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Zimbabwe's Munhumutapa Cup becomes Africa's richest knockout tournament
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The Munhumutapa Challenge Cup has officially become the richest domestic football knockout tournament in Africa, with its US$1 million winner's prize also placing it among the 10 richest knockout competitions in the world.
The inaugural tournament reached the semi-final stage at the weekend, producing a series of dramatic matches and setting up lucrative clashes between Herentals College, Scottland, FC Hunters and FC Platinum.
FC Hunters were the first team to book their place in the last four after fighting back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with favourites CAPS United before winning the penalty shootout at Rufaro Stadium on Saturday.
On Sunday, Scottland and Herentals also prevailed on penalties against Bulawayo Chiefs and Hardrock respectively, while FC Platinum comfortably beat Central Region Soccer League leaders Blanket Mine 3-0 at Luveve.
The financial rewards have added another dimension to the competition.
The winners will receive US$1 million, while the runners-up will pocket US$400,000. The losing semi-finalists are guaranteed US$96,000 each.
The four remaining clubs have therefore already secured at least US$96,000 — a figure comparable to the prize money earned by the winners of some major domestic league competitions after an entire season.
The tournament has been sponsored by President Emmerson Mnangagwa and also offers the winners a place in next season's CAF Confederation Cup.
The prize structure has propelled the Munhumutapa Cup above all other domestic knockout competitions on the continent.
Before its launch, Zimbabwe's Chibuku Super Cup was the country's leading knockout competition, with its winners receiving US$75,000. That was below Eswatini's Ingwenyama Cup, which pays approximately US$81,000.
South Africa's MTN8 had previously offered the biggest knockout prize on the continent, with winners receiving about US$561,000.
The Munhumutapa Cup's US$1 million prize has now more than doubled that amount.
Egypt's Cup briefly offered a higher payout when Al Ahly received about US$950,000 for defeating Zamalek in a one-off final played in Saudi Arabia two years ago. Under its normal structure, however, the Egypt Cup winner receives about US$29,000.
Morocco's prestigious Throne Cup, meanwhile, pays approximately US$152,000 to its winners.
On the global stage, the US$1 million Munhumutapa prize places the tournament ninth among the world's richest domestic knockout competitions, according to the figures cited.
Only Brazil's Copa do Brasil, with a reported US$15.3 million winner's prize, Italy's Coppa Italia (US$8.15 million), Germany's DFB-Pokal (US$4.7 million), Saudi Arabia's King's Cup (US$2.66 million), England's FA Cup (US$2.55 million), the Leagues Cup (US$2 million), Spain's Copa del Rey (US$1.3 million) and Japan's Emperor's Cup offer higher winner's payouts.
The remaining teams are now just two matches away from a potentially life-changing payday.
Herentals College will face Scottland in the first semi-final, while FC Hunters will take on FC Platinum in the other.
Herentals coach Paul Benza was delighted after his side's victory over Hardrock.
"It's a satisfying feeling to secure progress into the Munhumutapa Cup semi-final," Benza said.
He acknowledged the difficulty of the match, saying his team expected to suffer but remained committed to its game plan.
"The early goal settled our nerves and we were very happy. We are now looking forward to the next round," he said.
Scottland coach Norman Mapeza is also preparing for what promises to be a high-profile semi-final against Herentals.
FC Hunters coach Nesbert Saruchera praised his players after their upset victory over CAPS United.
"I really want to appreciate the boys for the effort. This is a massive step towards the final and we will work as hard as we can to win it," he said.
With a US$1 million prize and continental football at stake, the Munhumutapa Cup has quickly transformed from a new domestic competition into one of the most financially significant knockout tournaments in world football.
The inaugural tournament reached the semi-final stage at the weekend, producing a series of dramatic matches and setting up lucrative clashes between Herentals College, Scottland, FC Hunters and FC Platinum.
FC Hunters were the first team to book their place in the last four after fighting back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with favourites CAPS United before winning the penalty shootout at Rufaro Stadium on Saturday.
On Sunday, Scottland and Herentals also prevailed on penalties against Bulawayo Chiefs and Hardrock respectively, while FC Platinum comfortably beat Central Region Soccer League leaders Blanket Mine 3-0 at Luveve.
The financial rewards have added another dimension to the competition.
The winners will receive US$1 million, while the runners-up will pocket US$400,000. The losing semi-finalists are guaranteed US$96,000 each.
The four remaining clubs have therefore already secured at least US$96,000 — a figure comparable to the prize money earned by the winners of some major domestic league competitions after an entire season.
The tournament has been sponsored by President Emmerson Mnangagwa and also offers the winners a place in next season's CAF Confederation Cup.
The prize structure has propelled the Munhumutapa Cup above all other domestic knockout competitions on the continent.
Before its launch, Zimbabwe's Chibuku Super Cup was the country's leading knockout competition, with its winners receiving US$75,000. That was below Eswatini's Ingwenyama Cup, which pays approximately US$81,000.
South Africa's MTN8 had previously offered the biggest knockout prize on the continent, with winners receiving about US$561,000.
The Munhumutapa Cup's US$1 million prize has now more than doubled that amount.
Egypt's Cup briefly offered a higher payout when Al Ahly received about US$950,000 for defeating Zamalek in a one-off final played in Saudi Arabia two years ago. Under its normal structure, however, the Egypt Cup winner receives about US$29,000.
Morocco's prestigious Throne Cup, meanwhile, pays approximately US$152,000 to its winners.
On the global stage, the US$1 million Munhumutapa prize places the tournament ninth among the world's richest domestic knockout competitions, according to the figures cited.
Only Brazil's Copa do Brasil, with a reported US$15.3 million winner's prize, Italy's Coppa Italia (US$8.15 million), Germany's DFB-Pokal (US$4.7 million), Saudi Arabia's King's Cup (US$2.66 million), England's FA Cup (US$2.55 million), the Leagues Cup (US$2 million), Spain's Copa del Rey (US$1.3 million) and Japan's Emperor's Cup offer higher winner's payouts.
The remaining teams are now just two matches away from a potentially life-changing payday.
Herentals College will face Scottland in the first semi-final, while FC Hunters will take on FC Platinum in the other.
Herentals coach Paul Benza was delighted after his side's victory over Hardrock.
"It's a satisfying feeling to secure progress into the Munhumutapa Cup semi-final," Benza said.
He acknowledged the difficulty of the match, saying his team expected to suffer but remained committed to its game plan.
"The early goal settled our nerves and we were very happy. We are now looking forward to the next round," he said.
Scottland coach Norman Mapeza is also preparing for what promises to be a high-profile semi-final against Herentals.
FC Hunters coach Nesbert Saruchera praised his players after their upset victory over CAPS United.
"I really want to appreciate the boys for the effort. This is a massive step towards the final and we will work as hard as we can to win it," he said.
With a US$1 million prize and continental football at stake, the Munhumutapa Cup has quickly transformed from a new domestic competition into one of the most financially significant knockout tournaments in world football.
Source - the herald
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