The ZIFA Central Region Soccer League has revealed the format for their upcoming cup tournament, sponsored by GMI and Dream Inn.
The Central Region recently unveiled a USD 16,000 sponsorship deal for a tournament modelled after the PSL’s Chibuku Super Cup.
Fanzone has it on good authority that the prize money will be increased as the sponsor is keen on enhancing competition in the region’s first cup tournament in over a decade.
With 18 teams in the league, the cup tournament will run concurrently with the 2026 season starting on 14 March. Fixtures of the upcoming season will be released on 1 March.
Clubs in the top eight positions of the League at the mid-season break will automatically qualify for the quarter-finals. A draw will be conducted for the knockout stage, leading upto the final.
These teams earn entry based solely on points accumulated during the regular season, with no additional criteria such as cup performances influencing selection.
In addition, if a qualified club withdraws or faces suspension prior to the tournament, the next-highest ranked team replaces it.
In cases of tied points for the eighth position or other qualifying spots, tiebreakers follow Central Region Soccer League rules — goal difference serves as the primary decider, followed by head-to-head results between the tied teams.
