The Sunday Mail
Don Makanyanga
BULAWAYO giants Highlanders have refused to press the panic button, after a player exodus seems to have crippled their off-season business.
Highlanders have already lost three senior players in Gabriel Nyoni, Honest Moyo, Newman Sianchali and are currently locked in negotiations with more who are reportedly to be making all sorts of demands to their standing contracts.
The Bulawayo Metropolitan-based outfit have, however, brought in Prince Dube, Bukhosi Sibanda, Mbekezeli Sibanda, Cleopas Kapupurika, Wellington Muuya and Nqobizitha Masuku as replacements.
And now, Bosso chief executive officer Nhlanhla Dube says the club was well aware of the intents by some of these so-called senior players.
“The signing of Prince Dube, Bukhosi Ncube, Nqobizitha Masuku and company shows that we anticipated some form of departures,” said Dube.
“We have reacted, accordingly, by bringing in younger but experienced players.
“Now, the hope is that these new signings are settling in well and quickly, so we see instant results,” he said.
As it pertains to other players allegedly threatening to hold the club to ransom over renewed contracts, the Bosso CEO said the club has implemented austerity measures which include letting go those players who demand more than the club could afford.
“We deliberately try to live within our means and sometimes it means letting players move on.
“We will for this reason always be a club that is brave and committed to giving a chance to younger and hungrier players,” said the Bosso CEO. After embarking on a rebuilding exercise that sought to bring back the Bosso tradition, Dube believes the project, which is being led by former son Madinda Ndlovu, is on the right course.
“Nurturing and promotion of our own young players is quintessentially Highlanders and it is good for our tradition, football culture and institutional identity.
“It is certainly a great way to be efficient and save on costs.
“While we are happy with the progress made last year, it is in the club’s nature to improve every year,” he said.
Having started the 2018 season on a high, Highlanders failed to maintain their bright starts and finished fifth on the log table, respectable but wanting more.
