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Fungai Muderere, Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS members will today converge on their clubhouse in the city centre in what is expected to be a crunch annual general meeting (AGM) that will preside over executive elections to be held next week.
It is at the meeting that Bosso’s paid-up members will review the club’s performance in the field of play and boardroom, mapping the way forward. The meeting comes at a time when the football gods seem to have turned their backs against the black and white army, a local football crazy family that has endured a close to two decades barren stint of being eluded by the Premier Soccer League (PSL) title.
Bosso have since 2006, played second fiddle to Dynamos, Chicken Inn, CAPS United, FC Platinum and Ngezi Platinum Stars in a bid to clinch the country’s top football gong. It has been a massive 18 years of performances without a silver lining.
They only came close to clinching the league title in 2012 and 2013 under the tutelage of Zambian coach Kelvin Kaindu, interestingly a God fearing mentor who has since retraced his steps to the Bulawayo football giants ahead of the start of the 2024 season.
Last year, after going for a remarkable 19 matches unbeaten run, it was another so near yet so far story for Bosso who fizzled out of the title challenge in the second-half of the season, to gift the title trophy to Mhondoro-based Ngezi Platinum Stars on a silver platter.
Incumbent Bosso secretary-general Morgen “Gazza” Dube said members will debate on minutes of the previous meeting.
The chairman’s report will be read and subjected to a discussion before adoption. The treasurer’s report will also be presented to members, but it has since emerged that the club’s audited accounts are not yet ready, due to changes in auditing firms later in the year. Furthermore, explosives are expected as the club has been found not good enough on the field and also the office squabbles emanating from alleged financial scandals involving the office and management.
Bosso’s player recruitment drive is most likely to come under heavy scrutiny as the club has over the years turned out to be an institution that provides players with a platform to develop their talent and market themselves only to be lured by other clubs with Amahlonyama pocketing not even a single cent. The latest example is that of the departure of their former second vice-captain Mbongeni “Mbola” who was freely snatched by former champions FC Platinum.
Issues to do with the club’s mining venture are also expected to be raised and thoroughly discussed. Bosso board chairman Luke Mnkandla said it was all systems go for the meeting that will help them map the way forward.
“Everything is in place, we are ready for the meeting. It’s an annual event. Other members have always decided to stay away, we wish all the club members could come for the event so that we forge the way forward together,” said the veteran administrator.
The Bosso family is in an election mood, a development that might call for club members to tolerate each other and calm down when expressing their views at the AGM for the benefit of the country’s oldest football team.
“This time around the annual general meeting comes when we are scheduled to have our executive elections. When there are elections, there is a tendency of having groupings which I don’t want to call factions. It’s not necessary, we must compete and support the winner. Emotions are bound to be there at the meeting whether a view from a certain member is correct or not and we should guard against that. However, we are expecting to have a good meeting,” said Mnkandla.
Next Sunday, all eyes will be on Bosso’s chairmanship race which promises to be a fierce and body-hugging competition.
Incumbent Johnfat Sibanda, Kenneth Mhlophe, Nodumo Nyathi and Eddison Dube have already tabled diverse ideas and strategies meant to bring back grandeur and excitement to Highlanders. Three years ago, Sibanda, edged Mhlophe to assume Bosso’s hottest sit and the duo face a young and vibrant Nyathi who boasts of a seven point plan to transform Amahlolanyama.
Incumbent secretary-general Dube is facing two opponents in his bid to be re-elected for his position. He has Nsikelelo Moyo and Raerburn Ndebele as his opponents. Committee member, Mgcini Mafu, has decided otherwise on contesting, leaving Bhekumuzi “Mahii” Sibanda and Kindman Ndlovu to battle for the seat. -@FungaiMuderere
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