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Zimbabwean businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei has poured $2.5 million into Dynamos Football Club, the country’s most successful football club, in a move to stabilize the club financially and support its ambitions both in domestic competitions and in Africa.
The sponsorship, through Sakunda Holdings, comes ahead of the 2026 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season and is expected to cover player sign-on fees, salaries, daily operations, and Dynamos’ campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup later this year.
Reports also indicate that Sakunda Holdings bought a 2025 Toyota Fortuner for the club’s board chairperson and majority shareholder, Bernard Lusengo, further signaling Tagwirei’s commitment to the team’s management.
Historic Dynamos FC dominates Zimbabwe leagues
Dynamos FC, based at Rufaro Stadium in Mbare, Harare, was founded in 1963 by Sam Dauya. The club was created to give Black players opportunities after Salisbury’s all-white clubs—Salisbury City and Salisbury United—disbanded. In its first season, Dynamos won the national championship, finishing ahead of the white-dominated Salisbury Callies.
The team claimed successive titles in 1965 and 1966, becoming the first Black club to consistently challenge the Rhodesia National Football League. By Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, Dynamos had already secured six league titles. Since then, the club has amassed 22 league championships and at least 16 major cup trophies. Lusengo, who holds a 51 percent stake, remains chairman despite executive changes and discussions with Sakunda Holdings.
Kudakwashe Tagwirei oversees Sakunda’s broad operations
Kudakwashe Tagwirei, a leading commodities trader, leads Sakunda Holdings’ broad operations and subsidiaries across energy, mining, logistics and trading. The group imports and distributes diesel, petrol, renewable biofuel, and kerosene to Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia.
He has long-standing ties to Zimbabwe’s ruling elite and remains under international sanctions for his political connections. In September 2025 sources estimated Tagwirei contributed at least $2 million to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s 83rd birthday and Munhumutapa Day celebrations in Zvishavane, including more than $240,000 spent on catering alone.
Politically connected businessmen under Zimbabwe spotlight
In October 2025 a leaked dossier implicated Tagwirei in the alleged mismanagement of $3.2 billion in state contracts. The report also names Wicknell Chivayo, Delish Nguwaya, Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya and Paul Tungwarara, whose networks allegedly diverted public funds, thus leaving hospitals underfunded and key infrastructure projects unfinished.
The allegations have increased scrutiny of Tagwirei’s role as a business leader with political connections. His recent financial support for Dynamos FC expands his influence into sports, connecting business, politics and football in Zimbabwe. This highlights his financial capacity and his ability to affect public life further reinforcing his position across multiple sectors.
