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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
THE departure of Milton Ncube and Peter “Rio” Moyo from Highlanders FC in June has led to sensational revelations that the Bulawayo giants only had three contracted players in their books at the beginning of the year. Moyo and Ncube who joined Highlanders from Quelaton and Motor Action respectively at the beginning of the 2012 season are heading for greener pastures in South Africa in June and Bosso will not get a dime from their moves.
The two went for the January Chan finals in South Africa without contracts with Highlanders and following a successful tournament, they managed to attract interest from Absa Premiership clubs.
Moyo is heading to Mpumalanga Black Aces where he will join countrymen Method Mwanjali, Energy Murambadoro and Tendai Ndoro while Ncube is believed to be going to Ajax Cape Town, or AmaZulu of Durban and home to Tapiwa Kapini as well as Carrington Nyadombo.
Highlanders’ secretary Andrew Tapela who was assigned to negotiate player contracts together with club treasurer Jerry Sibanda revealed on the sidelines of Bosso’s 2014 kit unveiling ceremony that they worked tirelessly to sign players.
“Like you rightfully reported at the end of the year, we were faced with a possibility of a player exodus as we only had three contracted players Innocent Mapuranga, Bruce Kangwa and Simon Munawa. We did our best to assemble a squad that we have now and after seeing Masimba Mambare and Njabulo Ncube leaving, we had to act fast.
“So, when Milton and Peter returned from Chan and told us their position, obviously we had to act fast because our rivals were going to agree to have them up to mid-season and imagine what they would have done playing for our rivals? We did what we thought was best for the club,” said Tapela.
There were rumours that Harare giants Dynamos were among the clubs that were keen on Ncube and Moyo.
Highlanders’ board chairman Mgcini Nkolomi defended their executive for engaging the two players who did not get signing on fees in January when they renewed their stay at the club for six months saying the duo was “influential in reviving the Bosso brand.”
“Moyo and Ncube did not formally renew contracts with the club and there is no commitment between Highlanders and these players. The only thing that the club is doing is to pay these players because they are offering their services to Highlanders.
“The reason why the club agreed to have the two stay with us until they leave for South Africa in the mid-season was because they were influential in reviving the Highlanders brand in the last two seasons. When they came to Bosso, very few players wanted to be associated with the club and now because of their services to Highlanders, we are getting quality players wanting to play for us. Now we have the bargaining power because of these guys,” Nkolomi said.
He said in future they will guard against negotiating from a “weak point” and use their bargaining power to tie down players to contracts.
“We understand the concerns of our members that the club has once again been used as a career springboard by some players but that is a thing of the past. The same players (Ncube and Moyo) will be our reference points when negotiating long term contracts with the players because it is Highlanders that gave these players a stage to attract national team players. It shows that Highlanders as an institution is capable of moulding the so-called rejects into competitive players and that is what we will ride on,” said Nkolomi.
From the tone of the Highlanders supremo, Bosso look hopeful of re-signing Ncube and Moyo on their terms should their imminent moves hit a brick wall due to changed circumstanes at the South African clubs.
Ajax Cape Town, where Ncube is destined, hired Roger De Sa who was with Orlando Pirates when the player attracted interest from the Capetonians during the Chan tournament.
About players’ commitment to the club’s cause as there are fears that the duo might not exert themselves fully fearing injuries, Nkolomi said it would be unprofessional for Ncube and Moyo to do so as they risk being dropped from the squad.
“I am not a technical person but I know that if they don’t perform the coach won’t use them. I think it will be sad if they decide not to apply themselves because that can affect their careers as they want to move on top of their game,” said Nkolomi.
Online Reporter