The battle for promotion to the Central Region Soccer League Division 1 is entering its decisive stage after Chiponjeka FC, Chili FC, and HardRock Legends finished atop their respective groups in the ZIFA Midlands Province Division 2 league.

All three teams have completed their 22-match regular-season campaigns and will now compete in a mini-league playoff, with only two promotion places available for the 2027 season.

Shurugwi-based Chiponjeka FC topped the Division 2A standings with 46 points, finishing seven points ahead of second-placed Zialanda FC. They concluded their regular-season campaign with a goalless draw against TMZ and will now turn their attention to the promotion contest.

Chiponjeka are scheduled to host Chili FC at Shurugwi 2 High School Ground on October 17, 2026, in what is expected to be a crucial opening encounter in the race for promotion.

Chili FC, meanwhile, finished their Division 2B campaign in emphatic fashion after thrashing Silobela United 6-1 at Bata Stadium to cement their position at the top of the standings.

The Gweru-based side amassed an impressive 59 points, suffering only one defeat throughout the league campaign. Their only loss came against Mahogany FC, who secured a narrow 1-0 victory.

Under coach Jaston Maposa, Chili FC will be hoping to carry their impressive league form into the playoffs as they seek a place in the Central Region Division 1 next season. Their opening assignment against Chiponjeka will provide an early test of their promotion credentials against a side that also enjoyed a strong regular-season campaign.

HardRock Legends of Kwekwe complete the three-team promotion contest after finishing top of Division 2C with 57 points, ten points clear of second-placed Manyama FC.

The Kwekwe side secured their place in the playoffs with a convincing 4-1 victory in their final regular-season match and will now look to maintain that momentum as they pursue promotion.

HardRock Legends are scheduled to face Chili FC away from home in another important fixture as the three sides begin their battle for the two available places.

The playoffs will follow a round-robin format, with each team expected to face the other two twice, home and away. This means each club will play four matches, bringing the mini-league program to a total of six matches.

Chiponjeka FC, Chili FC, and HardRock Legends will therefore have little room for error, with results across the six fixtures determining the two teams that will earn promotion to the Central Region Soccer League Division 1 for the 2027 season.

The opening fixtures are expected to set the tone for the contest, particularly as Chili FC begin against Chiponjeka before facing HardRock Legends away from home. The remaining return fixtures will give each side an opportunity to make up ground or consolidate its position in the standings.

Chili FC enter the playoffs with the highest points tally from the regular season, having collected 59 points, while HardRock Legends finished with 57 and Chiponjeka with 46. However, those points were accumulated in separate groups and do not necessarily determine the outcome of the promotion mini-league.

The three teams will now have to prove themselves against direct promotion rivals, with consistency, home advantage, and the ability to collect points away from home likely to play a major role in deciding their fate.

For the Midlands clubs, promotion would mark an important step toward competing at a higher level, while the playoffs offer an opportunity to turn a successful regular season into a place in Division 1.

With two places at stake and three group winners in contention, the race for promotion is far from over.