2025: A year of grit, glory, and lessons for Zimsport

Lovemore Dube, Fungai Muderere, Tinashe Kusema, Zimpapers Sports Hub

AS the curtain fell on another eventful year in Zimbabwean sport, we take a moment to reflect on the triumphs, challenges and milestones that shaped the nation’s athletic landscape. From the thrill of victory to the agony of defeat, 2025 was a year that left an indelible mark on the country’s sporting psyche.

In this review, we relive the most unforgettable moments, celebrate the achievements of our champions, and examine the progress made across various disciplines. We also highlight the emerging stars making waves and the teams that etched their names into the annals of Zimbabwean sporting history.

Athletics
Athletics was among the best-performing disciplines of the year, with three athletes finishing in the top 10 at the World Athletics Championships held in Japan in September. There were no surprises as the country’s top trio — Makanaishe Charamba, Tapiwanashe Makarawu and Isaac Mpofu — lived up to their billing with world-class performances.

Charamba and Makarawu, who reached the Olympic finals in 2024, continued their superb form with record-breaking runs in the 200m, both indoors and outdoors. In the indoor season, the pair shared the top time of the year at 20,13 seconds. This was a clear warning that on the outdoor track, which is less demanding than the all-bend indoor circuit, they would excel — and they did. Charamba broke Makarawu’s national record of 19,94 seconds in May, before Makarawu reclaimed the crown with a blistering 19,84 seconds, placing him among the top 50 fastest 200m times ever recorded.

Mpofu, who finished 19th at the Olympics out of 80 athletes, carried the weight of expectation into 2025 and did not disappoint. He placed 10th in Japan with a time of 2:10:44, just under a minute behind winner Alphonse Felix Simbu, who clocked 2:09:48 in one of the closest finishes in championship history.

But it is Charamba and Makarawu who have ignited local interest. In their mid-20s, they still have at least two Olympic cycles ahead and could form the backbone of Zimbabwe’s strongest-ever 4x100m relay team, alongside David Nyamufarira and Denzel Siamusalela. Athletics maintained its forward-looking trajectory with several coaching clinics held in Bulawayo and Harare. The sport, however, mourned the loss of Themba Mhlophe — a veteran coach, administrator and volunteer who dedicated over 30 years to athletics.

Cricket
In a fortnight, Zimbabwe will welcome the world as hosts of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, a major boost for sports tourism. The senior team will also be in action next month at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after winning the Africa Regional Qualifiers unbeaten. The global tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, runs from February 7 to March 8, 2026. Domestically, the elite league suffered disruptions due to heavy rains, denying players crucial match fitness and statistics for national team selection.

Bowling
The national championships were staged in Bulawayo, with top players vying for spots at the next World Championships.

Rugby
The Team of the Year accolade undoubtedly belongs to the Zimbabwe senior rugby team — the Sables. They made history by successfully defending their Africa Cup title in July, securing a ticket to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. This marks the end of a 34-year wait to return to the global stage, where Zimbabwe will face England, Wales and Tonga in a challenging but exciting pool. The achievement came despite off-field turmoil, including the suspension of the national association leadership by the Sports and Recreation Commission.

Zimbabwe also celebrated referee Precious Pazani, who set a new benchmark for excellence by becoming the first Zimbabwean appointed to officiate at both the Six Nations Championship and the Rugby World Cup. Her rise to the elite echelons of world rugby showcased the calibre of talent the country produces.

Football
Football continues to evoke mixed emotions in Zimbabwe. At club level, the majority of fans still rally behind two iconic teams of yesteryear – Dynamos and Highlanders. Yet, these giants, who have gone 10 and 20 years respectively without a league title, are now shadows of their former selves, playing second fiddle to new teams bankrolled by mining fortunes. While the new clubs soar, gloom engulfs Bosso and DeMbare, raising questions about the sustainability of the “community team” model.

Saddled with debt, they cannot compete for top players or match the financial muscle of emerging sides like Scottland — the new champions of the Premier Soccer League. For much of the 2025 Castle Lager Premiership campaign, Dynamos languished at the bottom of the table, while Highlanders hovered in ninth. Both survived relegation on the final day — a stark warning of what may come, as history recalls the collapse of other community teams such as Black Aces, Arcadia United, Gweru United, Mutare United and Zimbabwe Saints.

Scottland’s rise was no accident. Backed by Scott Sakupwanya’s mining wealth, the club executed an aggressive transfer strategy, assembling a dynamic secretariat led by CEO Ronald Moyo, Sindiso Dube and Thulani “Javas” Sibanda. They secured championship-winning coach Tonderayi Ndiraya from Simba Bhora and signed marquee players like Kevon Moyo, Knowledge Musona and Terrence Dzvukamanja. The writing was on the wall: Scottland meant business in 2025.

The club clinched the championship playing some impressive football, showcasing a well-balanced mix of seasoned experience and a crop of promising youngsters hungry for success.

What should have been a landmark year for Zimbabwean football — marked by resilience and hope as the senior national team qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations finals currently underway in Morocco — ended in heartbreak. The Warriors gifted South Africa soft goals in a 3-2 defeat on Monday, a result that ended the country’s interest in the tournament.

A 2-1 loss to Egypt on December 22, after the Warriors had taken the lead through a stunning opener from Prince Dube, followed by a 1-1 draw against Angola on Boxing Day — where veteran Knowledge Musona tamed an outrageous cross and fired a low shot into the far post — had left Zimbabweans believing the Limpopo Derby could be won.

