Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Munhumutapa Cup, whose draw for the lower tiers will be conducted today across the country, is likely to set the tone for a big week for the ZIFA bosses.
The week will end with the holding of the long-awaited Congress to take stock of the journey travelled in the past one year.
The tournament, which is the biggest and most inclusive in the history of Zimbabwean football, was launched by President Mnangagwa last month.
ZIFA yesterday announced the draws will be conducted today for the preliminary rounds in the provinces, regions and area zones.
The matches are expected to get underway this weekend across the country.
The association’s competitions manager, Kudzai Chitima, yesterday outlined the competition’s framework, format, rules and regulations at a press conference. The conference was also attended by ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi, acting CEO Norman Gwangwadza, Technical Director Dominique Niyonzima and executive committee member Thomas Marambanyika.
“We start with the regions. For example, we have four regions in Zimbabwe, Central, Eastern, Southern and Northern. Each has got different teams that they have. I’ll give an example of the Northern Region, it has got 22 teams, Eastern has 20, Southern 18 and Central 18.
“So, we’ll be using that format of knockout and where the teams do not have an equal number, we’ll do a bye system and it will be all through the drawing of lots so that it becomes fair.”
From the preliminary rounds, each Region is expected to produce four teams.
They will be joined by 10 teams from the provinces (with each province providing one team) in the men’s competition.
This will make 26 teams for the second knockout round. The shortlist will be trimmed down to 14 teams (13 winners plus the best placed runner-up) which will proceed to the third knockout round, where they will be paired with the 18 Premier Soccer League sides in the round of 32, around June-July.
The tournament will then proceed to the round of 16, quarterfinals, semi-finals and eventually the final. Winners will pocket US$1m and the ticket to represent Zimbabwe in the CAF Confederation Cup. A similar process will be followed in women’s football.
Magwizi said: “It needs every one of us to work together, to give input so that we build a strong football ecosystem that we can look back and be proud of as we go into the future.
“I’m very excited because this is a landmark development in terms of the processes from the launch, now we’re doing the update, then the draws, then the matches start.”
Magwizi also noted that the tournament will be preceded by the Congress.
“Things that have been planned, things that were accomplished, and things that we intend to do going into the future.
“So, it’s a very important week,” said Magwizi.
Gwangwadza said:
“ZIFA remains committed to a structured development and professionalisation of football in Zimbabwe. The introduction of these two competitions is deliberate and meant to achieve a couple of objectives. Number one, to broaden participation across leagues, regions and provinces.
“Number two, to provide a competitive platform for talent identification and development.
“Number three, to strengthen football beyond the traditional league formats and to enhance stakeholder and commercial partner engagement.”
