12/11/2025
"Zimbabwe Football Association set to introduce the playoff system"
The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) is planning to introduce a playoff system to expand the top division to 20 teams.
FC Hunters (Eastern Region Soccer League), Bulawayo Chiefs (Southern Region Soccer League), Agama FC (Northern Region Soccer League), and Hardrock FC (Central Region Soccer League) have already earned promotion to the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
Meanwhile, ZIFA intends to host a mini-league playoff involving the four relegated teams and the four regional runners-up (eight teams in total) to fill the remaining two spots in the expanded league. The top two teams from this mini-league will join the existing 18 teams to form a 20-team league.
This development is expected to provide more teams with the opportunity to compete at the top level and enhance the competitiveness of the league.
The news has been welcomed by Dynamos and Highlanders fans, who can now breathe a sigh of relief knowing that even if their teams are relegated on the final day, they still have a chance to retain their spots.
Sheasham FC (Central Region Soccer League) and N'ombeyawora FC (Northern Region Soccer League), who narrowly missed out on promotion, also have a chance to join the top league.
ZIFA is yet to officially confirm the plan.