Vusumuzi Dube
Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS Football Club will start using their 2023 edition playing kit in their next Castle Lager Premier Soccer League game at home to Hwange.
Bosso took delivery to two new designs out of the four playing kits last week. The traditional black and white Zebra strip (Amawaba), the symbol of Highlanders that Bosso uses for most of their home games and some away matches is one of the two kits that they have received.
Amahlolanyama also received the predominantly white kit whose top has some black patches.
The two tops that Bosso has released gel in with either white or black shorts.
Last season, Highlanders had an all-black kit as their second home jersey, whose design they have improved.
The second home kit is black at the top that fades into white from the centre to the bottom of the jersey.
Highlanders has replaced the all red alternative kit with a predominantly white kit that has a red hem and collar.
Highlanders, whose technical partners are OTB Looks, said fans should expect the replicas next month.
Peter Chiveso, the OTB Looks chief executive officer apologised for late delivery of the 2023 playing kits.
Besides Highlanders, OTB Look are technical sponsors of Dynamos, Manica Diamonds, Premiership newcomers Simba Bhora as well as Zifa Northern Region Division One Soccer League side MWOS.
“The delay was due to an internal OTB ordering issue that clashed with the January Chinese holidays.
We have apologised to the clubs and wish to extend the apology to all the valued fans. The first batch of replicas will be available mid-May.
To avoid a similar occurrence, we will start working and processing orders mid-season to ensure that 2024 kits are in the country by December 2023,” Chiveso promised.
Meanwhile, Highlanders, as well as Dynamos have been losing a significant amount of revenue from merchandise sales to people dealing in counterfeit products.
“Counterfeits are a real issue and the clubs are looking into working with law enforcement authorities to crackdown on this illicit trade.
Cheap fake replicas are hemorrhaging the clubs financially as potential revenue never reaches the club coffers.
Only a handful selfish unscrupulous business people benefit at the expense of the club and players.
A campaign to educate and encourage fans to buy original merchandise is key.
Buying original merchandise brings revenue directly to the club and this money helps to run the clubs better and pay player wages, bonuses and sign on fees,” Chiveso said.
Two years ago, Chiveso told this publication that Highlanders were selling more replica shirts compared to Dynamos.
According to Chiveso, Bosso fans buy their team’s regalia as a sign of loyalty while DeMbare supporters only want to associate with the Glamour Boys when the team is winning.
— Follow on Twitter @ZililoR
Online Reporter