Munhumutapa Challenge Cup draw set for tomorrow

THE draw for the inaugural Munhumutapa Challenge Cup will be conducted in Harare on Monday, with 32 teams set to discover their opponents in Zimbabwe's richest domestic knockout football competition.

Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) acting chief executive officer Mike Madoda confirmed yesterday that preparations for the draw had been completed, with invitations already sent to participating clubs and affiliates.

The tournament will feature a mix of Premier Soccer League clubs and lower division teams from across the country, offering underdog sides a rare opportunity to compete against Zimbabwe's football giants.

The 32-team competition will comprise Premier Soccer League clubs, 10 provincial champions, four regional representatives and two Area Zone League teams.

It is expected that the bottom four Premier Soccer League clubs will first contest a play-off, with the two winners advancing to complete the final 32-team field.

The Munhumutapa Challenge Cup, now recognised as Zimbabwe's premier knockout competition, will also serve as the qualifying tournament for the country's representative in the 2027/28 CAF Confederation Cup.

The competition is the most lucrative domestic football tournament in Zimbabwe after securing sponsorship worth US$5 million annually over the next five years.

Its introduction has been widely welcomed within football circles, particularly by lower division clubs, who now have a realistic pathway to compete against top-flight opposition.

Among the teams celebrating qualification is Bulawayo provincial champions Mawabeni FC from Mzingwane District, who booked their place after defeating Extension Rollers 4-2 in a penalty shootout following last week's final.

The club received a morale boost yesterday when sponsor Priv Supermarket rewarded the entire squad with groceries and US$50 each in recognition of their achievement.

Club director Mpumelelo "Mbesuma" Nkomazana said qualification had put both the club and the Mzingwane community on the national football map.

"We are happy to see our sponsors chip in and celebrate our milestone achievement. We are proud to represent Mzingwane District and Mawabeni Area," he said.

"The boys have put our home on the map. People will Google and find out where we come from. We have marketed the Mzingwane brand and I hope wherever we are drawn to play, the fans that have been following us from the first match will accompany their team. So many Zimbabweans will know our home area because of this special class of football boys."

Mawabeni will be joined by fellow Matabeleland South representatives Nottingham Estate, who secured qualification after edging New Eclipse 1-0.

ZIFA Matabeleland South chairman Nkosilathi Ncube expressed confidence that the Beitbridge-based side would compete strongly regardless of the opponent they draw.

Meanwhile, Gwayi Valley Cranes also secured their place in the national draw after defeating Sunday Real Soccer 2-1 on Thursday.

Coached by Christel Dube, Gwayi Valley Cranes qualified as Southern Region Area Zone champions, while Sunday Real Soccer represented the Central Region Area Zone League led by former ZIFA chief executive officer Xolani Gwesela.

With top-flight clubs now entering the competition, Monday's draw is expected to generate considerable excitement as lower division teams wait to learn whether they will be paired against some of the country's biggest football names in what promises to be a historic edition of the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup.