Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda and Cutworth Masango
DESCRIBED by FIFA president Gianni Infantino as a momentous occasion for Zimbabwean football, the ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup launch attracted football’s aristocracy at the Celebration Centre in Borrowdale yesterday.
The aptly named venue was also the place where President Mnangagwa, the guest of honour, pledged his support for local football development.
The US$25 million ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup will be run along the same lines as the English FA Cup, benefitting teams from grassroots level.
Notably, the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup will include junior girls and boys, as well as beach and futsal versions of the game.
The football fraternity was well represented.
ZIFA provincial chairmen were all present.
Premier Soccer League club leaders also attended.
Women’s football leaders, former footballers, coaches and active players also attended the landmark event.
“This tournament is very important. We as football leaders applaud His Excellency for launching this Cup, we thank him for reviving the ZIFA Cup which will spread to all the corners of the country.
“This will have a significant impact on the development of football in the country,” said Chris Mtungwazi, ZIFA Southern Region chairman. Zimbabwe Women’s Premier Soccer League vice-chairperson, Lewis Muzhara, was excited by the inclusion of women in the new Munhumutapa Challenge Cup.
Previous ZIFA Cups only catered for men’s teams.
“We are very happy as the leaders of women’s football seeing this initiative come from the government.
“It is an initiative that we have been waiting for all these years. As a new committee that was voted into office last year we receive this with open hands.
“It’s now upon the clubs, players, coaches and administrators to make sure this becomes a very exciting tournament,” said Muzhara.
For former national team striker Edward “Duduza” Sadomba, the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup is a game changer.
“It’s a fresh opportunity for talented players to showcase their skills and earn a living through football.
“I was born and bred in Mbare, we were not that rich but football improved my life,” said Sadomba, a former top goal scorer in both the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cups.
“What’s good about the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup is that it involves all teams from area zones right up to the PSL.
“Who knows, maybe the country can discover hidden talent through this Cup,” said Sadomba, a former Al Hilal star player.
Junior football development guru, Walter Musanhu, feels the Munhumutapa Cup launch dovetails with Zimbabwe’s bid to qualify for the 2034 World Cup.
“Things are taking shape, and President Mnangagwa has taken the front row seat. Everything that is led by the father is proper.
“But my wish is that the US$5 million is put to good use.
“I also want to thank ZIFA president Magwizi, he has done well, so far so good. We can see the results now, he has also been supporting our project at Jadel,” said Musanhu of Jadel Football Academy. Premier Soccer League clubs who play a key role in junior football development like FC Platinum and Chicken Inn see the Cup as an opportunity to scout talent.
“This Cup is very important to the development of football especially for teams like us who come from districts such as Zvishavane.
“We welcome this initiative because it will help us expose talent and give us a pool where we can select players,” FC Platinum chairman, Benson Wirimayi, said.
dyton mupawaenda