Top eight tournament for Central Region

Patrick Hill

A Zifa Central Region Top Eight Tournament will be introduced this year, with qualifying teams determined by log standings at the halfway stage of the 2026 season.

The development was announced yesterday by Central Region chairman Patrick Hill, who welcomed a US$16 000 sponsorship package from GMI Investments and said the region hopes the support will increase in 2027.

Hill, who was retained as Zifa Central Region chairman at the end of last year, painted an optimistic picture for 2026, saying improved organisation and stronger support structures were expected to define the season.

“We have managed to strike a sponsorship deal for the Super 8, all the teams will participate from the first game of the league. At the end of the first half matches of the season, we will consider log standings to determine who will play from quarter-finals, semi-finals and then final,” said Hill.

Hill revealed that the region held its annual general meeting in accordance with the constitution in Zvishavane on February 15, where the Super 8 sponsorship deal was finalised.

He said a series of training programmes had been lined up for 2026 to improve standards across the division. Clubs will undergo training on online registration of teams and players in line with Fifa and club licensing requirements.

“A number of courses will be conducted during the course of the year with the Zifa Connect and Safe guarding workshops among the first,” said Hill.

Safeguarding has become a key issue in sport, with the protection of girls and other vulnerable groups now a central component of football administration and governance.

The Central Soccer League, which covers Matabeleland South and the Midlands, has already begun ground inspections, which started on Monday and will run until March 6.

Hill said clubs had been asked to submit two preferred venues — a primary and an alternative — for assessment.

He said commissioners from Matabeleland South and the Midlands, together with the secretariat, would conduct the inspections to ensure fairness and uphold standards.

“We do not want to get complaints from clubs over the state of fields when the league is under way, that some teams are being favoured because of substandard facilities. We have to make sure we have standard playing fields,” said the veteran administrator.

He added that club licensing regulations presented an early challenge when Zifa announced updated requirements for technical benches. Holders of Caf B licences are now required to sit on the bench, supported by Caf C licence holders.

“It is a requirement that came when clubs had already signed on their coaches for the year, we urge clubs to have people with Caf C so that when opportunities arise for Caf B they apply,” said Hill.

Hill also disclosed that the AGM resolved the league would consist of 18 teams for the 2026 season.

The newly elected board members will undergo an induction course, with the main Zifa body expected to assign a facilitator. Team medics and club administrators are also set to participate in dedicated training sessions.

Hill announced that there will be an awards night at the end of the season, with individual player awards introduced from the beginning of the campaign.

He encouraged teams to fight for promotion on merit and to compete fiercely for the sole ticket into the Premiership.