Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
FORMER Highlanders coach Pieter De Jongh left Bulawayo with a clear plan in mind. He had rescued Bosso from the drop, pushed them to the Chibuku Super Cup semi-finals and then mapped out how to rebuild a team he believed had lost far too much quality. His contract was not renewed, but his wish list shows how he intended to lift the club back to its old standards.
He identified Manica Diamonds defender Lawrence Mhlanga and TelOne midfielder Nqobizitha Masuku, as the spine he wanted. He also targeted Chicken Inn’s striker Brian Muza, one of the quickest forwards in the league, and leftback Sipho Ndlovu, who has since extended his stay with the Gamecocks.
De Jongh said the picture became clear once he carried out his final squad review and saw how far Highlanders had drifted from their 2019 levels.
“The problem with Highlanders is that they lost far too many good players and never replaced them with quality. To expect any coach to do better with what the team has was asking for a miracle. Coaches are not magicians,” said De Jongh.
Bosso have watched a long list of key players walk away in recent seasons. Mbongeni Ndlovu, Divine Mhindirira, Mackinnon Mushore, Peter Muduhwa, Lynoth Chikuhwa, Godfrey Makaruse and Marvelous Chigumira all left gaps that were never filled.
“If you look at the quality that is left, the players I had in 2019, it is not the same as now. The team needs a reality check and release a lot of players and bring in quality to match the club’s status,” said De Jongh.
His plan leaned on familiar faces and proven performers. He had worked with Masuku in 2019 and again at Jwaneng Galaxy in Botswana, and believed the midfielder still had more to offer. Mhlanga, one of the league’s most consistent centre-backs over the past decade, would have brought calm and command to the heart of defence where Bosso have struggled to fill Muduhwa’s leadership.
Muza, a pure runner with a knack for troubling defences, would have brought energy and goals.
“Two months ago, I was contacted by Muza’s agent. I felt he was the kind of player for Highlanders, who scores and creates goals; he has a good work ethic,” said De Jongh.
Ndlovu, who has now been snapped up by Hardrock, remained one of the finest left-backs in the Premiership.
“I wanted the Chicken Inn captain, that leftback,” said De Jongh.
His plans stretched beyond Zimbabwe. He said he was prepared to recommend four players from Malawi, including a winger, an attacking midfielder, a defensive midfielder and a left-footed centreback.
“I would have brought four players from Malawi, a left winger, an attacking midfielder (the traditional Number 10), a defensive link and a left-footed centreback,” said De Jongh.
The list did not end there. Yadah goalkeeper Goodknows Gurure, Manica Diamonds midfielder Rainsome Pavari and goalkeeper Godfrey Chitsumba were also on his radar. He added that he had been ready to take three players on loan from Scottland.
“My heart is with Highlanders. I had a dream to make the team bigger and better on the field. What was needed was executive support on football matters and them changing the mindset and looking themselves in the mirror and considering that since they run the club on a day-to-day basis, they are the big problem, they are failing in their duties. Highlanders is a big club and deserves better,” said De Jongh.
He has since returned to Kenya, where he runs a farming business and a money exchange company that employs 40 people.
