Harare — For some time now Zifa have been lobbying for support from the corporate world to make a successful bid to host the 2010 African Cup of Nations.

While Zifa are still looking for ideas and potential sponsors for the bid, neighbours Zambia are already somewhere and better placed to succeed.

In May, the Zambian Government endorsed a budget of US$90 million for the construction of three new stadiums in the in the Copperbelt, Lusaka and the Southern province for the 2010 African Cup of Nations.

When there seemed to be "investor confidence" in local football, the country's biggest sponsorship deal involving the Premier Soccer League and Econet Wireless through their pre-paid brand, Buddie, was terminated on Thursday.

The blame was laid squarely on the endless wrangles between Zifa and the PSL management committee.

With former PSL chairman Rafiq Khan being in charge of Zifa now, the latest withdrawal brought to six the number of sponsors who have pulled out of football since 2002.

BP Zimbabwe

In 1994 the petroleum giant sponsored the first knockout tournament for the National Premier Soccer League, which was inaugurated the previous year after former Super League clubs broke away from Zifa in 1992.

BP were the second big sponsor to support NPSL after Blue Ribbon Foods, who bankrolled the league championship in 1993 and 19994.

The Castle Cup was the country's prestigious tournament then but it was run by Zifa as it involved teams from minor leagues.

From 1997 the BP League Cup became the country's major cup tournament after National Breweries fell out with Zifa and withdrew the Castle Cup and became a ticket for the Africa Cup of Cup Winners.

However, the last BP League tournament was in 2002 with CAPS United being the last winners after edging Highlanders 1-0 at the National Sports Stadium.

The PSL, then led by Khan, failed to convince BP to continue sponsoring the tournament and a nine-year marriage came to an end.

BAT (Madison)

Launched in 1999, the Madison Trophy the second major knockout tournament in the Premiership after the BP League Cup, got off to a dramatic start as minnows Lancashire Steel stunned CAPS United 2-1 in the inaugural final.

Harare giants Dynamos won the next two finals in 2000 and 2001 as they beat Amazulu and Chapungu 1-0 on both occasions while Amazulu beat Black Rhinos 3-1 to win the 2002 final.

Just like the BP League Cup, the same PSL management committee failed to keep Madison's sponsorship and the official explanation was that world soccer governing body Fifa had banned tobacco firms from sponsoring and advertising at football matches.

But as seen by Savanna's sponsorship for Dynamos this season, it was a big lie.

Dairibord Zimbabwe

The country's biggest dairy marketing company came up with the Dairibord Charity Shield and the inaugural final in 2001 involved traditional giants Dynamos and Highlanders with the later winning 2-1.

In 2002 the tournament involved four teams - Amazulu, Dynamos and Shabanie Mine - and Dynamos edged Amazulu in the final.

Just like the BP League Cup and the Madison Trophy, the same PSL management committee failed to retain Dairibord Zimbabwe's confidence and the tournament was terminated.

Warriors Trust

A group of captains of industry in the country had formed the Warriors Trust to take care of the national team and they secured transport, accommodation and the most important requirements of the Warriors.

The Warriors Trust were part of the historic 2004 Nations Cup campaign in which Sunday Chidzambwa led the Warriors to their maiden appearance at the continental showcase.

When Rafiq Khan took over as Zifa chairman in December 2003, he ended the national association's marriage with the Warriors Trust as he had a better Trust awash with corporate sponsors.

Early this month, Warriors assistant coach Moses Chunga was fired for appearing on national television to tell the nation how broke Zifa were and how the team has had to struggle to make ends meet.

Department of Information and Publicity

The Zifa Cup was revived in 2001 after the Department of Information in the President's Office secured sponsorship for the tournament.

The tournament improved with each year and social teams like Falhorn and Highdon Raylton had their glorious moments eliminating giants like CAPS United and Chrome Stars.

However, Khan's board terminated Zifa's partnership with the Department of Information and Publicity last year preferring a better sponsor.

The tournament, which usually start in May, was nearly scrapped last year as Zifa failed to find sponsorship and it was only confirmed with a month remaining before the end of the season.

The Sport and Recreation Commission then came in at the 11th hour to salvage the tournament by guaranteeing sponsorship and it became the first major knockout event to have three rounds played during midweek.