THE Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) Mashonaland West Division Two league is set to roar into life this weekend, with clubs putting the final touches to their preparations ahead of what is expected to be a competitive campaign.
The provincial league, which serves as a pathway for promotion into the Northern Region Division One, will feature 56 teams across its structures, maintaining its traditional format.
Mashonaland West Zifa chairperson Derick Matapure confirmed the developments following the association’s recent annual general meeting (AGM).
“We are in the process of making sure that we are ready for the start of the 2026–27 season. At our AGM, we tentatively set the start of the season for mid-April, on the weekend of April 11 to 12,” he said.
Matapure said authorities had urged clubs to expedite player registration processes in line with international standards, targeting full compliance with Fifa regulations.
“What we have told our clubs is that they need to put their players' registration papers in order. As of this year, we are going to make sure that every player is registered via the Fifa Connect platform,” he said.
Keep Reading
- Fifa bans top Zim referee
- Abused female refs take on Zhoya's accomplices
- Mr President, save our football from global isolation
- Mhurushomana cleans Zifa accounts
Matapure said the digital registration system would enhance transparency and protect clubs’ interests in player transfers.
“That is going to help our clubs keep their players and manage engagements from other interested clubs that want to sign them,” he said.
Beyond player registration, the association is also focusing on improving club administration and infrastructure standards.
“We are also going to make sure that our clubs are prepared in terms of the state of their stadiums and the personnel in their executive teams. We have lined up several courses that will cover sports administration and sports injury management,” Matapure said.
The league will maintain its existing structure with 18 teams in the 2B Western division, 18 in the 2B Eastern and 20 in Division 2A. Clubs will be allowed to register a maximum of 30 players, with a mid-season transfer window scheduled from July 1 to July 31.
Matapure expressed optimism that the 2026 season would be among the most exciting in recent years, particularly with the return of a major national cup competition.
Mashonaland West clubs will also participate in the newly rebranded Zifa Munhumutapa Cup, which has secured significant financial backing.
The tournament has been allocated a US$5 million annual sponsorship package over five years, providing a major incentive for lower division clubs.