Premier Soccer League chairman Farai Jere has confirmed the Castle Challenge Cup will be played as a season opener, starting with the 2020 campaign.

The cup is played between the league champions and the winners of the Chibuku Super Cup. It was launched in 2017 and had been played at the end of the season.

Speaking at the 2019 PSL Awards held in Harare on Friday, Jere described the shift as a milestone and credited the sponsor of the cup – Delta Beverages – for making it possible.

“We will begin our 2020 season with a bang as the Castle Challenge Cup will be played as a season opener,” the chairman said.

“That’s a milestone to our football and our sponsors Delta Beverages made it possible.”

FC Platinum who won back-to-back league titles in 2017 and 2018 seasons is the only club to have lifted the Castle Challenge Cup.

The Platinum Boys beat Harare City in the inaugural edition in 2017 before retaining the trophy in 2018 after overcoming Triangle United.

Highlanders have already secured a spot in the next year’s edition after clinching the Chibuku Super Cup while the league winners are yet to be confirmed.

Meanwhile, Jere also revealed on Friday that Delta Beverages have agreed a new improved sponsorship package for next season.