The Football Association or FA Cup, at one point the most prestigious  soccer competition in Zimbabwe, was last played more than seven years ago.

Early last year ZIFA announced that the government was going to fund the tournament but the year came to an end without a single preparation towards the tournament.

Government, which previously sponsored the tournament under the name Zifa Unity Cup, intended to help the broke football body.

ZIFA Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Mashingaidze confirmed that arrangements are already in place for the return of the competition next season since there is no longer time to host the tourney this season.

“Arrangements for hosting the FA cup next season are at an advanced stage, it is no longer possible to host the tournament this season but brace for it next season” Mashingaidze said.

He added that  ZIFA intends to budget for at least US$40 000 into each of the four regions which will host  the preliminary rounds of the tournament. Four teams  from each of the same regions will be expected to qualify to be placed in the next round which will involve Castle Lager Premier League sides.

The Mbada Diamonds Cup has been the largest knockout competition but it only involves top flight teams.

The last FA Cup was played in 2007 and was known as the CBZ FA Cup and saw Mwana Africa, under the legendary Willard Khumalo lifting it after beating Chapungu 1-0 through a Benjamin Marere strike.

Previously, the Cup was funded by then National Breweries, now Delta Beverages but they withdrew their package in 1997.

At one stage it was played as the Zifa Unity Cup in 2001 with Highlanders winning it.