Chili FC Crowned 2026 Sino Zimbabwe Champion of Champions

Gweru – ZIFA Midlands Division 2B rising stars Chili FC were crowned the Sino-Zimbabwe Champion of Champions following their 2-0 victory over Manyama FC in a final played recently at the Gweru Agricultural Showgrounds.

The match, played during the Midlands Agricultural Show, marked a second meeting this year between the two sides after Chili FC secured a 5-2 win against Manyama FC in the Golden Mines Octa Cup final at Chahwanda Stadium in Kwekwe on the 26th of July 2026.

Chili FC, based in Gweru and competing in the ZIFA Midlands Division 2B, advanced to the Sino Zimbabwe final with a 1-0 win over Chiponjeka FC of the ZIFA Midlands Division 2A league.

Manyama FC, based in Kwekwe and playing in the ZIFA Midlands Division 2C, progressed with a 2-0 victory over the same opponents during the round-robin stage.

In a statement on their Facebook page, Chili FC flaunted their dominance over Manyama FC.

“In a repeat of the first final this year, we faced Manyama FC and came out on top to lift the silverware at Gweru Showgrounds.

"That makes it 2 TROPHIES this year! Playing Manyama Football Club in both finals and winning both! That's dominance,” the team said.

Chili FC celebrating at the Midlands Show grounds.

The final itself was a hard-fought contest as both teams sought the championship title.

Chili FC Assistant Coach, Edmore Sibanda, reflected on their performance after the match.

“In today's game we played a little better, it was an average game but it was an eye opener for some of the players because we don't know some of the players yet, they are just new to the club so it was an eye opener to see some who can play in the first team,” he said.

On changes to the starting lineup he said the club was opening up their options as games pile up.

 “We wanted to see some players who we hadn't seen playing yet, to give them game time because we have a lot of games like in these tournaments and the Munhumutapa Cup.

We want to have a bigger pool of players so that when we get injuries we can replace those early," he said.

Chili FC Assistant Coach, Edmore Sibanda.

To the supporters, Sibanda promised to bring a new style of play.

“I promise our supporters you are going to see total football because we have a programme where we are going to change the system of play to raise our standards,” he said.

Manyama FC coach, Simbarashe Gutu said they played well but the team needs sprucing up.

“It was a good game, we trained well and played well. I think what we need going forward is to find a good striker, some defenders and maybe midfielders as well," he said.

Manyama FC Coach, Simbarashe Gutu (left in cap).

Chili FC also advanced to the round of 16 of the Midlands Munhumutapa Challenge Cup after a 2-2 draw away to Aqua Stars at Luveve Stadium, progressing via a 3-2 penalty shootout victory.

Sino-Zimbabwe Cement Company (SZCC) Sales Representative, Nqobile Mhlophe, outlined the reasons for the company’s continued involvement in the tournament, 10 years on.

“Why we continue sponsoring this tournament is three fold, first we want to prevent youth from things like drug abuse and other ill activities, so we are trying to prevent this through sport and entertainment that we provide through such activities like soccer," he said.

"Secondly, it is because we want to increase awareness of our products and company, so that people know our products, and for those who already know to remind them.

"The third motivating factor is that when we sponsor activities like soccer we are ploughing back to the community, it is the same community that supports us, who make us who we are and ensure we continue existing," Mhlophe said.

Sino-Zimbabwe Cement Same Representative Nqobile Mhlophe (left) hand over the trophy and envelop to Chili FC after winning the cup.

He said the SZCC will continue sponsoring such tournaments.

"So this is a small way of saying thank you to the community, and we have done so for the last 10 years, and we will continue supporting into the future.

"To our customers, retailers, hardwares and the general public, contractors and other people using our cement, we thank you and encourage you to continue supporting us, buying our product," Mhlophe said.