Online Reporter
A new era dawns for Zimbabwe football this morning with President Mnangagwa set to officially launch the US$25million richer ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup in Harare.
President Mnangagwa is the principal sponsor.
The US$5million per year tournament could be the biggest in terms of both investment and inclusivity across the continent.
And it will see over 1000 teams across the men’s and women’s top-flight, lower division and Area Zone clubs taking part.
Beach soccer and 5-Aside have also been incorporated.
Thousands fill Celebration Centre for Munhumutapa Cup launch
The Celebration Centre auditorium is fast filling up as thousands snake in ahead of the historic ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup launch.
The jovial football fraternity from all corners of the country has converged for the epoch-changing event.
The air is filled with excitement as the hour draws nearer.
Warriors coach Marinica arrives
Warriors coach Marian “Mario” Marinica is in the house for the grand launch of the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup.
He is a well-travelled international coach who has been to the 2006 World Cup as a performance analyst with Paraguay but there is no doubting his excitement with the massive launch he is here for.
Warriors coach Marian “Mario” Marinica
Scottland CF technical team
President Mnangagwa arrives to huge cheers
President Mnangagwa has arrived at the Celebration Centre amid huge cheers from the capacity crowd.
He will officially launch the ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup in the coming moments.
This is no ordinary cup tournament.
It’s the mother of them all.
Biggest in Africa in terms of inclusivity.
Football clubs attentively gather, awaiting for details.
They will get to know in the coming moments.
Perm Sec Moyo takes to the podium
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Nicholas Moyo is delivering a welcome address, outlining how President Mnangagwa has created a conducive environment for sport to sprout.
He has reaffirmed the importance of football picking the game’s ability to break barriers and the coming in of the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup is more than significant.
ZIFA president Magwizi delivers his address
It’s this man that continues to take giant steps in trying to transform the football landscape in Zimbabwe.
It’s this man that has brought back trust in the institution called ZIFA.
He was only elected in January last year.
He explains how the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup came into being and its significance.
He has saluted President Mnangagwa for coming in to shift the trajectory of football in Zimbabwe.
FIFA boss salutes President Mnangagwa
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has endorsed the ZIFA Munhumutapa Cup in a clear show of the country’s game being on the world football map.
His video thanking President Mnangagwa and the football fraternity in Zimbabwe has just been showed on the huge screens in the auditorium.
“See you soon” were his parting words.
It’s a rubber stamp that what is unfolding right here is what the world of football also wants to see.
Sports Minister Machakaire ushers in President Mnangagwa
The Acting Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Tino Machakaire is dropping his speech right now.
It’s full of meaning.
Football, beautiful football should always win.
And the conductors are everyone.
He has saluted the stakeholders for driving this game.
And it’s time for him to introduce President Mnangagwa, who is the Guest of Honour, for him to take to the podium where he will deliver the keynote address.
The address that will unpack the ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup.
The address that will lay bare the intricate details of what will be the biggest football in scope across Africa.
The address that will usher us into a new football era.
The auditorium stands still. Stands up to give President Mnangagwa a standing ovation as he takes to the podium.
Here is the moment. Here is the time.
Your attention. Total attention.
Zimbabwe football will never be the same again.
I am a football supporter myself: President Mnangagwa
President Mnangagwa acknowledges that football is a universal language that transcends every barrier.
He says he supports the game, at every level as he goes through the initial part of his speech.
President Mnangagwa
He is on the podium, his keynote address in hand, launching the biggest football tournament in the country.
He takes his time as well to congratulate the Chevrons whose spirited showing at the T20 World Cup and he has also saluted the Mighty Warriors for their performance at the COSAFA Cup where they reached the semifinals in South Africa.
President Mnangagwa
It’s the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup launch unfolding.
President Mnangagwa confirms US$25million Munhumutapa Cup
It’s no longer hearsay.
The ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup will be sponsored to the tune of US$25million over the next five years.
President Mnangagwa
President Mnangagwa has just confirmed in his address.
President Mnangagwa officially launches the Munhumutapa Cup
It’s OFFICIAL.
President Mnangagwa has launched the ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup.
He has appended his legendary signature on the papers.
And now?
It’s in black and white.
Former Mighty Warriors captain Neshamba gives Vote of Thanks
President Mnangagwa is done.
The ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup is here.
We can feel it. The money is there. The cheque has been signed and delivered.
It’s all systems go.
Football clubs in attendance are excited.
Everyone is excited.
And now former Mighty Warriors skipper Rudo Neshamba delivers a heartwarming Vote of Thanks.
She knows the trenches.
She will be part of the participants, representing her team Chapungu Queens.
It’s game on as she takes her leave.
Launch is over, President Mnangagwa takes his leave
It was brief, simple yet immaculate.
And the ball literally gets rolling now.
