By Edwin Msipa and Tawanda Msipa
Freelance Sports Writers
BULAWAYO — The wait is over. The wait has always been 364 days. This Sunday, June 21 2026, Barbourfields Stadium, Emagumeni, will shake to its foundations as Zimbabwe’s two football giants, Highlanders FC “iBosso” and Dynamos FC “The Glamour Boys”, clash in the 2026 edition of The Battle of Zimbabwe.
Kick-off is live, and the city of kings is already buzzing. Robson Sharuko, Zimbabwe’s greatest football journalist, reports a bumper crowd expected at BF. But this is 2026 — no more scrambling at turnstiles. The Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League has gone digital. Tickets close Saturday day-end. Miss that deadline and your match day will be television static or radio commentary from Super FM. Buy now, be there, feel it.
THE LEGENDS LINE UP
This is not just a game. It is history breathing. Highlanders, formed in 1926 when colonial rule was at its peak, defied the odds and became the heartbeat of Bulawayo. Bosso’s probable XI reads like a roll call of legends past and present:
1. Peter ‘Captain Oxo’ Nkomo, 2. Mercedes ‘Rambo’ Sibanda, 3. Dumisani Nyoni, 4. Fanuel ‘Launcher’ Ncube, 5. Alexander ‘Zanda’ Maseko, 6. Willard ‘Mashinkila Wirriiiìi!’ Khumalo, 7. Madinda Ndlovu, 8. Titus Majola, 9. Amin Soma Phiri, 10. Rahman ‘Rah’ Gumbo, 11. Nhamo Shambira.
Expect Biya, Kelvin Kaindu, Ngodzo the Signature, Douglas ‘British’ Mloyi, Zenzo Moyo, Peter and Adam Ndlovu, Tobias Mudyambanje, Benjamin ‘Ben’ Nkonjera, Tito Paketh, Mapepa, with Barry Dhaka marshaling from the bench. This is the greatest iBosso spirit we’ve seen in years — grit, pride, and that famous black-and-white never-say-die.
Dembare, born in 1963 the same year the OAU was formed, arrive with their own aura of Harare invincibility. Their lineup:
1. Peter Fanuel, 2. Angirayi Chapo, 3. Eddie Muchongwe, 4. Kalisto Pasuwa, 5. Misheck Marimo, 6. Francis Shonhayi, 7. Garikai Zuze, 8. Clayton Munemo, 9. Gift ‘Ghetto Muduso’ Mpariwa, 10. Moses ‘The Razor Man’ Chunga, 11. Edward ‘Madhobha’ Katsvere.
Sunday Mhofu Chidzambwa is the coach.
From the bench, Ian Gorowa, Sadomba ‘Duduza’ Edward Biggie ‘Bindura Part 1’ Zuze, Hope Chiota, Claudius ‘Hokoyo’ Zviripayi, and hot substitute Vitalis ‘Digital’ Takawira are ready to change the game. Oliver ‘Ole’ Kateya, Muhoni, Max Makanza Lunga, Makwinji Soma — Dembare depth is frightening.
PSL FLAIR, FAMILY FAIR PLAY
The PSL this season has given us goals, drama, and last-minute heartbreak. Today it gives us its crown jewel. But with glory comes responsibility. A call to match officials: be firm, be fair, protect the spectacle. No dubious calls, no swallowed whistles. Let football decide this one.
To the fans — this is a family game. Missiles and hooliganism belong to yesteryear. Who will protect our children if stones fly? The Battle of Zimbabwe is about skill, chants, and pride, not violence. Fill BF with songs, not stones. Respect the jersey opposite you. After 90 minutes, we are still one nation.
BULAWAYO: MORE THAN 90 MINUTES
Make a weekend of it. Arrive early and soak in KoBulawayo. The city embraced cleanliness long before others tried — Konthuthu Ziyathunca is real. Walk the smart streets. Visit Matesu Dube’s Umkhathi Theatre Works for art that speaks Ndebele. Siyaya Arts, led by Mambazo Simon Phiri, is alive. The late great Cont Mhlanga’s Amakhosi Theatre is just minutes from BF. Culture and football — that’s Bulawayo.
Take the family to Matopos, Dhlodlo Ruins, Khami Ruins, Ematonjeni, or Mzilikazi’s place. And transport? Buses will move fans, but National Railways of Zimbabwe must step up. Trains must carry more. Let the iron snake bring thousands to Emagumeni.
A BIRTHDAY FOR THE AGES
For this writer, June 21 2026 is personal. I turn 52 today, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than watching Zimbabwe’s two most successful teams do battle. Highlanders, the oldest, defied colonialism. Dynamos, born with African liberation, defied expectations. Both are Zimbabwe. Both are us.
So, Bosso faithful, wear your black and white with pride. Glamour Boys, paint BF blue and white. Sing, dance, eat sadza with nyama, and go home with memories, not regrets.
Predictions? Futile. Form goes out the window. Heart, history, and who wants it more will decide. One thing is certain: Emagumeni will be alive. Zimbabwe will be watching.
The Battle of Zimbabwe. No missiles. Just football. See you at Barbourfields.
Edwin Msipa & Tawanda Msipa are freelance sports writers based in Harare. Contact: +263 718 782 302
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