The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has dismissed a Premier Soccer League (PSL) resolution to suspend relegation at the end of the current 2025 season.
As it stands, the bottom four clubs will be relegated after the matchday 34 fixtures scheduled for this coming weekend.
Kwekwe United, Yadah, GreenFuel and Bikita Minerals occupy the drop zone heading into the final round of matches.
However, several other clubs, including Triangle United, Dynamos, Manica Diamonds, Chicken Inn and Highlanders, remain at risk of losing their top-flight status.
Earlier on Tuesday, 8 November, PSL Communications and Media Liaison Officer Kudzai Bare announced that an Extraordinary General Meeting had agreed to freeze relegation for the 2025 campaign.
She said the league would absorb newly promoted teams, creating a temporary 22-team competition for the 2026 season, before introducing a 20-team structure in 2027.
The four teams promoted for the 2026 season are FC Hunters, Bulawayo Chiefs, Hard Rock and Agama.
However, later on Tuesday, ZIFA issued its own statement firmly rejecting the PSL’s proposal, insisting that the suspension of relegation at the end of the 2025 season cannot be implemented. ZIFA said:
“Promotion and relegation are fundamental components of football competition and are essential to maintaining the integrity, fairness and sporting merit of the league system.
“ZIFA therefore confirms that four (4) clubs will be relegated at the conclusion of the 2025 Castle Premier Soccer League season, which officially ends on 23 November 2025.”
ZIFA, however, left the door open for the PSL to revisit the promotion and relegation framework, saying it would consider the matter if the league formally submits a detailed proposal for the Association’s review. Reads the statement:
“Should the Premier Soccer League or any other member wish to propose an adjustment to the number of participating teams, or propose any other resolution, such a request must be formally submitted to the Association.
“In accordance with ZIFA statutes, the proposal will then be tabled for consideration at the next ZIFA Congress.”
Pindula (C)