Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda, [email protected]
THE Battle of Zimbabwe returns to Rufaro Stadium on Sunday with a familiar argument hanging over the country’s biggest football rivalry.
As Dynamos and Highlanders prepare to meet again, the rise of ambitious, well-funded clubs such as defending champions Scottland, MWOS and newcomers Hardrock has sparked debate about whether the traditional giants still dominate the domestic game the way they once did.
Among supporters from both camps, that idea is quickly dismissed.
Highlanders fan Mayibongwe Mkhweli, widely known as Mgijimi and voted Castle Lager Fan of the Year in 2024, believes talk of Bosso and DeMbare fading into the background misses the point of what the rivalry means to Zimbabwean football.
“What people are saying is like a nice song at a funeral,” said Mkhweli.
“At a funeral, people sing and dance while enjoying those traditional songs. But when the time comes for body viewing or burial, everyone ends up crying.
“People can say what they want now, but in the end they will cry because Highlanders and Dynamos will still rule in this land.”
Highlanders head into the new campaign with renewed optimism after businessman Wicknell Chivayo stepped in with financial backing that has already delivered a new luxury team bus and vehicles for club officials and coach Benjani Mwaruwari.
Mkhweli feels the improved support could help Bosso challenge strongly this season.
“For the past years, the challenges we had were financial,” he said. “Now we have a sponsor and I believe Highlanders will finish in the top four, if not higher.”
Bosso opened their campaign with a 1- 1 draw against Bulawayo Chiefs in a derby at Barbourfields last weekend and now turn their attention to their long-standing rivals.
Another Highlanders supporter, Mpumelelo “Mbesuma” Nkomazana, said the emotion attached to the clash between the two clubs remains unmatched in Zimbabwe.
“In Zimbabwe, there is no fixture bigger than Dynamos against Highlanders,” he said.
“You can even bring Barcelona or Real Madrid to play against Scottland or Hardrock and it still will not match the atmosphere when Bosso and DeMbare meet.”
Dynamos supporters are also preparing for the occasion and are planning a roadshow from Machipisa in Highfield to Rufaro Stadium before the match.
Veteran cheerleader Chris “Romario” Musekiwa said the supporters want to show that the Glamour Boys still command one of the largest followings in the country.
“Dynamos are the biggest and most successful club in Zimbabwean football,” said Musekiwa.
“They made a good start to the season with a win away to TelOne and fans want to come in big numbers to see the new squad, including some exciting foreign players such as Malawi import Stanley Billiat.
“The Dynamos Supporters Harare Chapter will lead a roadshow starting at Africabet Machipisa at 10 am before we move to Rufaro.”
Musekiwa acknowledged that clubs such as Scottland, MWOS and Hardrock have injected fresh excitement into the league through their spending power and recruitment drive.
But he believes the traditional rivalries still define the game.
“Those teams have brought excitement and competition, which is good for the league,” he said. “But the biggest matches will always be the Battle of Zimbabwe and the Harare Derby between Dynamos and CAPS United.”
Another Dynamos supporter, Tragedy “Big Game” Dube, also warned against writing off the Glamour Boys ahead of Sunday’s meeting.
“You will see on Sunday,” he said.
“Dynamos and Highlanders will never disappear from Zimbabwean football. These are the real powerhouses of the game. You cannot erase history.”
Be warned, Rufaro Stadium is now structurally defective and must not be used. We have warned about this situation over and over. People should be warned about this danger and responsible authorities should shut this facility down before a major disaster visits the country. Don’t say you have not been warned!