Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
THE proposal by the country’s football mother body – ZIFA – to expand the top flight league to 20 teams from the current 18 has been met with mixed reactions from key stakeholders of the game in Manicaland, with many seeing positives, but calling for transparency in its implementation.
ZIFA has proposed that the PSL increase its number of teams to 20 and introduce a National First Division.
In a letter to the PSL, ZIFA stated that the proposal aims to strengthen the national football ecosystem by creating a broader platform for player development, coaching exposure, and administrative experience.
ZIFA also informed the PSL of its intention to conduct wide-ranging consultations on the establishment of a National First Division, which will serve as the immediate feeder league to the PSL.
Currently, the country’s second tier is made up of four regional Division One leagues overseen by ZIFA.
The proposed NFD will merge these regional championships into a single national competition.
This is not the first time such a proposal has been made.
ZIFA, under Phillip Chiyangwa’s administration, first mooted the idea in 2017 when the PSL was expanded to 18 teams.
A second attempt was made under Felton Kamambo’s leadership, but it did not materialise.
However, the issue has ignited widespread debate with divergent views being expressed by football enthusiasts.
Post Sport went out to solicit views from followers of the game.
A true friend of the game of football, who has helped many players who trace their roots to Mutare, James Lunga Meya, alias Hwetu, said: “We acknowledge the proposal to expand the PSL from 18 to 20 teams, as well as the initiative to restructure the current Division One system into a single national league.
“We recognise that these proposals are driven by the objective of stimulating growth, broadening participation, and strengthening football development across the country.
“I personally support any effort aimed at increasing competitive opportunities and broadening the talent pool within Zimbabwean football. An expanded league could increase exposure for emerging clubs, create additional regional representation, and contribute to the growth of supporter bases and football culture nationwide.
“However, this expansion must be underpinned by clear readiness criteria. Clubs admitted into the top-flight must demonstrate adequate financial sustainability, administrative capacity and compliance with club licensing and facility standards. Without these assurances, the league risks diluting competition quality, increasing operational strain, and compromising the professional integrity of the PSL.
“Therefore, expansion should only proceed where proper assessment and regulatory guidelines are fully applied. Proposal for a single National Division One League presents long-term potential to enhance competition standards, consistency in talent development, and league branding,” said Lunga.
He said it is important to recognise the significant financial and logistical implications of national travel and operations for Division One clubs.
“Many teams currently rely on local sponsorships and limited budgets, and a sudden shift to a national system may result in financial distress, exclusion of smaller community-based clubs, and unintended weakening of grassroots structures.
“For this reason, we recommend a phased and consultative approach, which may include, maintaining the current regional structure while strengthening governance and sponsorship frameworks, or transitioning first to a reduced two-region system before evolving to a single national league once financial and logistical support has been secured.
“The success of these proposals will depend, not only on ambition, but on careful implementation guided by sustainability, fairness, and long-term development priorities.”
Another true friend of the game, Frank Bhunu, with a visible personal interest to Division One football, especially in the Pacific Storm Eastern Region, where he has become its de facto publicist, said: “National First Division introduction will mark the death of community teams. This is simply because the travel, accommodation, player bonuses budget will skyrocket. This will be a preserve of well financed teams owned by the rich only.”
Long Serving Pacific Storm Eastern Region side, Buffaloes administration committee member, Aaron Dzvete, said: “The expansion, if not subjective, is noble in as much as is the NFD. It is merely a dress rehearsal that measures if one has the capacity. It might be painful, but there are merits in the end.
“When four teams automatically qualify, check year-in year-out, how close the D1 race is. Personally, in a way, I feel it is qualitative since it is not for chancers as clubs must have a strong balance sheet that last for years.
“Unfortunately my team may be affected, but it is what it is, and so be it. We will go back to the drawing board. The question what will we do in PSL if we do not have resources?
“The sponsorship first card is out of question. Eastern Region for years we played without sponsorship. Clubs and administrators even commentators must never hold ZIFA at ransom.”
