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Fungai Muderere
HIGHLANDERS’ long-time benefactor and former club chairman Kenneth Mhlophe yesterday declared he would contest the next elections for the chairman’s post.
The elections are set for the first weekend of February next year.
Mhlophe, a renowned local businessman and farmer was beaten for the same post by Johnfat Sibanda in Bosso’s previous elections.
“Today, (yesterday) l announce my intention to contest for the position of Highlanders Football Club chairman in 2024. Some of you might have heard that l said l won’t contest again, indeed l didn’t want to come back but the Highlanders family including members and supporters of this great club approached me and pleaded with me to come back and lead this amazing club once again.
I am a good listener and l learnt my mistakes and now have more experience on how to deal and manage a huge football club like Highlanders,” said Mhlophe in a press release yesterday afternoon.
He added: “I’m coming back as Kenneth Mhlophe and will serve the club guided by the Highlanders constitution. Today I’m here for a different reason. I’ve come to a difficult personal decision as to whether or not I should seek re-election. We have suffered humiliation in football in recent times and that needs to change very quickly.
“Highlanders will be back again competing and winning big. We also need to work on the projects which are on standstill and that will help sustain this great club.
“We need to do it as a matter of urgency,” Mhlophe was the man behind a number of Bosso’s revenue-generating projects chief among them the mining venture at Inyathi which is yet to take off.
Projects started by the then Mhlophe led executive team included the mining claim and rehabilitation of the club’s training pitches.
In 2018 Mhlophe assumed the position of chairman without any challenge after the disqualification of the late club legend Ernest ‘Maphepha’ Sibanda.
Well-travelled club’s long time backer Nodumo Nyathi recently confirmed his interest to contest for the position of Highlanders chairman and so has Qhubani Moyo.
Bosso members will also vote for the club secretary-general and committee member.
Victoria Falls based Morgen “Gazza” Dube is the Bosso secretary-general. He beat Israel Moyo to that position.
The other post falling vacant is that of committee member held by Mgcini Mafu who beat Bhekumuzi ‘Mahii’ Sibanda.
It is not clear whether Mafu will enter the race but Sibanda has shown interest in giving it a try once more.
Mhlophe is a successful businessman leading one of the biggest indigenous security companies in the country, he has interests in education and farming.
Online Reporter