"Zimbabwe cannot remain Zimbabwe, because it has been turned into Zimbabwe ruins," Mr Chamisa told thousands of supporters at a rally in the eastern city of Mutare on Sunday.

"The name Zimbabwe is cursed as you can see our national soccer team always lose matches - cricket team is always defeated, volleyball is always defeated," he added.

A Twitter account which monitors Zimbabwe media shared a video of Mr Chamisa's comment at a rally on Saturday where he made the same comments:

Zim Media Review@ZimMediaReview

 Chamisa speaking on his governance plan;

• Country to change name to Great Zimbabwe

• Harare will remain the Capital but the seat of Govt and Parliament to move to Gweru

• Mutare to be centre for timber, tourism, horticulture

09:39 - 14 Jul 2018

The 40-year-old politician aims to be president in the 30 July election - the first after longtime leader Robert Mugabe left office.

He told supporters on Sunday: "We will be renaming it to Great Zimbabwe in line with the greatness which is coming."

Mr Chamisa and President Emmerson Mnangagwa are considered the frontrunners in the presidential race.

https://twitter.com/ZimMediaReview/status/1018173262948458497