The Zimbabwe Football Association are now moving in the direction following the re-introduction of the Zifa Cup now renamed the Munhumutapa Zifa Challenge Cup.
Although it is not clear who the sponsor is, the Munhumutapa Zifa Challenge Cup offers participation for all from the area zones to the Premiership and for that matter touching all the four corners of the country.
Although rumours suggest that the money came from companies associated with Wicknell Chivhayo, Kuda Tagwirei, Scott Sakupwanya, and Paul Tungwarara, the fact remains that the football family is happy and Zifa should be commended for bringing on board whoever is pouring money into the competition.
Others have come up with their own political narrative as to where the money came from and for what reason but what we surely know is that football is the ultimate winner of the US$5 million per year package over that period of five years.
This Munhumutapa Zifa Challenge Cup comes at a time when football followers were calling for an increase in knockout tournaments to add excitement as they were restricted to only one knockout tournament -- the Chibuku Super Cup -- which was for Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clubs only.
The old version of the Munhumutapa Zifa Challenge Cup -- then known as the Zifa Unity Cup -- was last contested for in 2005 and was won by Masvingo United over Highlanders 3-1 on post-match penalties after the two teams had finished one-all in regulation time.
Heartening is that the Zifa Challenge Cup will give our top football clubs the opportunity to identify and consume talent that is in abundance in the remote areas as well as in the rural areas and in farms.
As the clubs move around the country to fulfill fixtures they will find one or two unpolished gems for refining to play in the Premiership and ultimately for the Zimbabwe Warriors.
Surely, our game needs fresh inspiration as it has -- over the years -- suffered due to a dearth in talent hence the recycling of the same old players from one club to the other every year.
It surely has been saddening to see a player as old as 33 years at Dynamos in 2021, then at Caps United in 2022, ZPC Kariba in 2023 and Greenfuel in 2024, as the country struggles to discover new talent for the game.
With this competition, it might not be long before Zimbabwe discovers players of the calibre of Peter Ndlovu or others in the mould of the late great Stanley Ndunduma who are scattered all over the country and in remote areas.
What is also important is that the Zifa Challenge Cup will give football fans -- outside the big cities and towns -- the chance to watch Zimbabwean football stars right in their areas of residence.
If we were the ones in charge of fixtures, we would make sure that Premiership teams play away if drawn against clubs from farms and rural areas in order to give fans in those areas the chance to watch the likes of Khama Billiat, Knowledge Musona, Washington Navhaya, Andrew Mbeba, -- and others, -- right on their doorsteps.
Remember the huge crowds that the Zifa Cup used to attract when big clubs like Dynamos, Caps United, Highlanders, Arcadia United, Rio Tinto, Zimbabwe Saints or Zisco went to play in small towns or mines.
Some of us still remember the full house that was at Rimuka Stadium in Kadoma and some fans were turned away when Caps United massacred Venice Mine 14-1 in the Zifa Cup of the late 80s.
The excitement that was generated in watching the likes of Joel Shambo, Robert Godoka, Moses Chunga, Joseph Machingura, Titus Majola, Bethal Salis, Boy Ndlovu, and Archiford Chimutanda - amongst others - in those small stadiums was beyond estimations.
That time is back and we hope if there is affialiation fees for participation, Zifa will make that fee affordable for all because they will also benefit on their percentage from gate entry fees.
The national football federation can also not cry about administration costs because that is also covered from the huge package they have received from the sponsors and a reasonable charge would be expected.
As we brace for the start of the biggest football tournament in Zimbabwe, the advice for Zifa would be to start the tournament early knowing pretty well the standards of our stadiums.
Our stadiums do not have cover for supporters and more importantly their drainage is very poor which might force matches to be cancelled or postponed during rain time.
This is a big tournament with huge finances involved and we hope it won't be spoilt by poor management and bad decisions.