Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
HIGHLANDERS’ last-minute scramble for signings on deadline day has raised serious questions about the club’s leadership, with claims emerging that the executive deliberately stalled player acquisitions to undermine interim coaches after Kelvin Kaindu’s June exit.
Despite Wicknell Chivayo’s funds being available since mid-year, no reinforcements came while stand-in coaches fought to steady a faltering campaign.
Behind the scenes, insiders allege a plan was already in motion to bring back Dutchman Pieter de Jongh, and that the executive was content to watch results slide until his arrival.
Before Kaindu’s departure, the club had targeted striker Obriel Chirinda (now captain at Ngezi Platinum Stars), midfielder Nqobizitha Masuku, and forward Lynoth Chikuhwa, who had been deemed surplus at Scottland.
Chikuhwa instead joined Chicken Inn on loan, reportedly in a deal involving Scott Sakupwanya and Simbisa Brands. The 17-goal striker had thrived under Kaindu and Agent Sawu last season, improving on his 2023 tally of three goals.
Bosso also failed to land Chirinda, while losing key names. By the end of 2024, they had parted ways with Peter Muduhwa, Marvellous Chigumira, Godfrey Makaruse, and Chikuhwa.
Six months earlier, Divine Mhindirira had gone to FC Platinum, and in July, the club sold Mafious Chihweta for around US$50 000.
Masuku revealed Highlanders made only one attempt to lure him back. “That was the last time I heard from Highlanders,” he said.
“TelOne tracked me to the border from Botswana and made no mistake with their intentions by forcing me not to have a stopover but to sign and then come to my family in Bulawayo afterwards.
Naturally, about Highlanders, I would have loved to come and be of service.”
Weeks passed without signings, results slipped, and de Jongh appeared in Harare to watch Bosso lose to CAPS United. Days later, new faces arrived, some so unknown their teammates didn’t recognise them.
Several were fringe players at other clubs, signed on the recommendation of one of de Jongh’s former assistants.
The delay has left interim coach Try Ncube working with a squad that has failed under multiple bosses. As one source put it, “Lemons have never made orange juice.”
For many members, the July inactivity reflected poor football judgment and a calculated move to unveil de Jongh as a saviour at the delayed extraordinary general meeting, now set for August 17.
Normally held in July, the meeting’s rescheduling has fuelled suspicion that it was timed to shield the executive from criticism.
Complicating matters, de Jongh is still without a work permit.
Last week, a confrontation between him and an office staffer nearly turned physical. Whether he can repeat his 2019 success, winning the Chibuku Super Cup before a controversial exit to FC Platinum, remains to be seen.
One player confided that life in the Bosso camp has changed under the Dutchman’s watch. “All of a sudden, things have changed, with raisins available for energy in the dressing room at the insistence of de Jongh,” the player said.
To show that the executive has no regard for Ncube, they could not even offer him the coach’s car.
Boom, de Jongh, a favourite of some in the executive, arrives; the favour denied a local coach is extended to him; the club coach’s car is bought by the South African Supporters Chapter.
Bongani Ndlovu