Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere, Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE medical room at Highlanders is, for the moment, a ghost town — and that is exactly how the Bulawayo giants want it. The squad has emerged from their recent gauntlet of clinical examinations with a clean bill of health, a massive relief for a club looking to hit the ground running.
In the modern game, these medicals are far more than a mere formality; they are a forensic deep-dive into the human machine. Before a ball is even kicked, players are subjected to comprehensive health checks that scrutinise every fibre of their being, from assessing overall fitness and hunting for hidden injury risks to verifying physical suitability through a battery of heart tests, blood work, and advanced imaging like MRI and X-rays. It is a vital exercise in safeguarding both the club’s heavy investment and the long-term well-being of the players.
These assessments are a gruelling marathon of their own, often lasting hours as doctors evaluate cardiovascular endurance, musculoskeletal power, and flexibility to unearth any underlying conditions that could derail a season. It is a high-stakes process where a single red flag can collapse a transfer in an instant. For a club like Bosso, these tests serve as an essential shield, protecting them from the catastrophe of signing or renewing contracts for players carrying the ticking time bomb of a career-ending injury.
This year, the vital work was carried out between January 5 and 7 as the squad reconvened, ensuring the foundation of the campaign was built on solid ground.
Reflecting on the successful screening process, Highlanders chief executive officer Denzel Mnkandla provided a glowing update on the state of the roster.
“From the reports, all players involved in the assessments are in good health and are fit to participate in this stage of the preseason,” said Mnkandla.
This news comes as a massive boost as Bosso, alongside their rivals in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL), ramp up the intensity of a pre-season period thick with the scent of anticipation for the 2026 campaign.
The landscape at Barbourfields has shifted significantly during the hiatus. The footballing giants have orchestrated a ruthless refresh of their ranks, parting ways with several familiar names to make room for five fresh faces. Among the new arrivals is Pride Zendera, a man seeking a fresh start after a period of inactivity. He marches into the black and white army alongside Mongameli Tshuma and Tawanda Shenje, the latter arriving from Hwange. Joining this new-look brigade are Royn Nyamono from Bikita Minerals and the intriguing addition of Rayton Chuma from the National University of Science and Technology (Nust).
However, every new beginning necessitates an end, and the club has bid farewell to a significant contingent of players. The departures of Mason Mushore, Mckinnon Mushore, Melikhaya Mthabisi Ncube, and Honest Mhlanga signal a clear changing of the guard, with Nqobile Ndlovu, Martin Nhubu, Atusaye Nyondo, and Learnmore Muyambo also heading for the exit.
To lead this revolution, Bosso have turned to the tactical mind of South African mentor Thabo Senong, installing him as the new head coach. In a move that has resonated deeply with the faithful, former player Mkhokheli Dube has returned to the fold as assistant coach — a homecoming that has injected a palpable sense of belief into the dressing room.
Dube’s return is viewed as a masterstroke for the club’s internal chemistry. As a man who has lived and breathed the club’s ethos, he is a revered figure within the Bosso family whose intimate knowledge of the club’s unique culture, values, and traditions will be instrumental in bridging the gap between the technical bench and the pitch. While the current roster is taking shape, Highlanders have hinted that the rebuilding process is not yet finished, with further additions to both the technical staff and the playing squad expected to be announced in due course.
The weight of history now sits on the shoulders of the 45-year-old Senong. Tasked with steering the club to a top-six finish during their landmark centenary year, the South African tactician finds himself at the helm of a long-term project where junior development is the cornerstone. Having penned a two-year deal to oversee this ambitious reconstruction, Senong has already begun laying the bricks of this new era with his first five signings, marking the start of a journey that the Highlanders faithful hope will define their next hundred years.
