By McGeorge Mbare
Three Central Region Soccer League Division One top four teams swept through to the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup 2026 Round of 32, leaving Chapungu as the only team that failed to pass the preliminary round.
The three teams now await the Round of 32 draw to find out their next opponents on 22 July 2026.
Gwanda Pirates FC secured a 3-2 victory on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regular time to keep their Munhumutapa Challenge Cup Round of 32 hopes alive.
Prince Gwetu broke the deadlock for Gwanda Pirates before Chirambadare scored an equaliser in the 83rd minute.
Gwanda Pirates FC goalkeeper Themba Moyo kept both Gwanda Pirates and Central Region Soccer League Division One hopes alive after saving 3 penalties against Harare City.
Central Region Soccer League Division One side Blanket Mine secured a 1-0 victory against Eastern Region side Buffalo FC away from home.
Buffalo FC stuck to their pesky identity, but could not shake off Central Region Soccer League representatives Blanket Mine.
Kwekwe United secured a 4-2 victory on penalties after a 0-0 stalemate in regular time.
Kwekwe United become the third representative for the Central Region Soccer League Division One alongside Blanket Mine and Gwanda Pirates.
The only Central Region Soccer League Division One team to go out in the preliminary round was Chapungu, falling 1-0 at home to MWOS U19.
Two of the Three Central Region Soccer League Division One representative are Gwanda side teams namely Gwanda Pirates and Blanket Mine
In an interview with Johannes Ngodzo, who is at the helm of Gwanda Pirates, speaking on the possibility of being drawn against a PSL team, he said “The team’s goal is to just win and qualify for the next round. Even if we are drawn against a better team or a Premier League side in the Round of 32 draw, it will be good for the Gwanda Pirates team and community.
The three teams will be hoping to keep Munhumutapa Cup hopes alive and secure a round of 16 spot.
Teams Qualified For The Round Of 32
Central Region
- Blanket Mine
- Gwanda Pirates
- Kwekwe United
Northern Region
- FC Oden
- Marere
- MWOS U19
Southern Region
- Blackrock
- Aqua Stars
- Hwange
- Jordan Provincial Teams
- Chilli FC (Midlands)
- Norton Big Boys (Mashonaland West)
- Chatidhege (Mashonaland East)
- Scottland Academy (Harare) Premier Soccer League Teams
- Scottland
- Hardrock
- Dynamos
- Ngezi Platinum Stars
- CAPS United
- Herentals
- Highlanders
- Simba Bhora
- FC Platinum
- MWOS
- Chicken Inn
- Bulawayo Chiefs
- ZPC Kariba
- FC Hunters
- Agama
- TelOne
- Manica Diamonds
- Triangle United