Once the Pride of the Warriors, Now Fighting for Survival — Bosso vs DeMbare as Battle of Zimbabwe Loses Its Glory
These two teams are the traditional household names in Zimbabwean football, yet in recent years both have struggled financially and failed to attract or produce the calibre of talent that once dominated the domestic league and supplied the national team. In the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, Highlanders and Dynamos were fortresses — the heartbeat of Zimbabwean football and the foundation of the Warriors. Today, they are mere shadows of their former selves, and the famous “Battle of Zimbabwe” has become a derby in name more than stature.
A paltry two points now separate Highlanders and Dynamos ahead of this afternoon’s encounter at Barbourfields Stadium. Whichever side wins will move above the other on the log. Bosso will widen the gap with victory, while DeMbare could leapfrog their rivals with three points.
This fixture carries enormous significance, not because it will decide a championship, but because both fading giants find themselves uncharacteristically battling to avoid relegation. Highlanders sit on 35 points, while Dynamos trail with 33. From 30 matches, Bosso have recorded seven wins, 14 draws, and nine defeats, scoring 25 and conceding 24 for a slim +1 goal difference.
Dynamos, under Kelvin Kaindu, have also managed seven wins, but with 12 draws and 11 losses. Their 17 goals scored and 24 conceded leave them with a -7 difference, a reflection of their struggles in front of goal.
Both sides have shown flashes of the old brilliance that once made this rivalry legendary, but inconsistency continues to plague them. For Highlanders, victory would offer breathing space and a morale boost for their loyal supporters, while Dynamos know that a win in Bulawayo could flip the table and reignite their survival hopes.
Once the match that defined Zimbabwean football, this derby now serves as a sobering reminder of how far the country’s traditional powerhouses have fallen — a clash still rich in passion, but played under the heavy shadow of decline.