THE Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) has hit back at the Northern Region Soccer League (NRSL) over the delayed kickoff of the 2026 season, dismissing claims that the governing body is responsible for the absence of match officials.
The season, which was scheduled to begin this past weekend, hit a snag after the NRSL board informed the public that "lacklustre arrangements" regarding referees had forced a postponement. According to the NRSL, Zifa failed to act on a road map submitted months ago.
"We submitted our road map to Zifa in January, indicating a kickoff date of 28 February 2026," the NRSL stated. "We expected the requisite training workshops for elite referees and match commissioners to have been held in time to allow for the smooth commencement of our fixtures."
In response, Zifa said it was kept in the dark about the league’s specific plans. The association insists that no formal communication or fixture lists were ever received.
"Zifa did not receive any official communication from the NRSL confirming the start date of the 2026 season, nor were official fixtures submitted to the Association," the statement read.
The public dispute exposes a deep communication breakdown in Zimbabwean football.
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While both sides try to deflect blame, the core issue — the shortage of match officials — remains unresolved. NRSL insists Zifa is the “main player” in the delay, while Zifa stresses that effective competition management depends on proper protocol and timely communication by all parties.