Abstract
Football is one of the most emotive cultural forms through which people experience and express
nationalism. The study demonstrates intersections of Zimbabwean Premier Soccer League (PSL)
team- Highlanders FC fandom and Ndebele ethnic nationalism in Zimbabwe. This nationalism
challenges state narratives of a ‘united Zimbabwe’ and advocates for secession of Bulawayo and
Matabeleland provinces to form an ‘independent Ndebele nation’. Literature on Zimbabwean
football has under-theorised its interface with football discourse. The author was an observer as
participant in Zimbabwean football stadia for a four- year period observing terrace rituals
especially songs and chants during Highlanders FC matches. In-depth interviews were also
conducted with selected fans to get clarity on observed issues. The study concludes that while
discussing secession is criminalised and condemned as ‘tribalism’ in Zimbabwe, Highlanders FC
fandom is a critical site where some people express feelings and aspirations towards
establishment of a separate ‘independent Ndebele nation’.