Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Munhumutapa Cup, whose draw for the lower tiers will be conducted today across the country, is likely to set the tone for a big week for ZIFA, culminating in the football mother body staging their highly anticipated congress during which they will discuss the journey travelled in the leadership’s first year in office.
The legacy tournament, which is now the biggest and most inclusive in the history of Zimbabwean football, was launched by President Mnangagwa last month.
ZIFA, who are pulling all the stops to ensure a fine debut tourney, yesterday announced that the draws will be conducted today for the preliminary rounds in the provinces, regions and area zones, with the matches expected to kick off this weekend across the country.
ZIFA competitions manager Kudzai Chitima outlined the competition’s framework, format, rules and regulations at a media conference that was also attended by his principals — association president Nqobile Magwizi, acting General Secretary Norman Gwangwadza, technical director Dominique Niyonzima and executive committee member Thomas Marambanyika.
Chitima said this competition will be played in a knock-out format, with clear qualification pathways for all competing teams.
“We are just saying teams are drawn, and the team that plays at home is the one that is drawn first, then the one that is defeated is eliminated, then we go to the next round. So, it will be a knock-out format, single elimination,” said Chitima.
“In terms of how we are going to be doing it, tomorrow (today) that’s when we will do the draws. We start with the regions. For example, we have four regions in Zimbabwe, Central, Eastern, Southern and Northern. Each has got different teams that they have.
“For Northern Region has got 22 teams, the Eastern 20, the Southern 18 and the Central 18. So, we’ll be using that format of knock-out and where the teams do not have an equal number, we’ll do a bye system, and it will be all through the drawing of lots so that it becomes fair.”
From the preliminary rounds, each Region is expected to produce four teams. They will be joined by 10 teams from the provinces (with each province providing one team) in the men’s competition.
This will make 26 teams for the second knock-out round. The short-list will be trimmed down to 14 teams (13 winners plus the best-placed runner-up), which will proceed to the third knock-out round, where they will be paired with the 18 Premier Soccer League sides in the round of 32, around June-July.
The tournament will then proceed to the round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and eventually the final. Winners will pocket US$1m and the ticket to represent Zimbabwe in the CAF Confederation Cup.
A similar process will be followed in women’s football.
The Munhumutapa Cup is a nationwide, annual knock-out competition that aims to foster development, competitive spirit and inclusivity across different levels of the sport.
Sponsored to the tune of US$25 million for the next five years, it is designed to fundamentally reset and modernise football development in Zimbabwe over the 2026-2030 cycle.
Magwizi emphasised the need for teamwork to achieve the goals.
“It needs every one of us to work together, to give input so that we build a strong football ecosystem that we can look back and be proud of as we go into the future,” said Magwizi.
“So, I’m very excited because this is a landmark development in terms of the processes from the launch, now we’re doing the update, then the draws, then the matches start.”
Magwizi also noted that the tournament will be preceded by the Congress, where the football parliament convenes this Friday to review the events of the last 15 months since he was elected ZIFA president.
“I think the team here is also looking to keep the week with the Congress that will be happening on Friday, which again allows members of Congress to review the work that has been done by ZIFA over the past year.
“Things that have been planned, things that were accomplished, and things that we intend to do going into the future. So, it’s a very important week,” said Magwizi.
The domestic football landscape is already bracing for the Munhumutapa Cup, billed to be the panacea to Zimbabwe’s football woes.
Over 1 000 teams from the lower divisions, Area Zones and the Premiership are expected to participate in men’s and women’s football, Futsal, Beach Soccer and junior football across the country.
Along with the BancABC Roots Impact Programme for junior football, the Munhumutapa Cup has set ZIFA on a transformative trajectory for domestic football.
The association’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Gwangwadza said the two competitions are key for football development.
“These two competitions form part of our broader strategy to strengthen domestic football and to enhance competitiveness in all our football structures,” said Gwangwadza.
“ZIFA remains committed to a structured development and professionalisation of football in Zimbabwe. The introduction of these two competitions is deliberate and meant to achieve a couple of objectives.
“Number one, to broaden participation across leagues, regions and provinces. Number two, to provide a competitive platform for talent identification and development.
“Number three, to strengthen football beyond the traditional league formats and to enhance stakeholder and commercial partner engagement.
“We are placing strong emphasis on governance, transparency and compliance in the organisations of these two programmes.
“As such, there will be clear rules, there will be clear eligibility criteria and there will be fairness and integrity throughout the tournaments.
“We are not viewing these tournaments or these programmes as mere tournaments but strategic vehicles to drive growth, visibility and long-term sustainability of football in the country.
