By Tapiwa Chawagarira
Defending champions Dynamos, Highlanders, CAPS United and Scottland are among the eight teams that have booked their places in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Chibuku Super Cup following an action-packed Round of 16.
The weekend produced goals, penalties and a number of notable upsets as the knockout competition lived up to its reputation for unpredictability.
Dynamos made the biggest statement on Sunday, dismantling TelOne 4-1 at Rufaro Stadium to cruise into the last eight and keep their hopes of retaining the trophy firmly alive.
DeMbare entered the competition as the defending champions and record holders of the modern tournament, having won the last three editions. They had been drawn against the winner of the preliminary-round tie between TelOne and Triangle United.
At Barbourfields Stadium, the much-anticipated Bulawayo derby between Highlanders and Chicken Inn ended goalless after 90 minutes, forcing the tie into a penalty shootout.
Highlanders held their nerve to prevail 3-1 on penalties and secure their place in the quarter-finals, ending Chicken Inn’s cup campaign in dramatic fashion.
The derby had been one of the headline fixtures of the Round of 16, with the Premier Soccer League having billed it as one of the standout clashes of the opening round.
Hardrock also advanced after edging Bulawayo Chiefs 1-0, continuing what has been an impressive campaign for the side. Their victory means the Bulawayo-based outfit will now have another opportunity to test itself against the country’s established football powers in the last eight.
Meanwhile, FC Hunters produced one of the weekend’s notable results by eliminating Herentals College with a narrow 1-0 victory.
The Round of 16 had already produced major drama on Saturday, with CAPS United edging Simba Bhora 3-2 in a five-goal thriller at Rufaro Stadium. Lloyd Njaliwa, Talent Chamboko and Tinotenda Meke were on target for the Green Machine, while Petrus Junior Simaneka scored twice for Simba Bhora.
MWOS also booked their place in the quarter-finals with a 2-0 victory over Agama at Ngoni Stadium, with Arthur Banda and Nigel Makumbe scoring in the second half. ZPC Kariba completed another upset by beating Ngezi Platinum Stars 1-0 at Baobab Stadium.
Scottland, meanwhile, had already secured their place in the last eight after overcoming FC Platinum in Friday’s tournament opener, leaving the competition with a strong field of contenders that includes several of Zimbabwe’s biggest clubs.
The quarter-finalists are therefore Dynamos, Highlanders, CAPS United, Scottland, Hardrock, MWOS, FC Hunters and ZPC Kariba.
The progression of ZPC Kariba, MWOS and Hunters underlines the open nature of the Chibuku Super Cup, where league pedigree offers no guarantee of survival. The tournament has historically provided a platform for clubs outside the traditional giants to challenge for national silverware.
The 2026 competition is particularly significant for Zimbabwean clubs, who are juggling the Chibuku Super Cup alongside the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League and the newly introduced ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup. The busy calendar has already prompted discussions around fixture congestion, with PSL clubs competing in three major competitions this season.
With the Round of 16 now complete, attention shifts to the quarter-finals, where the remaining eight sides will battle for a place in the final four.
The Chibuku Super Cup final is scheduled for November 28, with the semi-finals set for October 31 and November 1.
For the surviving clubs, the road to the Chibuku Super Cup crown is becoming shorter — but considerably tougher.
