–47 goals across an entire season, then it’s not just about difficulty anymore. And until that shifts, tactically, technically, even philosophicall, we still have a long way to go.

Clearly, the lack of goals means our football still leaves a lot to be desired. Whether or not this will change remains to be seen. All we know is that for now, we endure. We endure the low-scoring affairs week in, week out.