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Fungai Muderere
THERE were nine, come Sunday only three will remain!
Highlanders family will on Sunday converge at their clubhouse for executive committee elections that were preceded over by an annual general meeting that saw tempers flare as club treasurer Israel Moyo read out unaudited financials again.
Incumbent Johnfat Sibanda, Kenneth Mhlophe, Nodumo Nyathi and Edison Dube have already tabled diverse ideas and strategies meant to bring back grandeur and excitement to Highlanders.
Three years ago, Sibanda edged Mhlophe to assume Bosso’s hottest seat and the duo faced a young and vibrant Nyathi who boasted of a seven-point plan to transform Amahlolanyama.
Incumbent secretary-general Gazza is facing two opponents in his bid to be re-elected for his position.
He has Nsikelelo Moyo and Raerburn Ndebele as his opponents.
Committee member, Mgcini Mafu, has decided otherwise on contesting, leaving Bhekumuzi “Mahii” Sibanda and Kindman Ndlovu to battle for the seat.
Bosso’s new executive committee will be expected to work hand-in-hand for the betterment of the club that has been eluded by the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League trophy for 18 years.
Bosso has since 2006, played second fiddle to Dynamos, Chicken Inn, CAPS United, FC Platinum and Ngezi Platinum Stars in a bid to clinch the country’s top football gong. It has been a massive 18 years of performances without a silver lining.
They only came close to clinching the league title in 2012 and 2013 under the tutelage of Zambian coach Kelvin Kaindu, interestingly a God-fearing mentor who has since retraced his steps to the Bulawayo football giants ahead of the start of the 2024 season.
Last year, after going for a remarkable 19-match unbeaten run, it was another so near yet so far story for Bosso who fizzled out of the title challenge in the second half of the season, to gift the trophy to Mhondoro-based Ngezi Platinum Stars.
The team’s new leaders will also be expected to arrest financial leakages. Moyo said it was frustrating to note that Highlanders’ internal checks and controls were wanting.
“The system is open for everyone to do as he or she wants. Internal audit is a very important pillar. There is a need for our financials to be validated by auditors. We need to improve on our internal checks and controls. I don’t want to be a treasurer who reduces Bosso to a financially troubled club. We are incurring a lot of losses that even affect our junior teams,” said Moyo adding that they can’t account for US$8 000.
“Our standard operating procedures are not really up to stretch. Let’s have normal standards not only in finance but all over. I’m attacking the board or my fellow executive members. The way we relate makes it difficult for me or any other treasurer to operate,” said Moyo. He also mentioned that the accounts that he presented were prepared with the information available.
“The history of it is long. I have wasted a lot of time looking for auditors. It has not been easy but we created all this mess. It’s very difficult for me to stand here with unaudited accounts,” said Moyo.
In US Dollar terms, in the 2023 season, Moyo reported that Bosso got a total of US$351 386 after paying their stakeholders that include Sports Recreation Commission (SRC), Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa), Bulawayo City Council (BCC), Premier Soccer League (PSL), match officials, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), chief cashiers, cashiers and private security among others, Highlanders remained with US$145 482.
The South African Rand account suggests that the club got a paltry share of R425 after meeting expenses from a total of R259 234 that they had realised.
Online Reporter