But the final Group B match turned into a nightmare. Washington Arubi and Divine Lunga were culpable for the first two goals, while captain Marvelous Nakamba became the villain in the dying moments with a diving handball that gifted Bafana Bafana passage into the last 16.

With Nqobile Magwizi taking over Zifa after years of turmoil, and a Normalisation Committee paving the way for a new era under coach Marian Marinica, there was hope that things would improve. But football is unforgiving — the kick-off and the final whistle never lie. Success is never accidental; it is the product of planning, execution, monitoring and evaluation.

It is clear Zimbabwe must return to the drawing board, as age-group teams also struggled in Cosafa tournaments. However, women’s football provided a glimmer of hope, with Mpopoma Sports Academy’s Under-17 team finishing third in last month’s Caf Girls Integrated Football Tournament.

Zifa has taken a positive step by signing a memorandum of understanding with Government to work through schools, capitalising on grassroots numbers and training teachers as coaches.

There were no major moves abroad for Zimbabwean players this season, although Washington Navaya emerged as the Premiership’s top scorer and claimed the Soccer Star of the Year title. Referees continued to shine internationally, led by Brighton Chimhene — a multiple-time Zimbabwe Soccer Match Official of the Year — who is officiating at the ongoing Afcon finals as a VAR referee.

The year also brought sorrow, with the deaths of Tendai Ndoro, a former Chicken Inn, Mpumalanga Black Aces, Orlando Pirates and Warriors forward, and Grey Ncube, a former Black Horrors midfielder.
BMX

Zimbabwe successfully hosted its national championships in Bulawayo in August, with several riders using the event to prepare for the South African National Championships. Kai Wilmans claimed first place in the 13/14 Expert Boys category, Pippa King finished third in the Girls’ 8 and Under, while Keegan King secured bronze in the Novice Boys’ 9 and Under division.
General

New Minister of Sport Anselem Sanyatwe appointed a fresh Sport and Recreation Commission board led by Nathaniel Madzivanyika, replacing Gerald Mlotshwa’s tenure. The new board is expected to enforce compliance by national associations and deliver improved performances at the 2027 All-Africa Games, while ensuring local sport is structured and measurable.

Volleyball
Zimbabwe volleyball enjoyed another stellar year, with UZ Wolves retaining the Confederation of African Volleyball Zone VI men’s title after defeating Mozambique’s Allianca Maputo 3-0 in the final in Polokwane, South Africa, on 21

December. The team dominated individual awards:
Best Libero: Kudzai Mazviro
Best Setter: Nigel Kadumba
Best 1st Blocker: Takudzwa Mashaka
Best Opposite Hitter: Michael Mapfumo
Best Outside Hitter: Matthew Msamanyada
MVP: Michael Mapfumo

According to Zimbabwe Volleyball Association president Mxolisi Ndlovu, the sport is growing steadily, with improved national activity and a smoothly run league. UZ Wolves are ranked first in the region, Black Rhinos fourth, Chinhoyi University of Technology 11th and Ruwa 13th. In the women’s category, Harare City finished eighth, Raven Claw 13th and Chinhoyi 17th out of 22 teams.

Indoor volleyball also brought success, with the Under-19 boys and girls winning gold and bronze at a regional tournament in Namibia. In beach volleyball, the men’s team claimed gold while the women secured silver.
However, the Under-20 side finished last in the African finals held in Egypt. Zimbabwe will host the 2027 Zone VI Club Championships.

Schools sport
Zimbabwean school teams participated in numerous international competitions locally and abroad. At the Confederation of Southern Africa Schools Sports Association event in Eswatini, the team returned with over 110 medals across various disciplines, reaffirming the country’s strong grassroots development.

Cycling
The Nedbank Tour de Great Dyke stood out as one of Zimbabwe’s premier sporting events, attracting top cyclists such as Rodrick Shumba and Nkulumo Dube. This year’s edition featured an 80km grand finale for professionals. Dube suffered a nasty fall in Maun in October but made a remarkable recovery to compete in November’s Tour de Great Dyke.

Tennis
Zimbabwe continued to struggle in the Davis Cup, but junior players showed promise with commendable results in continental events, despite limited exposure to high-ranking International Tennis Federation tournaments.

Netball
The Gems ended the year ranked 12th globally after an active season of over 12 matches, earning valuable points. The senior women’s team finished third at the African Championships, while the men’s team claimed bronze. Zimbabwe stunned Malawi — a continental powerhouse — on their way to third place. Clubs such as Zimbabwe Defence Forces and Chapungu enjoyed successful trips to Namibia and Botswana, returning with silverware. Both the Rainbow Netball League and the Nedbank Championship ran smoothly, providing selectors with a solid talent pool. The Young Gems also impressed in South Africa’s Telkom League, scoring notable wins against provincial franchises.

Despite sponsorship challenges, Zimbabweans continued to demonstrate resilience in keeping sport alive.

Boxing
Steven Masiyambumbi was honoured by the international amateur boxing body as top ring official at a recent tournament. On the professional front, Zimbabwe produced several champions in 2025:
National Championship: Nyasha Hwata (Title defence)
National Championship: Clever Sithole
Professional Fighters League (MMA): Simbarashe Hokonya
IBO: Beaven Sibanda
WBF: Bongani Makovora, Tinashe Majoni, Hassan Milanzi
WBC Africa: Ndabezihle Phiri
ABU SADC: Monica Mkandla
African Kurashi Wrestling: Jonathan Muvingi, Seabel Simbi
National Championship: Shungu Kupani

The Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board also ran workshops for coaches, trainers, referees and administrators to improve safety, officiating quality and athlete welfare, aligning with NDS1 priorities on human capital development.