AS the sun sets on 2025, Zimbabwean sports fans can look back on a year of unprecedented achievement, historic “firsts”, and the reclamation of global status.
From the lush rugby fields of Kampala to the elite golf courses of Riyadh, the Zimbabwe bird has flown high.
However, if one narrative defined the year, it was the thunderous return of the Sables to the world stage.
Sables 36-year wait ends
The year 2025 will forever be etched in history as the year the Zimbabwe senior men’s rugby team, the Sables, finally broke their World Cup drought. After decades of “so-close-yet-so-far”, the Sables secured qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia — their first appearance at the global showpiece since 1991.
The journey reached its climax in July at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda. In a heart-stopping Rugby Africa Cup final, Zimbabwe defended their continental crown by defeating their perennial rivals, Namibia, 30-28.
The victory did more than just secure silverware; it exorcised the demons of past qualification failures. After the victory, the Sables soured to 24 the place on the World Ranking, a record high.
The Sables can now look forward to a daunting but thrilling challenge in 2027. They have been drawn into Pool F, where they will battle giants England, Wales, and Tonga. For a generation of fans who have never seen Zimbabwe at a World Cup, 2025 provided the ultimate gift.
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Athletics: Tokyo brilliance
Zimbabwean athletics reached new heights at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Sending a strong contingent of eight athletes, the nation proved it can compete with the world’s elite.
The standout performer was sprinter Tapiwanashe Makarawu, who blazed his way into the 200m final. Facing the fastest men on earth, Makarawu clocked a world-class time to finish seventh overall, cementing his status as a global sprinting force. He wasn’t alone in the top tier.
Makanakaishe Charamba finished ninth overall in the 200m, missing the final by the narrowest of margins, while Chengetayi Mapaya secured 10th place in the men’s triple jump final. Isaac Mpofu continued his marathon consistency with another top-10 finish against a stacked field.
Cricket: Chevrons’ redemption
After the heartbreak of missing the 2024 T20 World Cup, the Zimbabwe Cricket team ensured history would not repeat itself. Hosting the Africa Qualifiers in Harare during September and October, the Chevrons remained undefeated throughout the tournament.
A clinical seven-wicket win over Kenya in the semi-finals punched their ticket to the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. They capped off the perfect tournament by defeating Namibia by seven wickets in the final. This will mark Zimbabwe’s seventh appearance at the T20 World Cup. Individually, captain Sikandar Raza remained the heartbeat of the team, maintaining his position as the world’s number one ranked all-rounder in both ODI and T20 formats for much of the year.
Golden fliers, Gems dazzle
The men netball team, the Golden Fliers continued with their upward trajectory on the international stage after then scooped a silver medal at the Africa Netball Cup in Malawi.
Last year the team settled for bronze and managed to go one better this time around losing to giants South Africa. The Gems who have always done the nation proud one too many times in recent years did not disappoint. Another bronze medal for the second year running cemented their place as one of the best team on the continent.
Golf, hockey, Warriors
The individual comeback story of the year belongs to golfer Scott Vincent. Just a year after being relegated from the LIV Golf League, Vincent surged back to the top. By winning the International Series Morocco and securing ten top-10 finishes, he finished first on the Asian Tour’s International Series Order of Merit, earning an immediate promotion back to the lucrative LIV circuit. His world ranking skyrocketed over 400 places to 152nd.
In Hockey, the Women’s Under-21 team showed incredible resilience. They qualified for their third consecutive Junior World Cup after a dominant 6-1 victory over Uganda to claim third place at the Junior Africa Cup. At the subsequent World Cup in Santiago, Chile, the team finished 23rd in an expanded 24-team field.
As the year draws to a close, football fans are turning their eyes to Morocco. The Warriors are set to make their sixth Afcon appearance this month. Drawn in a “Group of Death” (Group B) alongside Egypt, South Africa, and Angola, the nation awaits to see if they can reach the knockout stages for the first time.
Football: History, consistency
On the local scene, Scottland FC achieved the impossible. Owned by Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya, the club became the first in Zimbabwean history to win the Premier Soccer League title in its debut season. They will represent Zimbabwe in the CAF Champions League next year.
Meanwhile, Dynamos proved their cup pedigree once again, winning the Chibuku Super Cup for the third consecutive time with a 1-0 win over Triangle United. This victory was particularly sweet as “DeMbare” had spent much of the season flirting with relegation before a late-season surge.
Finally, individual brilliance was recognised as TelOne’s Washington Navaya was crowned the 2025 Soccer Star of the Year.
In short, 2025 was a year where Zimbabwe didn’t just participate, but competed.
