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Innocent Kurira, Zimpapers Sports Hub
HIGHLANDERS have received a timely off field lifeline after Sakunda Holdings confirmed it will continue as the club’s technical sponsor, lifting a cloud of uncertainty that had begun to hang over Bosso’s pre-season preparations.
The confirmation arrives just days before Highlanders’ annual general meeting, scheduled for Sunday at the Highlanders Clubhouse in Bulawayo, a gathering already charged with tension over the club’s direction, finances and the protracted delay in appointing a substantive head coach.
Senior club officials recently travelled to Harare for sponsor engagements as Highlanders sought to steady the ship ahead of the AGM. Chairman Kenneth Mhlophe, vice chairman Fiso Siziba and chief executive Denzil Mnkandla formed part of the delegation, with the club limiting its public acknowledgement to confirming that meetings had been held with sponsors.
Sakunda’s continued involvement is not being presented as an entirely new deal, but sources indicate it falls under a revised sponsorship package expected to differ in shape and scope from previous seasons.
While the finer details remain under wraps, there is palpable relief within the club that one of the most pressing questions hovering over preparations has now been answered.
A source close to the developments said the sponsor’s stance has helped calm nerves at a moment when Bosso could ill afford further instability.
“Sakunda have given their assurance that they will continue supporting the club, and that has helped clear a lot of uncertainty,” said the source.
Beyond kit supply and branding, the sponsorship carries significant weight at Highlanders, influencing planning within the football department, budgets for travel and logistics, and the club’s capacity to keep its technical programme intact ahead of the new campaign. With the AGM looming, that clarity also bolsters the executive’s position as members signal they want frank explanations about what is changing and how it will translate onto the pitch.
The sponsorship confirmation comes as Highlanders reshape their technical structure, with South African coach Thabo Senong agreeing to join as assistant coach to Benjani Mwaruwari. Sources say the move forms part of a broader restructuring aimed at aligning the club’s leadership and key stakeholders behind a single technical vision after weeks of uncertainty and internal pressure.
Senong is also expected to bring in his preferred video analyst from South Africa, an indication that Highlanders are keen to modernise their backroom operations and introduce greater structure to analysis and performance work. The club has already begun the process of securing the relevant work permits for the incoming technical staff.
However, Senong is still awaiting the issuance of his own work permit before he can officially assume duties, and sources say administrative processes around the final composition of the technical team are still being finalised. That delay means Highlanders are progressing with their plans, but without the full complement of technical staff physically in place just yet.
Another source said the club believes the remaining pieces will soon fall into place now that the sponsorship issue has been put to rest.
“The key issues are being addressed. Sakunda’s position is clear, and the technical team is aligning. Once the paperwork is done, everything should fall into place,” said the source.
For Highlanders, Sakunda’s continued backing does not instantly resolve all the footballing questions facing the club, but it does provide valuable breathing room ahead of Sunday’s AGM. Members will still expect the executive to account for what the revised package means in practical terms, outline the targets for the coming season, and explain whether the new technical set up is robust enough to meet the heavy expectations that come with being Bosso.
Online Reporter