Dibula Matibula Top Four clash at White City

FOUR of the Southern Region’s strongest clubs will battle for early honours this weekend when the Dibula Matibula Top Four tournament kicks off at White City Stadium in Bulawayo.

The competition brings together teams that finished between second and fifth in last season’s Zifa Southern Region Soccer League campaign and serves as a curtain raiser to the 2026 season, which begins on March 21.

Saturday’s semi-finals will see Nkayi United take on Casmyn while Hwange face Bulawayo City. The winners meet in the final on Sunday.

The champions will take home US$2 000.
Zifa Southern Region chairman Chris Mtungwazi said the tournament was introduced to reward teams that performed well last season while giving supporters competitive football before the league programme begins.

“We felt it was important to introduce a competition that recognises teams that did well last season and also gives fans something to look forward to before the league starts,” said Mtungwazi.
“We want to raise the level of competition in the region and create more opportunities for clubs.”

Bulawayo Ward 24 Councillor Tavengwa Zidya, who attended the launch and is part of the tournament’s sponsorship team, welcomed the initiative and urged clubs to compete as professionals .

He challenged players to remain disciplined and focus on their careers while calling on the business community to support football development in the region.

Zifa Southern Region board member for administration, Tizirayi Luphahla, said the league hopes to make the tournament an annual event.

“We want teams to play more football and this tournament helps us do that,” said Luphahla.
“It also inspires clubs to work hard in order to finish among the top teams and qualify for the competition.”

The weekend matches will offer an early glimpse of the form and ambition clubs are bringing into the new Southern Region Soccer League season.