Player contract renewals trouble Bosso

Fungai Muderere

Zimpapers Sports Hub

HIGHLANDERS chairman Kenneth Mhlophe has admitted that player contract renewals have continued to trouble them following another season that saw them finish sixth on the table to extend their championship barren stint to 18 years.

Bosso last won the league championship in 2006 under the guidance of Methembe “Mayor” Ndlovu.

“Our flagship side, the Highlanders senior men’s side, is indeed our barometer and defines the club as well as a source of engagement with the wider community and stakeholders like members, fans, corporate partners, and other various publics.

“This said, the performance, therefore, of the senior side affects the socio-economic cycle of our greater community. Like in the year 2023, the team played well in the first half, under a new coach, only to have a poor return in the second stanza, finishing a paltry sixth on the log standings,” said Mhlophe.

He added, “The second half of 2024 also coincided with several senior team players stalling on contract renewals, preferring instead to run-out their contracts with us.

Player recruitment and retention have since become a complicated and extremely difficult task of club management since the advent of player managers, player agents, and other inter-alia agents. For players, signing short one-year contracts is very profitable at a personal level, albeit at the expense of team stability, performance, and finances.”

Mhlophe also underscored that as opposed to 2023, “somehow in 2024 Bosso coaches provided a remedy for poor or weak attack,” and they scored competitively to the extent of having their former striker Lynoth Chikuhwa outscoring everyone in the league, tallying 17 goals.

Chikuhwa recently joined free-spending Scottland FC together with Peter Muduhwa, Godfrey Makaruse, and Marvelous Chigumira.

“Our potency upfront coincided sadly with a leaky defence, giving away goals at times cheaply. This trend was so disturbing that in 34 matches, our coaches used all three goalkeepers in search of a safe pair of hands,” said Mhlophe.

Meanwhile, in their maiden appearance in the women’s top-flight league, Highlanders Royals finished in 11th position.

Their top goal scorer was Notabo Nkabinde, who finished on seven.

“We would like to applaud the team for their performance under such an unfavourable environment, where they had to be on the road every other week. We would like to make a passionate plea to members to support the girl child in whatever means. They play all their home games at our sports club grounds,” said Mhlophe.

Bosso’s Ladies are under the guidance of Edmore Sibanda, who is assisted by Sithandile Khoza. Navy Masuku is the team manager, and the fitness trainer is Emmanuel Nkomo.

Related Posts

Local Premiership excites British Brigade

Langton Nyakwenda THE arrival of former Celtics starlet Kundai Benyu at Harare giants CAPS United has sparked a significant interest in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League from United Kingdom-based…

Italy blocks DeepSeek

Italy has become the first country to ban the Chinese AI model, DeepSeek, after its data protection authority blocked the app on Thursday, citing concerns over its handling of personal…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You Missed

SADC to intensify DRC peace efforts

SADC to intensify DRC peace efforts

‘Sadc a staunch advocate for DRC peace’

‘Sadc a staunch advocate for DRC peace’

AI art: Friend or foe? . .Local artists weigh in on the creative revolution

AI art: Friend or foe? . .Local artists weigh in on the creative revolution

Against the odds. . .Woman, maid share breast cancer survival story

Against the odds. . .Woman, maid share breast cancer survival story