Highlanders FC

In the 19th century, colonial authorities sought to appease the Ndebele King Lobengula by proposing that his grandsons be sent to study in the Cape Province of South Africa. In 1926, the two brothers returned from South Africa. Albert had completed his studies in agriculture at Tsolo Agricultural School, while Rhodes had studied bookkeeping at Lovedale Institute. Both brothers had taken up football as an extracurricular activity. Rhodes continued his involvement in the sport and went on to form a team called the Lions Football Club, primarily composed of boys born in Makokoba, Bulawayo's oldest township.

In 1936, the players renamed the team to Matebeleland Highlanders Football Club. In 1966, the Rhodesia National Football League (RNFL) invited Highlanders to join the league. They agreed, and they were placed in the 2nd Division two years later. Highlanders finished at the top of the table in their first season and were promoted to Division One.

In 1970, Highlanders entered the Super League. However, after securing only 7 points, the team was relegated to the first division. They returned to the top flight in 1971. In 1972, Tony McIlveen, a player from Northern Ireland who had previously played semi-professionally for Irish League side Crusaders, joined the Highlanders. Though not tall, McIlveen's work rate and dynamism in midfield proved valuable to the team. In 1973, Highlanders won the Chibuku Trophy, defeating the high-profile Mangula side at Rufaro Stadium. In 1976, the club became dissatisfied with the national football administration under John Madzima. As a result, Highlanders withdrew from the RNFL and helped establish the South Zone Soccer League (SZSL). This move led to a split within the club, with some senior members leaving to form a breakaway team called Olympics, which also adopted the Highlanders' black and white strip. Despite this, Highlanders remained intact. By 1979, several Harare-based clubs supported Highlanders’ stance against the national association, citing issues such as unfair gate revenue distribution, flawed financial accounting, and biased treatment of select teams. These efforts culminated in the formation of the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL).

In 1980, the NPSL and RNFL were merged to create the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA). In 1986, several senior Highlanders players left the club following disputes with executives over finances. The club responded by promoting apprentices to the senior team.

Between 1999 and 2002, Highlanders won the Zimbabwe Premier League four times in succession. They were coached by Rahman Gumbo in 1999 and 2000. Gumbo was dismissed after failing to advance in the African Champions League’s group stages. Eddie May took over in 2001 and led the team to back-to-back league titles. In 2006, Highlanders last won the league title under the leadership of former midfielder Methembe Ndlovu. The squad included players such as Vusa Nyoni, Johannes Ngodzo, Honour Gombami, Ralph “Banolila” Matema, and Obadiah Tarumbwa.

In Zimbabwe, players from Highlanders who have played at the highest level of professional football in the world include Benjamin Nkonjera.

Highlanders is the second-most supported club in Zimbabwe with over 5 million supporters, after Dynamos who have over 7 million supporters. The support for these two clubs has tribal origins, as Highlanders are supported by both Ndebele-speaking people and those residing in the Matebeleland region.