EXCLUSIVE: Kamwendo: ‘Musona & Billiat hyped Zimbabwe’s PSL’

Former Orlando Pirates FC’s Malawian playmaker Joseph Kamwendo has highlighted the impact of South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) greats Khama Billiat and Knowledge Musona on Zimbabwe’s domestic football.

The former Kaizer Chiefs stars laid their hands on the Castle Lager PSL title over the weekend after playing a pivotal role in Scottland FC’s ascension to the highest table of the Zimbabwean league.

🚨🚨FINAL 2025 PSL LOG TABLE ⚽️

This is how the 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League has ended after the final round of matches today.

Scottland champions with two games to go and finished on a winning note on Saturday.

Fellow newcomers, MWOS finish second and it becomes… pic.twitter.com/hbksTOMhxc

— Scottland Football Club (@ScottlandFC) November 23, 2025

Apart from being judged on scoring and creating goals, Kamwendo, who played in South Africa and Zimbabwe PSL and now works as academy coach for Harare-based CAPS United, added that Billiat and Musona’s influence was far beyond their club.

“They have brought the quality,” the former Pirates midfielder told Pan-Africa Football.

“You can never take anything away from these players. These are big-name players not only here in Zimbabwe, but Southern Africa in general. When you look at Khama, he played in South Africa for eight to nine years, and look at the teams he played for—[Mamelodi] Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs. Having them around, hyped the league and also brought a lot of quality.”

Why Musona and Billiat influence extended beyond the pitch

The former Flames star, who credits Zimbabwe’s CAPS United for elevating his football resume after winning the 2005 Zimbabwe Soccer Star-of- the-Year before signing for the Buccaneers, also compared the country’s football standards to 20 years ago.

The former Flames midfielder said in his playing days, the Zimbabwe league had a few well-sponsored clubs with big-name players compared to now.

“When you look at the playing personnel for most of the teams, you will find that they have international players; big-name players with some coming from Europe and abroad gracing the local league, so we can’t compare the standards of those days and now,” the ex-TP Mazembe star added.

“Most of the teams have sound sponsorships and very good squads. There is a lot of money involved in the game now. In those days, you would have only two teams. Now each and every club has a sponsor and that has brought a very big impact on the league.”

Signs of more Zimbabwe teams having strong financial muscle to compete with others were evident this season. Scottland FC, the rookies, buoyed by big-name signings, including ex-Pirates’ stars Terrence Dzvukamanja, ex-Polokwane City forwards Khuda Muyaba and Walter Musona, inspired Scottland to the league title.

Competition was so stiff that established Castle Lager PSL sides such as Highlanders FC, CAPS United, FC Dynamos and FC Platinum barely survived relegation.

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