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Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
HISTORY does not repeat itself quietly at Highlanders — it returns with pressure. 28 years after Bosso stared down bankruptcy, attached properties and an unpaid dressing room, the club heads into Sunday’s annual general meeting in Bulawayo weighed down by a familiar fear. Highlanders are understood to be about US$500 000 in debt, and the atmosphere around Emagumeni has shifted sharply from chasing trophies to ensuring survival.
In 1998, the crisis was public and unforgiving. The clubhouse, offices and Hotel California were headed for auction. Players were disgruntled and owed money. A new leadership team, led by chairman Roger Muhlwa, alongside secretary Peter Dube, treasurer Lazarus Sibanda, vice chairman Shadreck Sibanda and committee member Liqhwa Gama, inherited a mess that threatened to bury the institution.
On the pitch, Bosso were also coming apart. Madinda Ndlovu stepped down and Ernest Sibanda was appointed manager, leaving the club needing a new coach and a new identity at exactly the same time.
The gamble that rescued Highlanders came from within. The club turned to former player Rahman Gumbo, then an unheralded coach whose experience stretched only as far as Division Two. It looked like desperation but proved to be a masterstroke. Gumbo delivered two successive league titles and left behind a foundation that continued to win under Eddie May.
That revival was built on ruthless decisions. A combination of age and injury forced out familiar names such as Willard Khumalo, Johannes Tshuma, Mercedes Sibanda, Amin Soma Phiri, Abraham Mbambo, Dumaza Dube and Kelvin Kaindu. Bosso then scoured the lower divisions and fringe markets for hunger rather than reputation. Players like Dazzy Kapenya, spotted at Corrugated FC, and recruits such as Blessing Gumiso from relegated Mutare United helped piece together a new spine.
The renewal did not stop there. Highlanders later added Joel Luphahla, Sautso Phiri, Tapuwa Kapini, Darlington Phiri, Joe Kabemba, Britto Gwere, the late Adam Ndlovu, Charles Chilufya and Richard Choruma, and Bosso went on to become the second club in Zimbabwean football history to win four consecutive league titles.
Muhlwa says the club was already sinking by the time they arrived.
“Highlanders had been declared insolvent and heavy in debt, its properties had been attached and ready for auction. Our stars of the past decade were over the hill and now a problem at the club. Serious decisions were to be made which meant retiring some and releasing some to other clubs like Lovemore Ncube and Lenny Gwata to Dynamos,” he said.
He said the rebuild succeeded because the club chose youth over entitlement.
“I am happy when we said those that want to play for Highlanders on one side and those who want money on the other end, we had a very good response from the young and unheralded players who defied all odds to make Highlanders successful with their performances,” said Muhlwa.
He also credits a deliberate change in recruitment philosophy.
“We encouraged coaches to go and watch lower division teams in Bulawayo to identify players and I am proud Rahman Gumbo and Benjamin Moyo listened and helped us assemble a team that went on to dominate four years,” said Muhlwa, who did not seek re election in 2000.
The finances were managed with blunt discipline. Muhlwa said they approached the bank with the argument that a football club’s biggest assets are its players. To recover, Bosso needed to play attractive football, fill the stadium and begin generating gate takings again.
Bank manager Devine Ngwenya agreed to a strict arrangement. Bank staff were deployed as cashiers, and gate receipts were deposited directly for deductions.
“The boys played exceptionally well and stadia began to fill up and we cleared the debts. Roadshows were born, wherever we played, it was record crowds as people came to watch beautiful football that was being played by these boys,” said Muhlwa.
That is why Sunday’s AGM carries such familiar weight. Highlanders are again broke, again about US$500 000 in debt, and again staring at a rebuild they cannot simply buy their way out of.
The player drain has already left a gaping hole. Peter Muduwa, Devine Mhindirira, Mckinnon Mushore, Mason Mushore, Marvelous Chigumira, Lynoth Chikuhwa, Melikhaya Ncube, Godfrey Makaruse, Mafios Chihweta, Ray Lunga, Mbongeni Ndlovu and Raphael Pitisi have all departed in recent times.
Now Benjani Mwaruwari, Thabo Senong and Mkhokheli Dube stand where Gumbo and his generation once stood — under pressure to win without money, and to rebuild even as supporters demand instant success.
Highlanders have confirmed the arrivals of former Chicken Inn goalkeeper Pride Zendera, Mongameli Tshuma, Tawanda Shenje from Hwange, Royn Nyamono from Bikita Minerals and Rayton Chuma from Nust. Shelton Moyo and Shepherd Mhlanga from FC Platinum, as well as Rainsome Pavari from Manica Diamonds, are also being linked with moves to Bulawayo. Muhlwa says this revival, like the last, will not be decided by nostalgia, but by the quality of leadership guiding the club through its latest moment of truth.
Londile Moyo
Online Reporter