leeroyVeronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
WITH ZIFA set to unveil a new Mighty Warriors coach this afternoon, the ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup Round of 16 could have come at a better time.
The draw was conducted in the capital yesterday.
Sixteen women’s teams, who made it past the previous Round of 32, will battle against each other to reduce the race to eight teams in each category.
Scheduled to be played between August 28 and 30, the tournament also pits eight men’s fixtures and an equal number of Futsal games.
The games will be played just a week after the unveiling of a new women’s national team coach, whose maiden task will be to lead the Mighty Warriors to the Olympic Qualifiers, against Malawi, in October.
The women’s national team coach will be unveiled at the same time with the men’s coach with both set to be handed four-year contracts.
And the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup could provide a perfect platform for the coach to watch games and probably identify some players to be drafted into the team.
Scottland Queens and Young Mighty Warriors coach Lindiwe Ndlovu said the national tournament gives female footballers an opportunity to express themselves, develop confidence, and showcase their footballing talent.
“In this tournament, even players from Division Two got the opportunity to compete against and learn from their role models playing either in Division One or top-flight,” she said.
“As coaches, we need more tournaments like these.
“They bridge the gap between different levels of the game, create opportunities for young talent, and contribute to the development of Zimbabwean football. Olympic Qualifiers are coming and this is an opportunity for emerging stars to prove themselves and perhaps crack into the national teams.
“This is more than a tournament…it is beyond score lines and silverware but the creation of opportunities, developing players, and building the future of the game . . . It makes life easy for coaches.”
Four-time defenders Herentals Queens will play away at Scottland Queens, Chegutu Community Queens host Black Rhinos Queens while FC Platinum Royals welcome red-hot Correctional Queens.
Chapungu have a date against Mpopoma Sports Academy in Bulawayo.
However, Herentals find themselves in a complex situation as they are currently at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifier in Gaborone, Botswana.
The tournament kicks-off today, with the Zimbabwean side playing the opener against ZESCO Ndola Girls, at GU Stadium.
Kick-off is 12 noon.
If Herentals progress to the finals in the tournament, it means they will be in action on August 29, 2026. Yet the ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup plays on the same weekend, which might force the tournament organisers to postpone the fixture.
ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup Round of 16 Fixtures
Men: Ngezi Platinum Stars v Herentals; FC Platinum v Black Rock; Chilli FC v Bulawayo Chiefs; Jordan FC v Hardrock FC; FC Hunters vs Hwange; Triangle v Blanket Mine; CAPS United vs Manica Diamonds; Scottland v MWOS Under-19
Women: Las Palmas v Herentals Under-19; Hardrock Queens v Black Mamba’s Queens; Scottland Queens v Herentals Queens; Kwekwe v Harare City Queens; Maningi Queens v Faith Drive Academy; Chegutu Community Queens v Black Rhinos Queens; FC Platinum Royals v Correctional Queens; Chapungu Queens v Mpopoma Sports Academy
FUTSAL
Sunshine Stars v Kilworth Academy; Inkunzi Emnyama v FC Millennium; GD5 FC v Shibobo; TNS FC v Nedbank; Patricon FC v Amabhubesi Juniors; South Wanders v Mitchet Stars; Amabhubesi FC v Sobukazi Sports Academy; GoBoyz FC v 16 Views FC
Online Reporter