Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube and Sikhumbuzo Moyo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
HIGHLANDERS’ Benjani Mwaruwari deal is done, but the bigger story is who pushed it over the line, Wicknell Chivayo, and what his growing influence now means for how Bosso will be run going into the new season.
Zimpapers Sports Hub has seen a letter from Highlanders chief executive officer Denzil Mnkandla to Chivayo con-firming the club has reached an agreement with the former Manchester City and Warriors striker to take over as head coach.
Bosso have not yet made a public announcement, but the private correspondence shows the Bulawayo giants have already settled on the man to lead the rebuild, and it credits Chivayo not only for funding but also for “direc-tional assistance” and the recommendation that brought Benjani into the picture.
“Highlanders Football Club would like to sincerely thank you for all the financial and directional assistance to the club that you rendered this past season, 2025,” wrote Mnkandla. “The club acknowledges the splendid recom-mendation you made for the club to engage Benjani Mwaruwari in a capacity to strengthen the club, given his technical experience in the game.”
In plain terms, the letter reads like an internal confirmation that Highlanders’ biggest appointment of the off-season was driven as much by the club’s benefactor as it was by the boardroom, a reality that will sit heavily with members who want transparency on who is calling the shots at Emagumeni.
Mnkandla said the club and Mwaruwari held talks on how best the former striker could help Highlanders improve before the negotiations ended with a defined role, head coach.
“Consequently, the club and Mr Mwaruwari have come to an agreement that will see him take up the role of head coach. We believe his expertise will help steer the club in the right direction in terms of performance and excel-lence,” wrote Mnkandla.
The letter also hints at why Highlanders went for Benjani beyond the headline value of his name. The CEO says the appointment fits into the sponsor’s vision and positions Mwaruwari as a key figure in playing strategy, youth de-velopment and player pathways, areas Bosso supporters have demanded after seasons of falling short while rivals planned, recruited and kicked on.
Mnkandla appealed for continued backing from Chivayo as Highlanders enter a high-pressure campaign, with the club desperate to stop being a story of promise and start being a team that wins again.
“We are pleased to see where this agreement takes the club as we look to be guided by Mr Mwaruwari. Bosso is humbled by the love that Mr Chivayo has shown through his support and his forward-thinking approach to what is best for the club,” wrote Mnkandla.
The letter thanks Chivayo for his patience during the negotiations and singles out club curator Jabulani Nkomo as a key figure behind the scenes, a detail that underlines how many hands were on this deal before it reached the fin-ish line.
“We would also like to appreciate our curator, Mr J. Nkomo, who has been extremely helpful throughout this pro-cess and from the very start. We greatly value his input and wisdom in helping us steer the club in a positive direc-tion,” wrote Mnkandla.
Contacted on Thursday afternoon in the United Kingdom, Mwaruwari refused to confirm the appointment publicly and made it clear he would not be drawn into media talk around the Highlanders job.
“Yes, there has been interest from either side. From the beginning we agreed not to play it in the media,” said Mwaruwari. “Whatever has come out of the talks whether I come or not, it is a matter for Bosso, the sponsor and myself, otherwise I have no comment to make.”
A source close to the negotiations said the agreement is sealed and that Mwaruwari got his appointment Wednes-day and is expected in Zimbabwe soon, with his arrival likely to trigger the official announcement and a formal un-veiling of his technical team.
“Everything is sealed. He is happy about coming to coach a team he dreamt of playing for as a kid until he played for its juniors,” said the source. “He is aware of the task ahead and has accepted that he will work with all the coaches that the club has already appointed.”
That last line is where the next Bosso story begins. Benjani is walking into a technical set-up that is already taking shape, and the question now is not whether he is coming, but how power will be shared once he arrives.
Mwaruwari is expected to work with South African coach Thabo Senong and assistant coach Mkhokheli Dube, with a goalkeepers’ trainer and other technical staff still to be announced as Highlanders finalise their bench. Dube has been in charge during the off-season, working with physical trainer Majaha Ndlovu, and sources say he will remain part of the set-up as the club transitions into a new era under Benjani.
The appointment is also tied to the other issue Bosso supporters have been shouting about all summer, recruit-ment money and the ability to bring in quality players after years of trading with thin reserves while competitors strengthened.
Sources say discussions around Chivayo’s involvement have included funding for player acquisitions, a critical point as Highlanders try to close the gap on the clubs that have set the pace in recent seasons.
Money captures any thing. Let’s not fool ourselves here. Highlanders has been captured, period! Ngezi Platinum were not naive to fire Benjani. He has not coached a team anywhere in this world. How then can he be elevated to head coach a team like Highlanders? Besides, the intention at Highlanders is to try and restore it’s dominance in Zimbabwe football. Why then do its management think it can achieve that by recruiting a palooka to head coach position? Benjani should have come in at most on number 3 position in the coaching ranks. Chivhayo will destroy Highlanders. We are tired of his lies. Cde John Nkomo (MHSRIP) would never have recommended Benjani, a novice by all standards, to revive Highlanders’ glory. Let’s wait and see. I bet Highlanders will be fighting relegation again this season. Mark my word!