adminFORMER Highlanders defender Alexander “Cool Ruler” Maseko is ready to come back and serve the club again.
Maseko, who is based in South Africa, said Highlanders has always been his passion and he felt the time was nigh for him to return to Bosso, this time in an administrative capacity.
The “Cool Ruler”, who is also the treasurer of the Highlanders supporters South Africa chapter, said while most former players tended to turn to coaching after hanging up their boots, he has never been attracted by that responsibility, adding that he believed his strength was on players’ welfare and administration.
“I’m not inclined towards coaching but I have always felt the need to take care of the players’ welfare in whatever form. I think I can manage them well and also administratively I believe I am also gifted there. Although I have been out of football structures for a while I feel it is time I returned to the game, getting into administration would be ideal,” said Maseko, a holder of a diploma in sports psychology.
He fell short of stating his intentions to contest in next year’s elections as Highlanders members are set to choose a new treasurer while the vice-chairman’s post would also be contested for. Maseko said he will consult widely before making a decision whether to run for office or find other ways of being in the club setup, adding he would be willing to relocate to Bulawayo during the time he would be within Highlanders structures.
“Contesting for elections is not the only way to get into an administrative post at the club but I am open minded and I am consulting widely, former players, members and supporters. As you are aware, I am already treasurer of the South African chapter of the supporters association, a sign of the passion and commitment towards this big club.
“I want to assist to build this big brand further, we need to commercially exploit the Highlanders name. The numbers are there it is only the products that are missing, the club cannot be crying out for money when we can make cups, caps, scarves, woolen hats, vests and other such products and sell them to our multitudes of fans,” he said.
Maseko said he was pained by the club’s poor form saying the word relegation and the name Highlanders should not feature in the same sentence. He said a club of Bosso’s stature should not be fighting relegation but expressed confidence the team would pull through.
“I do not think they will be relegated, I think (coach) Amini (Soma-Phiri) will pull through with the boys. They wouldn’t want the burden of being labelled the players that led such a big team to relegation. I am sure players need motivation to pick up their play,” said Maseko.
Maseko is in the process of registering a sports management company that would manage players and identify talent. He previously ran several Vodacom franchise shops, Vodafone. He said he would be willing to put his role in the entity on hold if Bosso members entrust him with a position at the club.
After completing his O-levels at Mpopoma High School, Maseko was lured to join DRG Viking, a football team which was in the lower leagues in 1982 and in 1984 he joined Highlanders but he spent the entire season playing for the reserve side.
He broke into the first team in 1985 and at Bosso he played alongside the likes of Ernest “Maphepha” Sibanda, the late Willard Khumalo, Rahman Gumbo, Madinda Ndlovu, David Phiri, the late Mercedes Sibanda, Dumisani Nyoni, Douglas Mloyi, Peter Ndlovu, the late Benjamin Konjera, Boy Ndlovu and Netsai Moyo, among others.
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter