Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi and Monalisa John
THE inaugural Munhumutapa Challenge Cup is gaining momentum following yesterday’s draw, which set up an exciting final elimination round for lower-tier teams aiming to secure places alongside the top-flight clubs.
The draw, conducted in Harare, featured 28 teams that emerged from provincial, regional and area zone qualifiers, producing a slate of intriguing fixtures scheduled for the weekend of July 11–12.
At stake is progression to the next phase of the competition, where the 14 winners will be paired with the 18 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League teams in the round of 32.
The highlight of the fixtures pits former Premiership sides GreenFuel and Hwange in what promises to be a high-stakes contest, with both teams eager to reclaim their status on the big stage.
ZIFA Northern Region outfit Harare City face a tricky away assignment against Gwanda Pirates, while Harare Province champions Scottland Juniors square off against Mashonaland Central side Rosa Pirates.
MWOS Under-19 travel to former PSL side Chapungu in another promising encounter, while Buffaloes host Blanket Mine. Kwekwe United will be at home against Deportivo La Murambinda, with Rusape Pirates taking on Northern Region Division One side FC Oden.
In Matabeleland South, Nottingham Estates welcome Division 2 side Norton Big Boys, a side featuring a mix of retired and semi-retired professionals, who have impressed in the Mashonaland West qualifiers.
ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi said the tournament has already begun to reveal exciting talent across the country, with the tournament now taking a national format after the qualifying rounds.
The qualifying events were conducted in clusters nationwide, involving hundreds of teams and reinforcing the tournament’s grassroots appeal.
“We are seeing the amount of talent that is coming out of the different parts of Zimbabwe, and this talent means a lot to the future of Zimbabwean football,” said Magwizi.
“So, we’re very excited with the progress we’ve made thus far, and today, as you may be aware, it was a draw for the men’s competition.
“We were looking at all the teams from the area zones, the provinces, and the divisions, where we were drawing 28 teams.
“These 28 teams will play against each other so that we remain with 14. These 14 are the ones that will then go into another draw where they will be playing the 18 PSL teams in a round of 32.”
The tournament will follow a knock-out format progressing through the round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and eventually to the final of the tournament sponsored to the tune of US$5m this season by the government of Zimbabwe.
A similar competition structure is also being rolled out for women’s football.
The competition offers significant rewards, with the winners of the men’s competition guaranteed to pocket US$1 million and earn the right to represent Zimbabwe in the prestigious CAF Confederation Cup.
According to ZIFA, the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup aims to foster development, competitive spirit, and inclusivity across different levels of the sport.
“We are very excited with the amount of progress we’ve made thus far,” Magwizi said.
“We are excited about the support we’ve been getting from the government and His Excellence, the President of Zimbabwe.
“We are also very excited about the support that is coming from the different clubs, from area zones, from Division 2, in the provinces, and Division 1, in the regions, it’s very exciting.
“So, we’re looking forward to an exciting finale of this Munhumutapa Challenge Cup.”
Participating teams have welcomed the platform, viewing it as a rare chance to test themselves against higher-level opposition.
Kelvin Khumalo, the technical director for Aqua Stars of Southern Region, said he was looking forward to their clash with Bulawayo Province’s representatives, Mawabeni.
“I think the draw is a fair draw. We’ll be facing Mawabeni away, and it’s a tough fixture, I would say. But like in every other game, every match is a competition from the first whistle to the last minute. So, we look forward to going over to the next round,” said Khumalo.
Aqua Stars booked their place in the preliminary stage after victories over Herentals Victoria Falls and Imbizo.
Norton Big Boys’ representative Evans Gwekwerere expressed confidence in his team’s prospects following an unbeaten run in the qualifiers. They play Nottingham Estates of Beitbridge.
“We played five games, and we won all of them. Now we are facing a team from division one, and we are looking forward to facing a team from the PSL because I am confident we are going to win,” said Gwekwerere.
Munhumutapa Challenge Cup Preliminary Round
Fixtures: 11-12 July
Cheetahs v Chatidhege, Chapungu v MWOS U-19, Nottingham Estates v Norton Big Boys, Masvingo Winner v Black Rock, Kwekwe United v Deportivo La Murambinda, Rusape Pirates v FC Oden, Jordan FC v Destiny Stars, Bluestones v Chilli, Scottland Juniors v Rosa Pirates, Buffaloes v Blanket Mine, Mawabeni v Aqua Stars, Gwanda Pirates v Harare City, Gwayi Valley Cranes v Marere, Hwange v Green Fuel
