‘Bosso’s near misses a disappointment’

Lovemore Dube  Sports Editor
THE Highlanders FC executive is getting clues in their quest for better results for the institution as  from next year as the present technical team and players have proved a big let down. Patience is a virtue that many do not have or subscribe to. It has no time limit and against high demand from fans such as the ones Bosso has, even if the team wins silverware, changes look imminent to ensure fans continue to get value for their money.

There is no room for Mr Nice or Mr Likeable, results will see one endearing himself with the masses.
In two consecutive years, they have had the championship all to lose by themselves. Last year they were pipped to the big one by Dynamos on better goal aggregate in a season where some indifferent performances and results were to blame for the so near and yet so far away from glory call.

With log leaders Dynamos being held to a 2-2 draw by Triangle and second placed Harare City sharing the spoils with Black Rhinos, it’s dawning on the millions of Bosso fans that the podium slot might not be theirs for the umpteenth time.

Highlanders, the country’s second biggest and second most successful club has not won a championship since 2006. Years of rebuilding and heartaches for the fans have run out and the executive will be expected to act at the end of the year to do away with mediocrity.

Big clubs like Dynamos, Highlanders, Kaizer Chiefs, TP Mazembe, Kabwe Warriors, Nkana Red Devils and Mamelodi Sundowns have never taken pride in having good nurseries. Their hordes of followers want results and if the cheque book can bring that success, it has been bought.

At Highlanders the challenge has been that of patronage among coaches, executive members, club members and players.
An analytical review has seemingly been a problem because of deliberately created factions meant to ensure success does not come.
Players have failed to justify why they don that black and white stripe with others not even good enough to command regular starting positions at reserve clubs of some of the Castle Lager Premiership teams.

Unnecessary rotation of players and lack of consistency and lack of ingenuity of the technical team should be to blame.
The Dynamos match in which they dominated the exchanges and fell to a late penalty was a clear demonstration of the coaches’ stubbornness or failure to read the game.

Dynamos lost defender Partson Jaure and coach Callisto Pasuwa showed why he has won two league and cup doubles in consecutive years.
He pulled out Murape Murape who seemed content on getting expelled from the match with harsh challenges and continued remonstration and brought in centreback Victor Kamhuka to maintain shape and discipline at the back.

Kelvin Kaindu and Bekithemba Ndlovu had their minds glued to the comfortable seats at the stadium not seeing that their offensive players were a big liability. To keep Dynamos under pressure bringing speed kings Beavan Chikaka and Gabriel Nyoni looked the only way to grind a result out of the match as Masimba Mambare, Bhekimpilo Ncube and Milton Ncube chased shadows all afternoon.

Questions have always been asked why some players seem favourites for Team B despite the evident talent they have. Douglas Sibanda and Simon Munawa would have made a lot of difference at the back once Innocent Mapuranga was out injured.

In most of the matches the coaches have seemingly got their selections wrong and substitutions terribly offside.
Kaindu and his technical team now have the Mbada Cup and the remaining three league matches to rescue what would be a barren two years for them and their executive led by Peter Dube.

While Dube has brought in a lot of depth as a no nonsense administrator all about ensuring good corporate governance, for many he and his army would be judged more on the result on the field.

Fans cannot phantom another year of a near miss. Many have bemoaned the lack of quality or fighting spirit seen in yesteryear players like the late Fanuel Ncube, Mercedes Sibanda, Cleopas Dlodlo, Tito Paketh, Douglas Mloyi and Madinda Ndlovu.