Dynamos supporters have expressed deep frustration and disappointment after the club was excluded from the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup, with many blaming the executive for failing to communicate the club’s financial challenges and seek assistance before the situation escalated.

The latest setback comes barely a year after Dynamos withdrew from continental football in 2025 due to financial constraints. At the time, many supporters had hoped the club would use the break to stabilise its finances and rebuild towards a return to African competition.

Those hopes were shattered when the Harare giants were omitted from the 56-team CAF Confederation Cup draw after FIFA enforced a sanction linked to an unresolved financial dispute with former head coach Saul Chaminuka.

Chaminuka had lodged a complaint with FIFA seeking approximately US$13,000 in unpaid salary arrears. Although Dynamos reportedly made a last-minute attempt to settle the matter by paying half of the outstanding amount shortly before the deadline, FIFA rejected the partial payment and upheld the club’s exclusion from the competition.

For many Dynamos loyalists, however, the issue extends beyond the debt itself. Supporters argue that the exclusion is a symptom of deeper governance and leadership problems that have plagued the club.

One long-time supporter who spoke to ZimNow Sport said fans were not angry about the club's financial difficulties, but rather the executive’s failure to openly acknowledge them.

"Our major disappointment is that, for a very long time, we have realised that our executives do not want to face reality. We know the reality of Zimbabwean football. There is no money. Dynamos says the club does not have money, and we understand that. Even the league is struggling, and football is not generating profits," he said.

According to the supporter, fans would have been willing to assist had the leadership been transparent about the challenges facing the club.

"The executive was supposed to come forward and tell us what the problem was so that we could help from every angle possible. Instead, they want to appear as if everything is okay when things are not okay. They keep promising that issues will be sorted out, but the results on the ground say otherwise," he added.

The sentiments were echoed across social media platforms, where supporters questioned how a club of Dynamos’ stature could miss out on continental football over what many viewed as a manageable financial obligation.

One supporter, identified as Sk Sk, said the club’s biggest challenge was no longer the competition on the pitch but leadership failures off it.

"Dynamos’ biggest opponent is no longer the team on the pitch; it is the people running the club. A giant of African football missing CAF competition over a relatively small financial shortfall is an embarrassing indictment of failed leadership. Supporters deserve competent governance, not endless excuses," he wrote.

Another fan, Benson Bhunu, called for a change in leadership, arguing that the executive had failed to demonstrate a clear vision for the club.

"This executive must just resign and let competent people run the club. All these months they failed to raise US$5,500. It does not make sense," he said.

Frank James also blamed what he described as pride and poor decision-making within the leadership structure.

"The problem is the chairman. They were supposed to seek assistance from supporters, but because of ego and pride they believed they could handle everything on their own," he said.

The criticism has been amplified by comparisons with fellow Bulawayo giants Highlanders, who recently turned to supporters for financial assistance to help cover player wages. The fundraising appeal received strong backing from Bosso supporters, demonstrating the potential power of fan-driven initiatives during difficult financial periods.

Several Dynamos supporters believe their club could have pursued a similar route had the executive been more open about its challenges.

"Look at Highlanders. They were honest with everyone involved and asked for help. Dynamos should have done the same and asked supporters to contribute. Many people would have donated," said the supporter who spoke to ZimNow Sport.

Another supporter, Denzil Karima, questioned why fans were never given the opportunity to assist.

"So the club failed to ask us for assistance, even a five-dollar donation to help save the situation? These guys need to drop their ego and pride," he said.

Others were more scathing in their assessment of the leadership.

"When a big brand is led by buffoons. You owe US$13,000 and fail to clear it despite knowing the consequences. Aim for the next round and get more funding. This was avoidable," said supporter Anaphie Mbonia.