Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Premier Soccer League’s dramatic attempt to rewrite the rules has been crushed. Relegation is back, four clubs will fall, and Fifa has pulled the plug on a plan that threw the entire game into confusion.
Zifa confirmed the decision late last night after Fifa rejected the proposal to expand the top flight to 20 clubs in 2026.
It ends a chaotic 48 hours in which the PSL first pushed through a motion to halt relegation next year, expand to 22 teams, then trim back to 20 in 2027.
The move stunned the football public. Many saw it as a desperate and clumsy attempt to shield underperforming giants Dynamos and Highlanders, who head into Sunday’s fixtures in real danger of going down if they lose to FC Platinum and Chicken Inn.
Zifa, already fighting to rebuild trust since Nqobile Magwizi’s executive took office on January 25, had asked the League last week to explore the expansion. The PSL responded by rushing into an extraordinary general meeting to pass the motion.
By yesterday afternoon, the League announced it had adopted the proposal.
The story changed again hours later when Zifa received direct communication from Fifa.
A source at Zifa said last night that the world body had dismissed the idea outright, ending any talk of a 20-team top flight.
“Fifa has just shot down the idea. A statement will be released at some stage tonight to that effect by the national association once Rodwell Thabe, the PSL chief executive officer, has been advised of the latest communication from Fifa,” said the source.
Moments later, Zifa released a statement confirming the League’s expansion plan “cannot be implemented,” although the association avoided publicly stating that the rejection had come from Fifa.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) wishes to advise the football community, stakeholders, media and the nation regarding the promotion and relegation framework for the 2026 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.
“Zifa has taken note of communication from the Premier Soccer League dated 18 November 2025, indicating a resolution from its Extra Ordinary General Meeting proposing that no teams be relegated at the end of the season and that the League’s membership be expanded to 22 clubs.
“The Association wishes to make it clear that this proposal cannot be implemented. Promotion and relegation are fundamental components of football competition and are essential to maintaining the integrity, fairness and sporting merit of the league system,” said Zifa.
The association then confirmed that four teams will be relegated on Sunday, with Kwekwe United already gone.
In a complete reversal from the position Zifa itself had floated last week, the association added, “Should the Premier Soccer League or any other member wish to propose an adjustment to the number of participating teams, or propose any other resolution, such a request must be formally submitted to the Association in accordance with Zifa Statutes.
The proposal will then be tabled for consideration at the next Zifa Congress.”
It leaves the League exposed and embarrassed after pushing through a motion that collapsed within hours, dragging the game into unnecessary turmoil at the most critical stage of the season.
