by MELUSI MHLANGA
BULAWAYO – KHAMI United have sealed their long-awaited promotion into the ZIFA Southern Region Division One League after edging Cowdray Park 1–0 over the weekend — a result that crowned an impressive campaign defined by consistency and resilience.
With two games still to play, Khami United have amassed 65 points, opening a seven-point gap over second-placed Njube Spurs, who sit on 58 points.
The win officially ends the promotion race, confirming Khami’s ascent to Division One, where they will compete among some of the region’s top semi-professional teams next season.
ZIFA Bulawayo Province executive chairman Francis Ntuta congratulated Khami United for their achievement, saying the club had shown commitment and quality throughout the season.
“We say congratulations to Khami United — they’ve done a fantastic job. The promotion is well deserved,” said Ntuta. “We still await the final positions for our runners-up, and the relegation fight remains open with two matches to go.”
The battle for second place now pits Njube Spurs (58 points) against East Rovers (53 points), with Chicken Inn’s developmental side sitting just one point behind on 52.
The remaining fixtures will decide which sides finish on the podium.
At the other end of the table, it’s heartbreak for the college teams. Hillside Teachers College and Herentals College are facing the drop after difficult seasons marked by inexperience and inconsistency.
Hillside managed a 2–2 draw against MPOSA over the weekend, taking their tally to 17 points, while Herentals remain rooted at the bottom with just six points — effectively sealing their relegation fate.
The demotion will see both institutions return to lower provincial leagues, where they will seek to rebuild and develop new talent for the future.
The ZIFA Southern Region Division One League is the second tier of Zimbabwean football, sitting directly below the elite Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL).
Division One serves as the key feeder league to the PSL, with champions from the country’s four regions — Southern, Northern, Eastern, and Central — earning promotion to the topflight each season.
The PSL, sponsored by Delta Beverages’ Castle Lager brand, features Zimbabwe’s top professional clubs such as Highlanders, Dynamos, CAPS United, and FC Platinum.
Promotion to Division One is therefore a major step for ambitious clubs like Khami United, often marking the transition from amateur to semi-professional football.
Many PSL stars and coaches began their journeys in Division One, making it a vital breeding ground for national talent and community-based football development.
Meanwhile, in the ZIFA Matabeleland North Division Two League, Mosi Rovers are on course to secure the championship after 22 rounds of matches.
The former Division One outfit now leads with 55 points, two ahead of Golden Lions, who defeated Banyayi 2–0.
Mosi Rovers underlined their title credentials with a 4–0 victory over Twelve Stars, while Classic Luyando thrashed bottom-placed Victoria Falls Academy 7–2 to move into third place.
The relegation zone currently includes Victoria Falls Academy and Monde Academy, whose weekend fixture against Sao Paulo was postponed.
Sao Paulo sat mid-table with 30 points after drawing 1–1 with Nakaluba Warriors.
As the lower leagues approach their conclusion, Khami United’s promotion story stands out as a reminder of what dedication and local investment in football can achieve.
For the teams facing relegation, however, it’s back to the drawing board — a chance to regroup and rebuild for the next campaign.
From the grassroots of Division Two to the bright lights of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, Zimbabwe’s football pyramid remains alive with competition, ambition, and the hope of climbing to the very top.
