Tadious Manyepo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
HIGHLANDERS defender Andrew Mbeba came within just 24 hours of joining Dynamos ahead of the 2026 season.
That is how close Bosso came to losing one of their key assets to their biggest rivals.
After the expiry of his initial six-year stay at Highlanders, Mbeba was reluctant to stay on and several clubs made moves including the Glamour Boys.
A cool US$30 000 sign-on fee for the defender was quickly put together to get the lanky defender to Harare and on the eve of the first instalment of the Battle of Zimbabwe tie between the rivals, Mbeba was supposed to put pen to paper.
But Highlanders couldn’t let this happen under their nose.
The Bulawayo giants then literally broke the bank to retain him, actually buying a house to keep him at Barbourfields.
That’s how Mbeba finally accepted to stay put.
And Highlanders must be beating their chests as the investment was never in vain.
Mbeba has been one of Highlanders’ best players this season, playing a key role in keeping the team’s competitiveness in a year the centennial team has been rocked by endless strikes due to erratic salary settlements.
Mbeba was in his usual top form when helping Bosso fight back twice to earn them a 2-2 draw against TelOne at Barbourfields on Sunday in what was the last home game in the league for them in a year they are celebrating 100 years of existence.
He led from the front and notched his 10th assist of the season with his lofted freekick headed home by double-scorer Isaac Ngoma for Bosso’s second goal.
He is now the leading assist provider in the league despite the fact that he is mostly deployed in the Benjani Mwaruwari’s preferred back three formation.
Mwaruwari said: “Yes Mbeba is a top player and the way he continues to lead the rest of the team is incredible.
“He is a team player who is always rising to the occasion.”
It was Mbeba as well who provided the pin-point assist for Reason Sibanda to peg back CAPS United in the Chibuku Super Cup semifinal at Rufaro last week with Bosso subsequently proceeding to the finals where they will play Hardrock at the top of this month.
“I am happy for Highlanders,” said Mbeba.
“This club has done a lot for me. They showed me love. They showed me that they believe in me. When Dynamos came, Highlanders fought for me. They bought me a house. That is not small. That shows how much they value me.
“I will always be grateful for that. That is why I give everything on the pitch. I play with my heart for this club.”
Mbeba’s influence this season cannot be overstated.
The defender has helped Highlanders reach the Chibuku Super Cup final, where they will play Hardrock on November 28.
It is a final that could save Bosso’s season, and Mbeba has been at the heart of the journey.
“It has been a difficult season, but we have kept fighting,” said Mbeba.
“There were strikes, there were problems with salaries, there were many challenges. But as players, we had to keep going. We had to keep playing for the badge, for the fans, for the club.
“Highlanders is a big club. The fans expect us to fight. Even when things are difficult, we have to fight. I am happy that we have managed to stay afloat and reach the final.”
Now, Mbeba is confident Highlanders can finish the season on a high.
The league season has been left with only one game, and Bosso want to finish strongly.
But the biggest prize is the Chibuku Super Cup.
“I am confident we will win the Chibuku Super Cup,” said Mbeba.
“We have worked hard to reach the final. We beat CAPS United in the semifinal, which was not easy. Now we have one more game against Hardrock. We respect them, but we believe in ourselves.
“We want to win it for the fans. They have suffered with us this season. They have stood with us through the strikes, through the difficult times. Winning the cup will be a reward for them.”
