dyton mupawaenda
Lovemore Dube
HIGHLANDERS will for the umpteenth time subject itself to a measure of good corporate governance when it plays host to the 2024 annual general meeting on January 28 and elections a week later.
It is at the annual general meeting where members will review the team’s performance in the boardroom and field with a view of arresting an 18-year-old league drought.
For decades Highlanders has alongside Zimbabwe Saints been the only clubs subjecting to these tenets of corporate management and accountability to members.
Highlanders last won the championship in 2006 when Methembe Ndlovu was coach and the late Ernest “Maphepha” Sibanda was chairman.
Since then Themba Ndlela, Peter Dube, Kenneth Mhlophe, Modern Ngwenya and incumbent Johnfat Sibanda have failed to end the barren spell.
Only in 2012 and 2013 did the club come close to the party, in both instances finishing tied on points with Dynamos only to be beaten on goal difference.
It is expected that in the review of the past year’s performance on the field, the executive will come under fire for the monumental flop which saw a side that had gone 19 matches unbeaten and at the top of the standings, eventually finishing fifth with the least number of goals scored the least in the club’s 30-year-Premiership stay.
Highlanders scored 24 in the 18-team log far much lower than in the years the league had 14 and 16 teams as expatriate coach Baltemar Brito played an ultra defensive game with more of the team’s play concentrated at the back.
In a notice flighted in yesterday’s Sunday News by club secretary-general Morgan Dube, the annual general meeting will be on January 28, 2024.
Elections have been set for the following Sunday, February 4 in which members will vote for the chairman, executive secretary and committee member.
But it is results on the field and future of the club as a going concern that members are expected to debate on extensively.
Will Bosso continue with under qualified coaches? Will the first team coach ignore Caf A and Germany trained Madinda Ndlovu to sit on the terraces or this time around he will be in the dugout unlike last season?
Highlanders and Dynamos have lost their mojo. Mining company sponsored teams and Chicken Inn look poised to be football’s new order with Caps, Dynamos and Highlanders set to be perennial mid table outfits.
They cannot match salaries and signing on fees offered by the mines despite being crowd pullers.
The trio are crying out loud for big sponsorships that will ensure they compete with Ngezi Platinum, FC Platinum, Chicken Inn, Simba Bhora and Manica Diamonds.
According to the notice convening the meeting, members will debate on minutes of the previous meeting. This will provide a discussion as to whether recommendations by members were implemented and with what degrees of success if not why perhaps remedial action taken.
The chairman’s report will be read and be subjected to a debate before adoption. Fireworks are expected as the club has failed to impress on the field and also the boardroom squabbles emanating from alleged financial scandals involving the office and management.
Online Reporter