Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere, Zimpapers Sports Hub
IN a rare show of personal commitment in local football, Highlanders head coach Hendrikus Pieter de Jongh has dug deep into his own pocket, giving his players a total of US$4 000 as they chase Chibuku Super Cup glory.
Yesterday, the Dutchman told reporters he isn’t in Zimbabwe to make money.
“Everyone thinks I’m here for money. That is not. I’m a football person and I’m here for football,” said De Jongh. “I do a lot of things here in Africa. I don’t rely on football, I like the game, what I do is not for me but for the team.”
De Jongh first splashed out US$2 000 after Bosso edged Herentals in the opening round. He repeated the gesture following Sunday’s quarter-final victory, handing another US$2 000 to captain Ariel “Mangoye” Sibanda in front of assistant coaches Try Ncube and Agent Sawu.
“This is not the first time he has done this,” said a smiling Sibanda. “When we beat Herentals in the first round, he also gave us US$2 000 to share. It’s his way of motivating the team, and we are very grateful.”
Highlanders last lifted the Chibuku Cup under De Jongh in 2019, when Prince Dube’s wonder strike sank Ngezi Platinum Stars at a packed Barbourfields Stadium. The coach now hopes to repeat that success.
Sunday’s clash with Scottland turned Barbourfields into a carnival. Fans sang and danced long after the final whistle as Highlanders restored the fortress aura of their home ground, which had recently been dented by upsets from smaller teams like Herentals.
Scottland, resplendent in designer suits and arriving in a luxury bus, were left stunned by Bosso’s relentless energy.
Their expensive preparations could not buy the one thing Highlanders showed in abundance, heart.
As the sun set over Barbourfields, the echo of victory chants told the story. Money can buy stars, but not glory.
— @FungaiMuderere
