Govt boots Dynamos, Highlanders out of Independence Cup

By Sports Reporter

Fallen football giants Dynamos and Highlanders will not be part of this year’s Independence Cup final with the government opting for reigning premiership champions, Simba Bhora and 2024 runners-up FC Platinum to feature in the invitational competition.

The 2025 Independence Day celebrations, also to feature the traditional overnight musical gala, would be held at the Nembudziya Growth Point Open Ground Venue in Gokwe North 18 April 2025.

Dynamos and Highlanders, the two most successful teams in the history of Zimbabwe’s premiership football, have fallen by the wayside in recent years as mining teams such as FC Platinum and Ngezi Platinum take over dominance of the local game.

However, despite their poor performance, the two outfits have been preferred ahead of other teams in the invitational Uhuru Cup because of their massive fanbase.

At a post-cabinet media briefing in Harare on Tuesday, Information Minister Jenfan Muswere said Simba Bhora and FC Platinum will be the two teams that will feature in this year’s celebrations.

“Simba Bhora and FC Platinum Football clubs which emerged as the first and second positioned teams in the Premier League will entertain the crowds during the main Independence Day Anniversary celebrations, while Herentals Queens and Black Rhinos Football Clubs will play during the 2025 Children’s Party celebrations,” Muswere said.

Dynamos are the winners of the 2024 Independence Cup after beating Highlanders 1-0 at Uhera Stadium, Murambinda B High School on Thursday, 18 April.

Independence Cup Previous Winners

1983 : Dynamos (Harare)
1984 : Dynamos (Harare)
1985 : Zonal match
1986 : Highlanders (Bulawayo)
1987 : Black Rhinos (Harare)
1988 : Highlanders (Bulawayo)
1989 : Zimbabwe Saints (Bulawayo)
1990 : Dynamos (Harare)
1991 : Highlanders (Bulawayo)
1992 : CAPS United (Harare)
1993 : CAPS United (Harare)
1994 : Chapungu United (Gweru)
1995 : Dynamos (Harare)
1996 : CAPS United (Harare)
1997 : CAPS United (Harare)
1998 : Highlanders (Bulawayo)
1999 : Amazulu (Bulawayo)
2000 : No cup held
2001 : Highlanders (Bulawayo)
2002 : Highlanders (Bulawayo)
2003 : Black Rhinos (Harare)
2004 : Dynamos (Harare)
2005 : Motor Action
2006 : Masvingo United (Masvingo)
2007 : Masvingo United (Masvingo)
2008 : Shooting Stars
2009 : Njube Sundowns (Gwanda)
2010 : Dynamos (Harare)
2011 : Highlanders (Bulawayo)[2]2012 : Platinum (Zvishavane)
2013 : Dynamos (Harare)
2014 : Platinum (Zvishavane)
2015 : Platinum (Zvishavane)
2016 : Chicken Inn FC (Bulawayo)
2017 : Dynamos (Harare)
2019 : Highlanders (Bulawayo)
2020 : Not held
2021 : Dynamos (Harare)
2022 : Highlanders (Bulawayo)
2023 : Highlanders (Bulawayo)
2024 : Dynamos (Harare)