Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
THE Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) will conduct the Round of 32 draw for the inaugural Munhumutapa Challenge Cup in Harare this Wednesday, marking another key milestone in Zimbabwe’s richest domestic football competition.
Launched by President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa, the FA Cup-style tournament has brought together Premier Soccer League, lower division and grassroots clubs in a single national knockout competition.
Backed by a US$25 million sponsorship package over five years, the competition is the most lucrative in Zimbabwean football. The Men’s Senior Challenge Cup winners will receive US$1 million, with half of the prize money earmarked to support the club’s CAF Confederation Cup campaign.
The Round of 32 features all Premier Soccer League clubs alongside 14 lower division and grassroots teams, including Blanket Mine, Gwanda Pirates, Kwekwe United, FC Oden, Marere, Blackrock, Aqua Stars, Hwange, Jordan, Chilli FC, Norton Big Boys, Chatidhege and Scottland Academy.
The competition is designed to give clubs from every level of Zimbabwean football the opportunity to compete on the national stage.
It also forms part of ZIFA’s broader football development strategy, integrating men’s, women’s, beach soccer and junior competitions into one national football ecosystem.
Wednesday’s draw will determine the Round of 32 fixtures as clubs begin their pursuit of domestic silverware and a place in continental football.
Round of 32 teams
Blanket Mine (Central Region), Gwanda Pirates (Central Region), Kwekwe United (Central Region), FC Oden (Northern Region), Marere (Northern Region), MWOS U19 (Northern Region), Blackrock (Southern Region), Aqua Stars (Southern Region), Hwange (Southern Region), Jordan (Southern Region), Chilli FC (Midlands Province), Norton Big Boys (Mashonaland West Province), Chatidhege (Mashonaland East Province), Scottland Academy (Harare Province), Scottland, Hardrock, Dynamos, Ngezi Platinum, CAPS United, Herentals, Highlanders, Simba Bhora, FC Platinum, MWOS, Chicken Inn, Bulawayo Chiefs, ZPC Kariba, FC Hunters, Agama, TelOne, Manica Diamonds and Triangle.
