adminContinued from last week, this is the late 1960s to late 1970s history of Bosso
The second split was in 1976 when some players did not agree with the administrationa��s idea of launching the Southern Region Division One Soccer League.
This was after the club had been cheated of the 1976 league title. Rains had pounded Bulawayo all week and Highlanders in consultation with Bulawayo City Council, the owners of Barbourfields Stadium, had notified the national league management that because of poor drainage the venue was not playable.
This gave birth to Olympics who had the audacity even to use the black and white colours to fool supporters after taking virtually the entire first team. The players who remained as Olympics in the national league were given big sums of money to quit Highlanders.
The likes of Billy Sibanda, Lawrence Phiri, Majuta Mpofu, Douglas Mloyi, Tennyson Mloyi were among the heroes to stick to the club and face the harsh world of First Division football far from the glitz and glamour associated with the then Premier League.
Bosso has a rich history that is unparalleled in local football and cannot be divorced from Ndebele royalty hence the huge and loyal following from one particular part of Zimbabwe.
The cluba��s colours which are black and white have their origins from one of the Kinga��s regiments, a�?Amawabaa�? (Black and White) hence Uphengula wa Mawaba . The colours have lived on for years and they still remain so even in this day.
Matabeleland Highlanders remained in the lower rungs of football until 1968 when it was resolved to quit the Bulawayo African Football Association now the Bulawayo Amateur Football Association better known as Bafa.
Some members did not like the idea and instead remained in the amateur ranks and today Matabeleland High City still campaigns in Bafa.
The team played in the Second Division for two years 1968 to 1969 getting promotion to play in the national league in 1970. The club was relegated in 1971 and it is the only time that it has been relegated in its history.
The club had a good outing in the Second Division winning the promotion to the top league just after one attempt. It was a remarkable year in which the team also reached the semi-finals of the Chibuku Trophy losing to Mangula 2-0 at Ross Camp. It was the teama��s biggest showing in a national competition.
The arrival of Silas Ndlovu to replace Chris Mhlanga who was caretaker coach and manager 1972, saw the birth of a totally new club which was to change the soccer scene which had been dominated by Dynamos, Sables, St Pauls, Chibuku Shumba, Rufaro and Mangula.
Highlandersa�� first big achievement was winning the Chibuku Trophy in 1973 beating Mangula 3-0 in one of the most emotional cup finals ever where over 20 buses and private cars ferried fans to Harare for the teama��s debut final. The train was also packed as hundreds flocked to the capital.
The team won the regional league that year and went on to collect more silverware in the following two years. In 1974 the team won its first national crown and came second best to Salisbury Callies in 1975 having won the regional title.
1976 would have been a bonus season for them as they were just a point from winning their first ever national title.
The 1974 triumph was a play-off between the Northern Region and Southern Region champions. But the John Madzima administration had decided to have a national league involving the best clubs from both regions.
Online Reporter