Zifa Cup hangs in the balance

THE re-launch of the Zifa Cup hangs in the balance as the football mother body is struggling to clinch a sponsorship deal for the knockout tournament.

Zifa indicated last year they want to see the return of the premium cup competition that will involve 64 teams from different tier leagues beginning from the lowest divisions.

However, lack of funding halted the return of the tournament last year and it was hoped it would make a return this year with football's governing authority having secured funding.

Zifa chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze said they are still waiting for a response from prospective sponsors they have engaged to fund the knockout competition.

He said they are in talks with an international company that has expressed firm interest in funding the cup contest.

Mashingaidze said he met with the local representatives of the company last week, who indicated that a decision is imminent.

He expressed confidence an agreement will be reached with the entity, however, time is not on Zifa's side as PSL teams are now engaged in the BancABC Sup8r, league and the Mbada Diamonds Cup could soon be coming aboard.

"Time is not on our side and we want to be able to launch the cup and hold a draw for the tourney in early July. We had alerted the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League about the tourney and asked them to consider it in coming up with their fixtures.

"We would want to see the tourney having kicked off by the end of July and the final being held by 30 November," he said.

Mashingaidze said the Zifa Cup will now see 32 teams taking part and not 64 as initially suggested last year.