The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has dismissed a proposal by the Premier Soccer League (PSL) to suspend relegation for the 2025 season and temporarily expand the league to 22 teams, insisting that normal promotion and relegation procedures must go ahead.
Four teams will be relegated at the end of the 2025 Castle Premier Soccer League season.
Promotion and relegation “cannot be suspended”, as they are essential to the fairness and integrity of the competition.
Any adjustment to league size must be formally submitted to ZIFA and tabled at the next ZIFA Congress.
ZIFA says it has only noted, but not approved, the PSL’s proposed expansion plan.
ZIFA emphasized, saying “The Association wishes to make it unequivocally clear that this proposal cannot be implemented. Promotion and relegation are fundamental components of football competition and are essential to maintaining the integrity, fairness and sporting merit of the league system.”
The football governing body further confirmed
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“ZIFA therefore confirms that four clubs will be relegated at the conclusion of the 2025 Castle Premier Soccer League season.”
Before dismissed the proposal, The Premier Soccer League announced on the 18 of November, that it had agreed in principle to expand the top flight from 18 to 20 teams beginning in the 2026 season.
Suspending relegation in 2025, allowing newly promoted teams to join without any teams dropping out.
Operating a 22-team league in 2026 as a transitional measure.
Reverting to a 20-team league from the 2027 season.
Introducing a phased implementation of a new National First Division League over the next three years.
According to the PSL, “The League will accommodate the newly promoted teams, resulting in an expanded league of twenty-two teams for a transitional period during the 2026 season", said the body
However, ZIFA’s intervention means the PSL’s transition plan cannot proceed without formal approval and ZIFA has directed that any future proposals, including league expansion or structural reforms, must follow the proper channels and be presented at the next ZIFA Congress.
For now, the 2025 season will conclude under normal relegation rules, maintaining the traditional competitive structure.
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