Wenslus Murape
Innocent Kurira in BULAWAYO
HIGHLANDERS chief executive, Sihlangu Dlodlo, says the club will be represented at the fans’ ‘boycott event’ at the clubhouse and the league game against ZPC Kariba at Barbourfields on Sunday.
A section of Bosso supporters has proposed that instead of going to Barbourfields, the fans should gather at the clubhouse and pay their gate charges directly to the club.
They say this is part of measures to raise the US$6000 fine the Premier Soccer League imposed on Bosso.
“Yes, we will attend because we are interested in both these functions,” said Dlodlo.
“I come from a marketing background.
“In marketing, the basic principle is that products compete for customers. We have a group of Highlanders supporters who have organised an event that coincides with an event organised by PSL.
“So, for us as Highlanders, we support both events, we will participate in both events and we will advertise both events.
“Where the customer votes go remains to be seen, you see. Boycott is a big word. Is it a boycott with a big B or small b?
“Because when someone gets into a shop and decides to buy Coke over Fanta it doesn’t mean they have boycotted Fanta.”
He added:
“I don’t think the fans are not happy with the US$6000 that we have been fined. If they were not happy they would not be fundraising to pay that fine.
“I take it that they are ‘happy’ with a small ‘h’ to say this is what we have, Highlanders has been fined for what happened in Shamva and that cannot be changed possibly at the moment so, as members of Highlanders, we need to find a way of helping the club pay this fine.
“If it was a boycott in true sense, these people will be asking Highlanders not to pay the US$6000 but these people are saying no, let’s work within the regulations of PSL, whether we think PSL is correct or not, let’s work within the confines of their rules and regulations.
“So, the fans are helping us to pay,” said Dlodlo.
On concerns the gathering could be a security risk, Dlodlo said:
“There is always that risk. You may want to ask the PSL the same question and say when you fixture a big game like Highlanders and Simba Bhora to be played at Wadzanai, did you assess the risk in terms of the size of the field, the emergency exit, the construction that is there and the stones that lie there?
“Did you assess the risk? In football there is always a risk.”
Fixtures:
Tomorrow: Telone v Ngezi Platinum ( Ascot), Simba Bhora v Chicken Inn (Wadzanai), Bulawayo Chiefs v Herentals (Luveve), Yadah v Arenel (Heart) Greenfuel v Manica Diamonds (Greenfuel Arena)
Sunday: Chegutu Pirates v Bikita Minerals (Baobab), Dynamos v CAPS United (Rufaro) Hwange v FC Platinum (Colliery), Highlanders v ZPC Kariba (Barbourfields)
Online Reporter