Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere, Sports Reporter
THE countdown to the 2026 Munhumutapa Challenge Cup Five-A-Side tournament has begun, with Bulawayo’s Fifa Hope Centre in Gwabalanda set to host an exciting weekend of futsal action on 13 to 14 June.
A total of 19 matches have been lined up for the two-day tournament, which will feature teams from the Premier Division, Division One men’s league and the women’s category, underlining the continued growth of futsal in the City of Kings and Queens.
“The competition is expected to attract some of the region’s top futsal talent, with clubs eager to make a strong statement in one of Zimbabwe’s fast-growing football disciplines,” said Fustal national chairperson Philani Banda.
Proceedings will get underway next Saturday morning with a Southern Region Division One preliminary clash between TNS Juniors and Inkunzi Emnyama at 9am. Women’s teams will then take centre stage as Victor Queens square off against Filabusi Queens before TNS Rovers Ladies battle Street Set.
The men’s Division One category will see Amabhubesi Juniors face Fox Juniors, while Premier Division sides TNS Rovers FC and Academic Stars lock horns in what promises to be one of the standout encounters of the opening day. Another eagerly anticipated fixture will see Go-Boyz FC take on Fox FC later in the afternoon. Action resumes on Sunday with another packed programme. Nedbank FC will open the day’s fixtures against Young Stars before GD5 FC face Sobus’a in a potentially explosive contest. Women’s football will once again take centre stage as Southwonder Queens meet Mictech Stars, while GD5 Princess square off against Nust FC.
The Premier Division category will also feature Mictech Stars against Nust FC and Southwonder FC against FC Millennium as clubs battle for progression in the knockout competition. Division One teams GD5 Juniors and Combined Stars will also be in action.
The tournament’s final fixtures on Sunday will see Amabhubesi FC take on Elite Institute before Southwonder Juniors and Sobus’a Juniors conclude the opening round programme.
With participation spanning multiple divisions and both genders, organisers believe the tournament will not only provide thrilling entertainment but also serve as an important platform for talent identification and development. All matches will be played at the Fifa Hope Centre in Gwabalanda, with vetting and the national anthem scheduled before the start of play on both days.
Fixtures
Saturday, June 13
TNS Juniors vs Inkunzi Emnyama (9am)
Victor Queens vs Filabusi Queens (10am)
TNS Rovers Ladies vs Street Set (11am)
Amabhubesi Juniors vs Fox Juniors (12pm)
TNS Rovers FC vs Academic Stars (1pm)
Go-Boyz FC vs Fox FC (2pm)
Sunday, June 14
Nedbank FC vs Young Stars (9am)
GD5 FC vs Sobus’a (10am)
Southwonder Queens vs Mictech Stars (10:50am)
Mictech Stars vs Nust FC (11am)
GD5 Princess vs Nust FC (12pm)
Southwonder FC vs FC Millennium (1pm)
GD5 Juniors vs Combined Stars (2pm)
Amabhubesi FC vs Elite Institute (3pm)
Southwonder Juniors vs Sobus’a Juniors (4pm)
