Financial Woes Force Dynamos Out of 2025-26 CAF Confederation Cup
Zimbabwean football giants Dynamos FC have officially withdrawn from the 2025-26 edition of the CAF Confederation Cup, citing severe financial challenges and a lack of suitable home ground facilities. The decision marks a major setback for the Harare-based club, which had qualified for the continental tournament after successfully defending their Chibuku Super Cup title.
Dynamos, affectionately known as DeMbare, earned their ticket to Africa’s second-tier inter-club competition following back-to-back victories over Ngezi Platinum Stars, sealing a proud domestic achievement under the guidance of former coach Lloyd Chigowe. Their participation was set to complement Simba Bhora, who had qualified for the CAF Champions League after being crowned champions of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
However, the club has now opted out of the competition, with board chairman Bernad Marriot confirming the decision. “The executive will give the finer details, but without a CAF-certified home ground in the country to use, we cannot afford the huge costs involved in participating in the Confederation Cup this year,” Marriot explained. “It will leave the club with an even bigger financial burden if one considers all the costs involved in hosting a CAF match in another country.”
Dynamos’ decision is rooted in Zimbabwe’s ongoing stadium crisis. The National Sports Stadium, the country’s main football venue, remains banned by CAF due to non-compliance with international standards. As a result, local clubs and national teams have been forced to host their “home” matches abroad, often at great financial cost. Last season, Dynamos played their preliminary CAF matches in Gaborone and Francistown, away from home fans and revenue opportunities.
The club’s early exit last year also dealt a financial blow. Failing to progress beyond the preliminary round meant Dynamos missed out on the lucrative US$400,000 group-stage prize, settling instead for a modest US$50,000—barely enough to cover travel and logistics.
Without sufficient sponsorship and with matchday revenue severely limited by stadium unavailability, Dynamos faced the grim reality that participation in the CAF Confederation Cup would strain their already fragile finances.
The news has sparked concern among fans and stakeholders about the broader implications for Zimbabwean football, especially as more clubs struggle with infrastructure and funding. Dynamos’ withdrawal highlights the urgent need for investment in sporting infrastructure and sustainable financial planning for local teams eyeing continental success.
As the 2025-26 CAF season approaches, Dynamos will now shift focus back to the domestic league, hoping to stabilize their financial footing and rebuild towards future international participation. But for now, their absence from Africa’s football stage is a sobering reflection of the challenges facing the beautiful game in Zimbabwe.
