The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has directed the Northern Region Soccer League (NRSL) to immediately enforce a decision made by its Appeals Committee concerning Chingwere FC’s participation in the 2026 season.
This follows a formal complaint and subsequent appeal submitted by Chingwere FC after the club was excluded from the Northern Region’s top division. ZIFA confirmed that, in line with its supervisory mandate, it requested a comprehensive explanation from the NRSL detailing the legal and procedural grounds for rejecting the club’s membership.
"We exercise our constitutional oversight role by requesting a detailed report from the NRSL outlining the legal and administrative basis for its decision" said the association
After reviewing the league’s report alongside the appeal documents, the matter was referred to the ZIFA Appeals Committee for determination. The committee partially upheld the appeal, nullified the NRSL’s earlier decision, and ruled that Chingwere FC’s prior acceptance for the 2026 campaign should stand until Congress deliberates on the issue.
ZIFA reiterated that decisions issued by its judicial structures are compulsory for all affiliates and member leagues. Consequently, the association has instructed the NRSL to act without delay to implement the ruling in full.
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The NRSL has been given 48 hours to provide written confirmation to the ZIFA Secretariat detailing the measures taken to comply with the directive.
The association cautioned that any failure to execute the decision would amount to a violation of its statutes and could trigger disciplinary action.
ZIFA also clarified that any party seeking to challenge the Appeals Committee’s verdict may only do so through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, as stipulated under both ZIFA and FIFA regulations.
Unless overturned by CAS, the Appeals Committee’s ruling remains fully binding and enforceable.
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