Innocent Kurira [email protected]
ZIFA Southern Region chairman Cris Mtungwazi believes his administration is steadily delivering on its promises, with Bulawayo Chiefs’ survival and Hwange’s return to the Premier Soccer League providing a major boost to the region’s football ambitions.
The 2027 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season will have four teams representing the Southern Region, a development that Mtungwazi says reflects one of the key targets set by his leadership having as many teams from the region as possible competing at the highest level.
Highlanders, Chicken Inn, Bulawayo Chiefs and Hwange will fly the region’s flag in the country’s top-flight competition next season.
For Mtungwazi, it is a development worth celebrating, particularly after a demanding campaign in which Chiefs had to fight until the closing stages to preserve their Premiership status.
Amakhosi secured their survival with a 2-0 victory over Hunters FC at Luveve Stadium, with second-half goals from Jimu Godswill Gwara and Panashe Shoko ensuring they will remain in the top flight.
Across town, Chicken Inn also contributed to an important afternoon for Bulawayo football, beating Agama FC 3-1 at Barbourfields Stadium to push the Northern Region side further down on the log.
Hwange’s achievement was equally significant, with the coal miners sealing automatic promotion after winning the 2026 Pacific Breeze Southern Region Soccer League title.
They finished the campaign on 76 points, four ahead of second-placed Talen Vision, to secure their return to the Premiership two seasons after relegation.
“It’s a very exciting development for us as a region. We are happy that Bulawayo Chiefs managed to survive relegation and that Hwange have secured promotion into the Premier Soccer League.
“These are the kind of developments we want to see because our goal has always been to have as many teams from the Southern Region as possible competing at the highest level,” said Mtungwazi.
Having four representatives in the Premiership gives the region a stronger presence in the country’s flagship football competition and creates opportunities for players, coaches, administrators and other football stakeholders.
“Having Highlanders, Chicken Inn, Bulawayo Chiefs and Hwange in the Premier Soccer League is a big achievement for the region.
“It gives us stronger representation and creates more opportunities for our players, coaches and football stakeholders. We want to keep growing those numbers,” he said.
The chairman believes the region’s progress should not only be measured by the number of teams in the top flight but also by the strength of its competitions and the ability to attract corporate investment.
One of the notable achievements during his administration has been securing a sponsorship partnership with Pacific Cigarette Company, which saw the regional competition rebranded as the Pacific Breeze Southern Region Soccer League.
The US$37 000 sponsorship package brought much-needed financial support to the regional game, with incentives for clubs, players and coaches, as well as prize money for the championship winners.
“Securing the Pacific sponsorship was another important achievement for us. We wanted to make our league more attractive, competitive and sustainable.
“Having a corporate partner coming on board gives us confidence that we are moving in the right direction,” said Mtungwazi.
The partnership was particularly important for a regional league that has often struggled to attract significant corporate backing.
For the Zifa Southern Region leadership, getting a sponsor on board was part of a wider strategy to improve the organisation and competitiveness of the league while creating a better environment for participating clubs.
Mtungwazi said the intention was to build a structure in which clubs could grow, attract support and compete for promotion without being overwhelmed by the demands of top-flight football.
“When we started, we had clear objectives for the region. We wanted to improve the quality of our competitions, attract sponsorship and see more teams making it into the Premier Soccer League.
“We are happy that we are making progress in those areas, although we know there is still a lot of work to be done,” he said.
The chairman is also conscious that promotion alone does not guarantee long-term success, with clubs needing proper administration, financial stability and competitive squads to survive in the Premiership.
“Our focus now is to consolidate these achievements. We don’t just want teams to gain promotion and struggle when they get to the top flight.
“We want them to be competitive, properly organised and capable of sustaining themselves in the Premier Soccer League,” he said.
