YADAH chairperson Augustine Alikoko has raised concerns over the fairness of the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup draw in the Eastern Region, arguing that the competition format disadvantaged some teams while allowing others to progress without playing an additional fixture.
The controversy stems from the structure adopted by the Eastern Region Division One League, which has 20 teams participating in the knockout competition.
After two rounds of matches, five teams remained in contention instead of four, forcing organisers to schedule an additional play-off between Yadah and Deportivo La Murambinda to determine the final qualifier for the next stage of the tournament.
Alikoko believes the situation could have been avoided had the league adopted a different format from the outset.
“If you look at the Central Region draw, it has 18 teams. They selected the bottom four so that the remaining two could advance to the round of 16, with two teams eliminated through a playoff,” Alikoko said.
“Unlike the Eastern Region, where all 20 teams played in the first round, five teams were left, and three teams gained automatic entry. There is no fair play in that.”
He also questioned the decision-making process that resulted in Yadah and Deportivo La Murambinda being paired in the preliminary play-off, while other teams were granted passage into the next round.
Alikoko said the additional fixture created unnecessary congestion in an already demanding schedule.
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However, Eastern Region administrator Fungai Munyoro dismissed allegations of unfairness, insisting that the draw was conducted transparently and in the presence of club representatives.
“Before the draw, the criteria and format to be used were clearly explained to all those present,” Munyoro told NewsDay Sport.
He said suggestions that certain clubs had been targeted were misplaced because no club names were attached to fixtures during the draw process.
“The pairings were not influenced by club status, performance history or any external considerations beyond the approved draw procedure,” Munyoro said.
He added that once the draw was completed, the tournament bracket was shared with all participating clubs, and no objections were raised at the time.
“As with any cup competition, some clubs may feel the draw was favourable or unfavourable to them, but the important point is that the process itself was conducted openly, transparently and in the presence of all participating clubs,” Munyoro said.
The dispute has nevertheless sparked debate among clubs in the Eastern Region, with some questioning whether future editions of the competition should adopt a format that eliminates the need for additional qualifying matches in the latter stages of the tournament.
