THE epic final day relegation melee is dramatically back on!
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has cleared the air of confusion surrounding relegation in a highly anticipated internal memo distributed to clubs yesterday, reversing a controversial decision by the PSL Board of Governors.
It has been a tumultuous week of drama, ignited when the football mother body wrote to clubs urging them to consider increasing the number of teams from the current 18 to 20 starting next season.
Seizing the moment, the PSL Board of Governors held an extraordinary general meeting, where they voted to do away with relegation entirely this season, accept four promoted teams, run a 22-team league next season and then relegate six teams at the end of the 2026 campaign.
However, that resolution was emphatically dismissed by Zifa, the football association, who immediately demanded that standard relegation procedure be followed.
PSL chief executive officer Rodwell Thabe has now written to clubs announcing, with immediate effect, that the battle for survival is firmly back on.
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The league had been enjoying one of the fiercest relegation battles in recent years, with a staggering eight teams looking to make a final day escape.
Only one club, Kwekwe United, has already been mathematically relegated.
With three more teams set to join them on a devastating Sunday, the suspense is palpable.
Tenth-placed Highlanders (38 points) and 17th-placed Yadah FC (35 points) headline the clubs praying for a final-day miracle.
The communication was delivered in an internal memorandum from the CEO to the PSL Board of Governors, extensively detailing Zifa’s position and the league’s immediate next steps.
“This serves to inform you that the Premier Soccer League wrote to the Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) informing them of the resolutions passed at the Premier Soccer League’s (PSL) extraordinary general meeting held on November 18, 2025,” Thabe told clubs.
“The PSL officially communicated its resolutions specifically the proposal to increase the number of participating teams and the suspension of relegation for the 2025 season, along with a request for guidance on the implementation process.
“Zifa responded via a letter dated November 18, 2025, formally rejecting the PSL’s position. Zifa’s directive stated the following: 1. Four clubs must be relegated at the conclusion of the current Castle Premier Soccer League season, which ends on November 23, 2025.
“2. Any proposal to increase the number of participating teams, or any other related resolution must be submitted to Zifa annual general meeting congress in 2026 for formal consideration.
“The position outlined by Zifa is now effective and immediately binding. For the avoidance of doubt and to ensure adherence to Zifa’s ruling, the Premier Soccer League will proceed with the relegation of four teams at the conclusion of the 2025 season. Deliberations between the two institutions to seek an amicable, long-term resolution on the matter will continue.”
The entire bottom half of the table is now a treacherous minefield, with multiple simultaneous clashes determining destinies.
The clash between Triangle and Green Fuel is a quintessential direct survival battle.
It’s a savage duel where 16th-placed Green Fuel must win, while Triangle seek just a point to avoid the abyss.
City rivals Highlanders and Chicken Inn, both perched on 38 points, only need to draw their match at Barbourfields to breathe easy.
Thirteenth-placed Dynamos are still technically in the relegation frame.
On 38 points, a loss against FC Platinum could still see them dragged into the nightmare scenario, though a draw should guarantee them safety.
But for Yadah FC, the “Miracle Boys”, they will need more than just a prayer and a miracle.
Second-from-bottom on a meagre 35 points, even a win against Simba Bhora might not save them.
For them, they do not need a miracle to remain in the league, but an increase in the number of teams, a proposal recently shot down.
Adding to the tension, Manica Diamonds host Bikita Minerals at Sakubva, with Bikita Minerals’ destiny hanging by the thread of a single, required victory, a fight their coach Wislon Mutekede is ready for.
The stage is now truly set for an unforgettable and potentially devastating Sunday.
Matchday 34 fixtures
Tomorrow: TelOne v Scottland (Ascot), MWOS v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Ngoni), Herentals v ZPC Kariba (Rufaro)
Sunday: Green Fuel v Triangle (Green Fuel Arena), Chicken Inn v Highlanders (Barbourfields), Manica Diamonds v Bikita Minerals (Sakubva), Simba Bhora v Yadah (Wadzanayi), Kwekwe United v Caps United (Ascot), Dynamos v FC Platinum (Rufaro)