Zimbabwe’s flagship knockout football competition, the ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup is set to kick off in May, with the tournament draw scheduled for next month. The competition will feature teams from the lower leagues up to the Premier Soccer League, following a format inspired by England’s FA Cup.
Speaking at the strategic meeting yesterday, Acting CEO of ZIFA, Norman Gwangwadza, said preparations were underway to ensure the programme aligns smoothly with ongoing fixtures across the PSL, regional leagues, and provincial leagues.
“We expect to begin most of the programmes in April. The purpose of this meeting is to finalise these plans. Since we are operating within PSL, regional, and provincial fixtures, we must ensure there are no scheduling conflicts,” he said.
Football administrators have praised the inclusive consultation process, noting that input from officials across all tiers of the game is essential.
“These programmes are critical for football. As administrators, we are pleased to be involved because we are the ones who run football on the ground,” said ZIFA Eastern Region administrator Fungai Munyoro.
Ropafadzo Norman Matemavi, the national head of football for NASH, added that development should be driven from the grassroots upward.
“The top-to-bottom approach has been proven ineffective globally. Football succeeds when the people on the ground are involved. We commend ZIFA for recognising that it is the junior players who will lift Zimbabwean football,” he said.
In addition to the Munhumutapa Cup, ZIFA has unveiled plans for a nationwide junior league aimed at strengthening grassroots football and creating clear pathways from school-level competitions to national representation. The programme, which will cater to both boys and girls, is expected to deliver hundreds of matches each season and promote talent identification based on merit.
According to Shaffine Tokoda Machaya, representing the SRC, the tournament will have wide participation.
“The cup is designed to promote development, enhance competitiveness, and open avenues for talent discovery. Over 1 000 teams from men’s and women’s leagues, lower divisions, and Area Zone clubs will take part, making it a truly national event,” he said.
Backed by a US$25 million Government investment, the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup aims to revive the spirit of national knockout football, replacing the long-defunct Unity Cup, which last ran in 2007. Organisers expect the competition to significantly reshape Zimbabwean football over the next five years by allowing clubs at every level to compete on the national stage.
