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Fungai Muderere, fungai.muderere@bmetro.co.zw
THE Highlanders sponsorship deal with BetterBrands for the year 2025 has been retained, albeit with a slight shift of focus, the club chairman Kenneth Mhlophe has revealed.
Bosso were in the past season under the sponsorship of Sakunda Holdings, Better Brands, Nyaradzo Life Assurance Company and Sanctuary Insurance.
“In this difficult economy and unpredictable operating environment, Highlanders is indebted to its corporate partners for their financial and material support. While it is not easy to get sponsorships, it is twice as difficult to maintain them.
“I therefore humbly appeal to all of us as Highlanders at various levels and positions to ensure we help each other preserve the partnerships we have and always keep our club clean in order to attract more. For the year 2025, the Better Brands deal has been retained, albeit with a slight shift of focus.
“You will remember that last year the BettterBrands covered our youth teams as well as the Highlanders Royals. This time around the deal covers only the senior team, meaning we have a gap with regards to Bosso 90, Royals and junior teams respectively,” said Mhlophe.
Ahead of their centenary celebrations Mhlophe informed club members that the development side, Bosso 90, will be rebranded Bosso 99 in preparation for the club’s Centennial Celebrations next year.
Mhlophe said: “Our club will celebrate 100 years of existence in 2026. This is a significant milestone and we are all privileged to be part of both the club and the upcoming celebrations. Amhlophe to all.
“The celebrations will begin in earnest this year, with a series of events kicking off this very season. Bosso 90 will transition to Bosso 99 and as an institution, the club will engage with its members as various subcommittees for the celebrations are formed.”
Founded in 1926, Highlanders is the country’s oldest football club. Over the years, the club has evolved into one of Zimbabwe’s two biggest football institutions, boasting a massive following both locally and internationally, particularly among those in the Diaspora.
On the field, the Bulawayo giants have enjoyed significant success, winning numerous league titles and cup competitions while producing some of the country’s finest football talent.
The club has provided home to celebrated former players that include the famous Ndlovu brothers Madinda, the late Adam and Peter, Zenzo Moyo, Benjamin Konjera, Peter “Oxo” Nkomo, Douglas Mloyi, the late Willard Khumalo, the late Rahman Gumbo, Johannes Tshuma, Johannes Ngodzo, Thabani Masawi, Charles Chilufya, Collin Nyambiya, Makwinji Soma Phiri, Amini Soma Phiri, Sizabantu Khoza, Gilbert Banda, Honour Gombami, Mthulisi Maphosa, and Thulani” Biya” Ncube among other gifted yeasteryear greats. -@FungaiMuderere