Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
BY his own admission, legendary former Warriors, CAPS United and Black Rhinos midfield star Stanford “Stix” Mtizwa could perhaps have taken a different route without the exposure he got from playing in the ZIFA Cup.
Back in the 1970s, Mtizwa along with other young players of his generation who included the late David Mukahanana, were toiling with the idea of playing top-flight football.
But it was tight at the top.
He was then playing for a third division side Glens Strikers.
The idea was to sharpen up down there and make the baby steps to the top.
While patiently putting the grind before attempting to raise his hand with the big boys in the top-tier, the ZIFA Cup, still known as the Castle Cup, emerged.
“It was a competition that everyone, right from the social leagues was involved in,” recalls Mtizwa.
“So it happened that along the way, we were paired against Dynamos.
“Well, Glens Strikers against Dynamos? Everyone was in panic but very excited at the same time.”
That was the match that was to alter the course of Mtizwa and Mukahanana’s careers.
“Immediately, Dynamos inquired about a number of players after we had beaten them,” added Mtizwa.
“Eventually Mukahanana joined them. I couldn’t go because I was fully employed by Glens Strikers. But two years down the line, CAPS United signed me.”
That’s how important the ZIFA Cup was.
But for years, that kind excitement has been a pipe dream for many of the country’s young talent.
Talented unpolished players have been going down the drain due to a lack of exposure.
Some have simply walked away from the football fields for its lack of reward especially in the lower leagues, Area Zones and social arenas.
There was also no major competition to play for in the other facets of the game — Five-A-Side and Beach Soccer.
But that phase now belongs to the past as ZIFA have brought back the tournament, this time in a much bigger and better form.
ZIFA are later this month, expected to launch a jaw-dropping US$15 million Presidential Challenge Cup spread over the next five years.
Led by Nqobile Magwizi, who ascended to power on January 25 last year, the new ZIFA executive have been hard at work to restore stability and respectability to the country’s football mother body.
They have charmed the Government including the Head of State President Mnangagwa, some corporates and the general public alike with the thoroughness with which they are conducting their business.
Such is the sheer weight of their deeds that the biggest cup tournament to ever been played in this country will be bankrolled by the country’s first citizen, President Mnangagwa.
The game-changing contest will see over 500 teams from primary and secondary schools, area zones, lower divisions, 5-A-Side and Beach football for both genders in the spirit of leaving no one and no place behind.
Of the US$3 million yearly sponsorship, US$1,8 million will go towards the senior men’s competition with US$400 000 committed to the women’s section.
The junior cup will see a total of US$500 000 being poured while Beach Soccer and Futsal will get US$200 000 and US$100 000 respectively.
And stakeholders especially those in the provinces were among the first to join legend Mtizwa in welcoming the competition, even though it is yet to be officially unveiled.
ZIFA Mashonaland Central province chairman Edward “Dhara” Mutukwa said: “We can’t yearn for anything more than that.
“We have read in The Herald about the tournament, we know the newspaper doesn’t normally speculate. And what the tournament will mean to our region is super.
“We know we have gems down there which will be unearthed once the ball gets rolling. Also consider the economic activity that will accompany the competition. That will be massive to say the least.”
Northern Region Soccer League chairman Sweeny Mushonga is equally delighted.
“I don’t want to lie. This will be incredible for football. It’s a sign that as a country, we are now taking football seriously,” said Mushonga.
“I can imagine what that will do for not just the NRSL but to that boy who thought he had been neglected yet talented down in Dotito or Guruve.”
Harare Provincial chairman Robert Tembo was part of that Glens Strikers team together with Mtizwa and Mukahanana.
“Yes I was part of that team and I can confidently tell you that Mtizwa and Mukahanana, alongside others made their names through the older version of this competition,” said Tembo.
“I can imagine how many more kids can be discovered from the revamped tournament. Thank you to our Government and ZIFA.”
Mashonaland West province chairman Derick Matapuri and his Manicaland counterpart Kuziwa Nyabeze echoed the same sentiments.
The winners of this cup at the senior men’s team will represent Zimbabwe in the CAF Confederation Cup.
