Football giants Dynamos and Highlanders have been handed a dramatic reprieve after the Premier Soccer League (PSL) took the extraordinary decision to suspend relegation for the entire 2025 season. The move, confirmed on November 18, 2025, came just days before a tense final weekend where ten clubs, including these legendary sides, were mathematically at risk of being demoted. This seismic shift in the football landscape means the dreaded drop has been postponed, granting a collective sigh of relief across the league.
The decision was reached after a vote by PSL clubs, fundamentally altering the fate of the season. According to the PSL, the suspension is part of a wider restructuring plan initially proposed by the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA). This plan will see the top-flight league undergo a significant transformation, expanding temporarily before settling at a new size. A PSL official stated the league’s position, confirming the rationale behind the unprecedented move.
This is a transitional arrangement. The clubs voted to suspend relegation to allow for a smooth expansion. We have four teams earning promotion from the regions, so we will have a 22-team league in 2026. The following season, we will revert to a 20-team league, which is the international standard.
Kwekwe United’s Amazing Comeback
One of the most stunning consequences of this decision is the reinstatement of Kwekwe United. Their relegation to the lower division had been officially confirmed two months ago, a fate that seemed inescapable. Now, they have been miraculously pulled back from the brink and will compete in the top flight for the 2026 season. For the other clubs in the relegation dogfight, including Yadah, Greenfuel, Triangle, Manica Diamonds, and Bikita Minerals, the final weekend fixtures have been stripped of their life-or-death stakes. A source within one of the saved clubs expressed the overwhelming feeling of relief.
The news, reported by Soccer24 on the morning of November 18, initially set the stage for a “dramatic PSL finale” with “nine teams all in the relegation mix.” Matches like the Harare derby between Dynamos and FC Platinum, and the clash between Chicken Inn and Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium, were poised for high drama. Now, those matches will be played without the threat of relegation looming.
A Gruelling Season Ahead and a Massive Reckoning in 2026
While the immediate danger has passed, the PSL’s new structure presents its own set of challenges and future perils. The 2026 season will be a marathon endeavour, with the expanded 22-team league requiring each club to play 42 matches. This is a significant increase from the 34 matches in the current season and will test the depth and stamina of every squad. Furthermore, the league has confirmed that the stay of execution is only temporary. The move to a 20-team league for the 2027 season will be achieved by relegating a massive six clubs at the end of the 2026 campaign. This sets up next season to be one of the most fiercely competitive and nerve-wracking in living memory, with more than a quarter of the league facing the chop.
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The post Reprieve For Dynamos, Highlanders As Zimbabwe PSL Suspends Relegation This Season appeared first on iHarare News.
