LOCAL football has officially entered a new era of opulence.
In a move that has excited the local sporting landscape, the Zifa Munhumutapa Challenge Cup was yesterday unveiled as the richest trophy in the nation’s history, boasting a staggering US$1 million grand prize for the men’s senior champions.
The tournament, launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa at a glitzy ceremony in the capital, is backed by a massive US$25 million commitment — funded at US$5 million per season over the next five years.
The prize structure revealed by Zifa later in the day yesterday marks a radical departure from the modest earnings previously associated with local football.
To put the figures into perspective, the winners’ purse is not just a windfall: it is a lifeline for continental ambitions.
Zifa said the men’s senior winners will get a mouthwatering US$1 million .
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“From that winnings, US$500 000 will go towards their Caf Confederations Cup journey,” Zifa said in a statement.
Women’s Senior winners will walk away with US$200 000, while teams that will win the junior football development categories will get US$100 000 each.
Futsal and Beach football winners will be rewarded with US$30 000 and US$20 000, respectively.
Beyond the cash, the men’s and women’s champions will lift trophies crafted by the world-renowned luxury jewellery designer Patrick Mavros, further cementing the tournament’s high-status.
Addressing a packed venue, Mnangagwa described the tournament as a “game changer and a new dawn” for Zimbabwean football.
The competition is designed as a massive knockout event mirroring the English FA Cup, allowing small village teams the opportunity to face off against topflight giants.
Over 500 teams are expected to participate.
Zifa president Nqobile Magwizi emphasised the inclusive nature of the project.
“The tournament aligns directly with the National Development Strategy 2 and the Fifa, CAF and Cosafa development frameworks,” he said.
“It is structured, it is inclusive and it is transformational. This is the most comprehensive competition ever undertaken by Zimbabwean football.
“It involves everyone, the Premier League, the grassroots, to the elites, women’s football, futsal and beach football. It is national in scale, it is developmental in purpose, and it is historic in ambition.”
The tournament also received a global nod of approval.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino, appearing via a pre-recorded video, endorsed the initiative, noting its alignment with Fifa’s developmental frameworks.
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, the launch was met with scrutiny from opposition figures. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Advocate Fadzayi Mahere raised concerns regarding the transparency and symbolism of the tournament.
“Is this a @ZANUPF_Official soccer tournament? Who is running it? Who is sponsoring it? Where did the US$25 million come from? Who chose the name ‘Mumhumutapa’? What does this name mean in this context? We need new leaders,” she said.