The Northern Region Soccer League (NRSL) board is in the eye of a storm, following a controversial move to catapult Marere FC from Mashonaland West Division 2 despite the side having finished 11th in their 2025 league.
Marere were handed a boost to jump from the lower end of their log tables and into NRSL amid allegations that they bribed their way into promotion.
They were fast tracked at the expense of 2025 Mash West Division 2 A winners Chingwere, whose place in the league was nullified on the basis that they had been late in paying affiliation fees.
Sources close to ZIFA said the association is currently investigating the matter following an appeal by Chingwere.
“In the spirit of Fair Play, the appeal by Chingwere ought to be heard and if the Northern Region has done everything above board, then there will be no problems.
“What ZIFA is concerned about though is that the Northern Region must not rush to play matches and if Chingwere expulsion is reversed, what would become of the points those teams that would have played Marere FC would have amassed,’’ the sources said.
“In any case in terms of Club Licensing, ZIFA is the licensor through the Club Licensing manager and the First Instance Board so where there are queries a club’s license to play in the Northern Region, Eastern Region or Premier Soccer League may not be issued or withheld.
“There is actually no pressure too on the part of the Northern Region to rush to start their 2026 fixtures when player licenses for all their teams have not been fully issued.
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“What if a team uses ineligible players taking advantage of the absence of Bonafide licenses.
“It seems the whole friction between the Region and ZIFA is about accountability which the association is demanding on how Marere who were in 11th place in their league were promoted ahead of the other nine teams above them minus of course Chingwere.
‘There are suspicions of big money having changed hands there which ZIFA must urgently investigate before giving the Region the all clear to start their season,’’ added the sources.
In a statement circulated on social media, the Northern Region instead blamed the absence of referees for their failure to start their season as scheduled on February 28.
“The Northern Region Soccer League regrets to announce the cancellation of Match Day One fixtures and the postponement of our 2026 league program. Due to circumstances beyond our control, ZIFA's late notice on the non-availability of match officials has forced us to reschedule.
“We had submitted our roadmap to ZIFA in January, indicating a kick-off date of 28 February 2026, expecting the requisite training workshop for Elite Referees and Match Commissioners to have been held in time, and allow for the smooth commencement of our 2026 fixtures
“We apologize to member clubs and stakeholders for the inconvenience as a result of this last minute development’’ said the NRSL board.
The Region did not address the controversial issue of Marere’s admittance into Division One.
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