Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira
HIGHLANDERS chairman Kenneth Mhlophe says the club’s financial situation is improving, thanks to a major sponsorship deal with King’s Bullion and progress in talks with principal sponsors Sakunda Holdings over a new deal.
King’s Bullion, a key partner, has entered into a renewable US$300 000 sponsorship agreement with the Bulawayo giants.
The sponsorship, which was announced on Wednesday evening, is set to provide the much-needed financial stability as the team prepare for the new season.
The new deal with King’s Bullion joins the club’s existing sponsorship and partnerships with BetterBrands, Nyaradzo, Sanctuary and Utande.
Mhlophe said:
“We are really grateful to our new sponsors who have come in at a critical stage of our season’s preparations.
“The money they have poured into the club will be used towards the welfare of the first team while we continue to negotiate with our principal sponsors, Sakunda Holdings, over a new deal,” said Mhlophe.
Highlanders players are still owed two months’ salaries.
Mhlophe assured fans the club was doing everything possible to resolve the situation.
“We are grateful to King’s Bullion for coming on board and we are hopeful the sponsorship will go a long way in assisting the team during the course of the season.
“We are doing everything in our power to ensure our players are paid all they are owed and are ready to deliver positive results.
“Despite the tough situation we find ourselves in, l am happy the players have shown commitment to work while we resolve the situation.”
Highlanders are also actively working on securing sponsorship for their women’s and junior teams, ensuring that they are not neglected.
“We are doing our best to ensure our junior teams and ladies’ teams also get sponsorship. We are running around to ensure by the time the games start, these teams also have their own sponsorship,” said Mhlophe.
Highlanders are set to kick off their 2025 PSL season with an away match against MWOS at Baobab on Sunday.
MWOS bought the ZPC Hwange franchise after an unsuccessful Northern Region championship campaign.
They have signed some high-profile players such as former Dynamos goalkeeper Martin Mapisa, ex-CAPS United left-back Innocent Zambezi, and ex-Ngezi Platinum Stars striker Claude Mapoka.
Highlanders have bolstered their squad with the addition of 19-year-old winger Mafious Junior Chiweta from Ajax Hotspurs.
Mathew Masinge