Scottland FC coach Norman Mapeza has described the 2026 Toyota Cup invitation to face Kaizer Chiefs as a reward for the massive work his club has put in since its formation in 2023.
The Zimbabwean moneybags are set to take on Chiefs in the 2026 Toyota Cup at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on Sunday, July 26, in what is the cup’s third edition. Previously, Amakhosi hosted Tanzanian giants Young Africans and Ghana’s Asante Kotoko.
With Chiefs recently returning from pre-season in Spain, the clash against Scottland FC should provide a big test ahead of the 2026/27 Betway Premiership campaign.
Chiefs have CAF Confederation Cup football to look forward to, while Scottland FC are preparing for their first-ever CAF Champions League appearance in the 2026/27 edition.
The match will also mark the return of former Chiefs trio Khama Billiat, Knowledge Musona, and Lincoln Zvasiya against their former team. Zvasiya, however, is now part of the technical team as a defender’s coach.
‘IT’S PROOF OF THE STANDARD WE ARE SETTING’ – NORMAN MAPEZA
Speaking to FARPost, coach Norman Mapeza said the Toyota Cup call-up is a reward for the massive work Scottland FC have put in as a club.
“It’s such an honour to get an invitation like this. Maybe it’s proof of the standard we have been setting and the way we have been doing things so far,” Mapeza told FARPost. “You never know what the future holds. Maybe next year it will be Highlanders FC. Maybe it will be Dynamos FC. The point is, the door is open. That, to me, shows the great work that we are doing as a team and as a community.
“I won’t lie, it’s a big reward [to play Chiefs]. The target feels a little bit far right now, but being invited means a lot to us in terms of measuring our progression as a team. But if there’s one thing I know, it’s that we want it more. And because we want it more, we will keep pushing until we get there.”
On Wednesday, Scottland FC beat Bulawayo Chiefs 2-1 at Rufaro Stadium to cement their place at the top of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League table with 52 points from 24 games. Walter Musona scored both goals to seal the win. Due to their participation in the Toyota Cup, they will miss their matchday 25 fixture against Dynamos.
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