Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
HIGHLANDERS have turned to nomadic coach Pieter de Jongh to salvage the club from the jaws of relegation.
De Jongh arrived in the company of manager Netsai Moyo at Tuesday afternoon’s training session.
In clear breach of ettiquette, the Dutch coach went on to introduce himself to the players and technical team.
“He introduced himself to the coaches and us saying the club was working on his work permit. All the time the manager who probably should have been the one to introduce us to de Jongh stood by and watched in disbelief,” said one player.
De Jongh is replacing Kelvin Kaindu who was fired last month.
De Jongh is said to have told the executive that he will bring four players including one believed to be a Namibian recommended to him by one of his former assistants.
Highlanders have been short of talent from juniors and their inactivity on the transfer market has left fans and members angry.
There is mounting pressure on Kenneth Mhlophe to save Highlanders.
The house is on fire amid a mirage of financial irregularities.
Highlanders spokesperson Nozibelo Maphosa has been mum on whether de Jongh would be joining Amahlolanyama since Monday.
The coach a 2019 Chibuku Super Cup winner with Bosso, has had almost half a dozen jobs after ditching the Bulawayo giants in 2019.
Bosso has lost key personnel in recent years like the late Brian Banda, Adrian Silla, Marvelous Chigumira, Peter Mudihwa, Godfrey Makaruse, Mbongeni Ndlovu, Divine Mhindirira and Lynoth Chikuhwa only to bring in mediocre players.
Mafios Chihweta who was brought in at the beginning of the year has joined Scottland FC in a US$50 000 in a move that has riled supporters over the relationship with Betterbrands, who are the sponsors and owners of Scottland, coincidentally the Bosso backers.
Instead of strengthening the club, the sponsors have since the beginning taken five key players from Bosso, Chikuhwa, Muduhwa, Chigumira, Makaruse and Chihweta.
Highlanders are ninth on the log and desperate for points to move off relegation.
derick.khumalo
Stop this nonsense in our football please. How can one person sponsor two teams in the same league? That’s a violation of football ethics and a conflict of interest. BetterBrands is destroying Highlanders. The network is tight. Chivhayo is Sakupwanya’s friend and sponsors both Highlanders and Sakupwanya’s Scottland. Sakupwanya sponsors Highlanders, a team in the same league as his Scottland then he goes on to poach players from Highlanders. Chivhayo gives Highlanders money to employ a useless coach. Don’t people see what is happening? There is an intricate scheme to destroy Highlanders and tarnish our football.