Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Battle of Zimbabwe is back, but the atmosphere is heavy with crisis. Instead of a title showdown, giants Highlanders and Dynamos are locked in a desperate dogfight for survival near the foot of the table.
As they prepare to face off at Barbourfields Stadium this Sunday, both clubs know that in this tightly packed league, a single dropped point could drag them into the relegation abyss.
Yet, despite the pressure, history offers a clear advantage to the hosts. Highlanders have not lost to Dynamos in open play since 2015. The Harare side’s only “wins” in that period—recorded in 2017 and 2023—were awarded via the boardroom following match abandonments caused by crowd disturbances. In the last 17 league meetings, Highlanders have claimed seven victories, Dynamos just three (two of which were not earned on the pitch), and the remaining seven matches have ended in draws. This record underscores Bosso’s dominance in the fixture and adds psychological weight to their favour.
The 2024 season further cemented this trend, with Highlanders completing a double over Dynamos—winning 2-1 at home and 2-0 away. Even the reverse fixture in April 2025 at Rufaro Stadium ended in a goalless draw, another example of Dynamos’ inability to breach Bosso’s defence. Despite this, Dynamos approach the match with cautious optimism, buoyed by an unbeaten run in their last nine league games under coach Kelvin Kaindu. His leadership has brought stability, but the challenge of securing an open-play win against Highlanders remains a daunting mental barrier.
Bosso coach Pieter de Jongh remains focused on the immediate task: securing safety. With two more points than their rivals, Highlanders need just four points from their remaining four matches to avoid relegation. De Jongh is counting on the passionate support of the Bosso faithful to lift his side in what he calls “the biggest game in Zimbabwe football.” His confidence is grounded not only in statistics but in the atmosphere Barbourfields is known to generate.
While the rivalry guarantees drama, this edition of the Battle of Zimbabwe is defined by urgency rather than glory. It is a fight for breathing room, a clash steeped in history but shaped by present-day peril. For Dynamos, the pressure is immense—not only to break a decade-long winless streak in open play against Highlanders but to claw their way out of the relegation mire. For Bosso, it is a chance to reaffirm their dominance and secure their top-flight status. Either way, Sunday promises a spectacle where pride, points, and survival are all on the line.
League results since 2015
2015 Dynamos 3-2 Highlanders
Highlanders 1-1 Dynamos
2016 Dynamos 0-2 Highlanders
Highlanders 2-1 Dynamos
2017 Highlanders 1-1 Dynamos
(Awarded to Dynamos*)
Dynamos 1-1 Highlanders
2018 Dynamos 0-1 Highlanders
Highlanders 3-0 Dynamos
2019 Highlanders 1-0 Dynamos
Dynamos 1-1 Highlanders
2021/22 Highlanders 1-0 Dynamos
(Awarded to Highlanders*)
Dynamos 0-0 Highlanders
2023 Highlanders 0-0 Dynamos
Dynamos 2-0 Highlanders
(Awarded to Dynamos*)
2024 Highlanders 2-1 Dynamos
Dynamos 0-2 Highlanders
2025 Dynamos 0-0 HighlandersTBC
*Result awarded after match abandonment due to crowd trouble.
