Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube
Zimpapers Sports Hub
A POOR pre-season last year was among the key reasons attributed to Highlanders’ disastrous performance.
Bosso survived relegation on the last day of the 2025 Castle Lager Premiership campaign and finished a disappointing 11th.
The transfer ban largely played a bigger part in the poor preparations.
Star players Devine Mhindirira, Marvelous Chigumira, Peter Muduhwa, Lynoth Chikuhwa and Godfrey Makarutse were not replaced.
But this time around, with the country set to tour Malawi, it could be different.
There could be a big difference to 2025 when Highlanders started with Kelvin Kaindu, Try Ncube and Agent Sawu and the trio lasted the first half of the season.
Ncube was thrown the challenge and despite money for players being made available by benefactor Wicknell Chivayo, he and Agent Sawu were not allowed to buy players of their choice.
August saw the arrival of Pieter de Jongh and new players and at the end of the season, Bosso slid from ninth to 11th – one of the worst finishes by the club.
De Jongh insisted he had accomplished his mission of saving the club from relegation and that reaching the semi-finals of the Chibuku Super Cup was a bonus.
Highlanders are now under Benjani Mwaruwari, a Zimbabwe football legend with a footprint in South Africa, Switzerland, France and England.
He has rubbed shoulders with some of the game’s biggest names and his arrival coincided with a US$300 000 kit to help the club and also to bring in new players.
There is renewed hope at Highlanders of better times to come as Amahlolanyama seek to travel to Malawi for a series of friendly matches and a team building 10-day sojourn.
Highlanders, who play Dynamos on February 15, will leave by road on the following day.
Hopes are high that the technical team will have concluded deals for new players and will take a group of 25 senior players and five Under-20 players. Funds for the tour are expected to come from Chivayo who has shown a keen interest in making Highlanders great again.
He has delivered his promise of a luxurious bus which is now in the country awaiting delivery.
Asked about the tour of Malawi, the Bosso chief executive officer Denzil Mnkandla said nothing had been finalised as yet.
A number of veterans have been linked to Highlanders and they include Lawrence Mhlanga, Kudakwashe Mahachi, Silas Songani, Tafadzwa Rusike, Aron Ngwenya, Rainsome Pavari, Shelton Moyo, Sherperd Mhlanga and creative midfielder Mongameli Tshuma, Hwange’s eight-goal hero last season.
Melikhaya Ncube, Arthur Ndlovu, Raphael Pitisi, Atusaye Nyondo, Martin Nhubu, Learnmore Muyambo, Mckninnon Mushore, Honest Mhlanga and Mason Mushore left the club last season.
Mathew Masinge