By Rex Mphisa
THE Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has proposed to increase the number of male soccer teams in the premiership league to 20 from 18 starting next season.
It has also proposed the establishment of a national Division One (1) League ending the zonal regions.
In a letter to various stakeholders ZIFA , the country’s soccer governing body, said the decision s are a result of key considerations including alignment of Zimbabwean soccer to international calendars.
The increase is also likely to create more opportunities for clubs countrywide to compete in top flight football, ZIFA believes.
“Pursuant to our mandate to develop, organize, and regulate football across all levels in the country, ZIFA wishes to formally propose the increase in the number of teams participating in the Premier Soccer League from eighteen (18) to twenty (20), effective from the 2026 season,” said the letter signed by ZIFA general secretary Yvonne Mapika Manwa.
“This proposal is informed by the following key considerations and justifications, 1. Alignment with International Best Practice: A 20-team league structure is widely adopted by leading football leagues globally and provides for a more comprehensive competition calendar aligned with the FIFA calendar year.
“2. Enhanced Competitive Balance and Opportunities, expanding the league will create more opportunities for clubs from various regions to participate at the highest level, thereby promoting inclusivity, talent identification, and balanced regional representation,” ZIFA said.
The developed would also increase commercial and broadcasting value to the national league broadening chances of following and sponsorships.
“An increased number of fixtures enhances the league’s commercial appeal, offering mom content for broadcasters, sponsors, and fans-thus contributing to the league’s financial sustainability and visibility.”
The expansion also had developmental objectives supporting ZIFA’s broader vision to strengthen the national football ecosystem by creating a wider platform for player development, coaching exposure, and administrative experience.
ZIFA said the proposed expansion is in tandem with the vision to create a single National Division One League to feed the premiership.
Currently the Premier Soccer League feeds from four zones in the Southern, Central Eastern and Northern Regions which compete for four slots in the premiership where four are relegated.
“ZIFA also wishes to notify the PSL of our intention to explore and conduct broad consultations on the establishment of a National First Division League, which will serve as the immediate feeder league to the PSL. This structure aims standardise competition across regions under a unified national framework, ZIFA said.
A national Division One League will, according to ZIFA, improve promotion and relegation systems in a transparent and competitive manner.
ZIFA said it will engage all key stakeholders-including the PSL. Regional Leagues, and club representatives in the coming months to ensure an inclusive and well-structured implementation plan.
“We kindly request the PSL’s consideration, input, and support towards these initiatives, which we believe are critical to the progressive transformation of Zimbabwean football.”
ZIFA said it appreciated the PSL for its continued contribution to the growth and professionalisation of football in Zimbabwe.
“The Association acknowledges the League’s consistent efforts in upholding high standards of administration, competition, and commercial engagement.”
The proposal for a National Division One league comes at a time when clubs across the country are going through difficult financial times.
Most are non sponsored community teams which struggle to travel for games and a national league would require them travel long distances for fixtures.
“This is the death of community teams and talent from these communities will be hit with a heavy blow,” an official of Dulibadzimu United said.
Another official of the Gwanda based ZRP Gwanda said poor officiating and poor administration of the regions was another factor that killed competition.
“In this region we witnessed injustices in administration. corruption, some of it criminal. They get away with it while ZIFA smiles on that. We saw for the first time in the history of soccer that a player can change names without a Notaries and the league will find him not guilty, its sickening,” said the official.