Bosso to play international team in 100 years celebration

AN international soccer match, better still, a four-team tournament, could be the highlight of the Highlanders’ centennial celebrations this year.

Highlanders are in the process of getting international clearances to play clubs in their 100 Years Celebrations next month.

This was disclosed by Highlanders chief executive officer Denzil Mnkandla on Friday at the launch of yet another big event to mark the club’s turning 100 years, a charity golf tournament.

Fans have been eager to hear what Bosso has in store as a major event to mark the milestone.

Mnkandla told the media that they were seized with getting necessary clearances but could not disclose the opposition.

“We are in the process of getting necessary clearances; at this stage, we cannot divulge much,” said the soft-spoken Bosso CEO.

There has been talk of a potential match with two South African clubs with a massive following in Bulawayo and a shared past of international friendlies, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. In the 1970s, these two teams were regular visitors to Bulawayo in tours that resulted in the late Onias Musana, Max ‘Shaluza’ Tshuma, Douglas Maneto and living legend Ebson ‘Sugar’ Muguyo turning out for South African clubs before Independence.

Another possible giant to play Highlanders is TP Mazembe of Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
At some stage, there was talk of a four-team tournament involving two Zimbabwean clubs, Scottland and

Highlanders.

The club has previously said that once all the dots are ticked, they will advise the nation of further 100 Years Celebrations engagements.

Highlanders will play host to a golf tournament at Bulawayo Country Club and it is expected to attract a fairly good field of regulars and some other high-profile personalities.

On Friday, Luke Mnkandla and his deputy, Nicholas Nyathi, celebrations charity golf organisers Roger Muhlwa and

Martin Chikwana, Bosso resource mobilisation member Morris Mpala and the chief executive officer Mnkandla were at the presser to announce the staging of the event.
It is expected to be a high-profile event to attract a good field of corporate golfers and ordinary citizens willing to play

and contribute towards assisting former players and the junior development project.
Participants will pay US$400 for four players to constitute a team.

Brian Gondo, a Bulawayo-based professional golfer is the event convener.

Club legend Lawrence Phiri, a success as a player and team manager with over 20 winners’ medals at the club’s soccer code, is spearheading a family fun day set for October to bring together several sporting disciplines.

Over the past 40 years, Highlanders has had athletics, basketball, boxing, darts, hockey, netball, rugby, table tennis and volleyball among the affiliated sporting disciplines and some flourished.

Bosso was formed by the grandsons of Lobengula, Albert and Rhodes, Ngcebetsha and Hlabangana brothers, in 1926.