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Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
THE past two years have seen some Highlanders members questioning the logic of maintaining a ‘costly’ Division One side that has seen the promotion of a few players to the senior team during the period.
Some of the club’s members have openly called for the Division One franchise, Bosso 90 to be relinquished for a swap in a lower, less costly league or maintenance of youth sides only.
There were also reports that up to 13 players had requested clearance letters to leave after being overlooked for first team promotion this year.
Our sister paper, Chronicle reported in February that Bosso 90 players that included Dalubuhle Dlodlo, Dominic Jaricha, Xolani Mdlongwa, Donnet Fosho, Daniel Msendami, Innocent Chifamba, Denzel Mugadza, Tony Sibanda, Owen Sibanda, Dumo Moyo, Brighton Makopa, Nkosana Ndlovu and Bukhosi Maseko were eager to change teams.
However, Bosso member, Bheka “Mahiii” Sibanda has put the spotlight back on the club’s famed development structures through providing various supportive measures.
Following a rocky discussion at the club’s annual general meeting, talk was that Bosso could relinquish the side with reports Division Two side had engaged the club for a swap.
Chairman, Kenneth Mhlophe however poured water on the purported talks indicating they were eager to keep the side although at the time the club was struggling to secure funds to affiliate to the Southern Region.
Sibanda came to the club’s rescue in June and forked out part of the affiliation fees, paying $11 000 of the $25 000 fee.
At the time he indicated the future of the club is anchored on the developmental sides and it was up to Bosso’s fans, members and leadership to work together to ensure a striving development structure.
Sibanda has gone on to assist in the payment of salaries for the development sides’ technical staff for July and also handing over groceries to the coaches.
He said it was unfortunate little attention has been paid to the grooming of players with fans wanting to see the senior team only delivering.
“There is need for patience in the elevation of youngsters. We cannot expect to just reap but we have to invest at junior level and that is when we can realise the fruits at the top.
“I believe a strong foundation at the bottom will give us joy one day but it will not happen overnight and we all have to invest and be patient to players come up,” said Sibanda.
“My efforts to keep the juniors’ technical department is deliberate as we need motivated coaches to produce top quality players.
During a recent media, Mhlophe highlighted the fact it will not be each and every year that Division One players will break into the senior team but the institution needs to retain the developmental side.
Highlanders’ famed juniors project saw the emergence of various top players.
Sidumisile Mabena