Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
HIGHLANDERS Football Club has always been more than just a team; it’s a legacy of shared dreams and family ties, where brothers have carved their names into the very fabric of the club’s history. Think of the Ndlovu brothers, the Sibanda siblings, or the iconic Mabaleka duo — their surnames echo through the terraces, forever synonymous with Bosso’s glory.
Now, a new chapter begins as Mason and Mackinnon Mushore step onto this hallowed ground, aiming to etch their own story into the club’s illustrious narrative. They understand the weight of expectation that comes with following in such legendary footsteps, yet they are ready to embrace the challenge and prove their worth.
For the Mushore brothers, chasing greatness at a club so rich in brotherhood is no easy feat, but it’s a journey they’re determined to conquer together.
In an interview with Zimpapers Sports Hub on Tuesday, the Mushore brothers acknowledged the pressure that comes with wearing the Highlanders jersey, especially when following in the footsteps of siblings who lifted silverware and became legends.
“It’s a challenge because they played very well for this team and won many cups. For us to be remembered like them, we have to win trophies,” said Mason, the younger of the two.
Generations of brotherly duos have worn the black and white strip with pride, judged by the silverware they brought home and the eras they helped define.
Mackinnon echoed his brother’s sentiments, admitting that the expectations are immense.
“Like Mason said, it’s a challenge. Highlanders is a big team. Everyone wants to win trophies, and the club always expects success,” he said.
Together, the siblings are determined to leave a mark.
“As brothers, we also want to build our own legacy, just like those who came before us. You can only be remembered at this club by winning trophies. It’s a challenge, yes, but we’re not putting ourselves under pressure. We just want to achieve something meaningful together,” said Mackinnon.
Mason, a dynamic box-to-box midfielder, has been in fine form this season. With growing confidence, he has added attacking flair to his defensive game, scoring two goals in the first 11 matches — both coming in the last four outings.
Mackinnon, an attacking midfielder, has been a standout performer over the past three seasons, dazzling fans with his fearless dribbling and creativity in the final third.
The brothers’ journey adds a fresh page to the long list of sibling duos who’ve passed through the club. Highlanders’ history is rich with family ties, dating back to its foundation, when the Khumalo brothers — Albert and Rhodes — helped form the team after falling in love with the game while studying at Loveday Institute in South Africa.
Since then, the club has seen brothers like:
– The Ndlovus – Madinda, Adam, Peter, and Marko
– The Mloyis – Tennyson and Douglas
– The Soma-Phiris – Amini and Makwinji
– The Makhandas – Gibson and Chester
– The Luphahlas – Kainot and Willie
– The Boonzaier brothers – Neil and Allan
– The McKops – Tyrone and Pernell
– The Phiris – Kingston and Lawrence
– The Dzowas/Tsumbes – Edward, Kenneth, and Paul
– The Mabalekas – Phineas and Tymon
– The Sibandas – Cephas and Sebastian
– The Chiezas – Itai and Winston
– The Mpofus – Jeffrey and Mike
– The Nxumalos – Josiah, Enock, and James
– The Masawis – Itai and Thabani
– The Pakeths – Tito and Francis
– The Ncubes – Dan and Summer
– Ndlovus – Bekithemba, Mbongeni and Fazo
– Ngodzos – Petros, Joel, Zephaniah and Johannes
– Ncubes – Thulani and Thubelihle
Among them, the Ndlovu brothers stand tallest. Madinda was Highlanders’ star of the 1980s, while Peter and Adam left a mark during the club’s golden run in the early ’90s — most memorably, the 1990-91 double-winning campaign.
Josiah and James Nxumalo were also instrumental in Bosso’s rise to becoming Zimbabwe’s second most successful football club after Dynamos.
For the Mushore brothers, the path is clear but steep. The bar is high, and the expectations even higher. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that Highlanders is a club where brothers don’t just play together — they build legacies.
