Highlanders Bosso memories: The Midfield Generals

(Willard Khumalo, Madinda Ndlovu and Mercedes Sibanda)

Football players of raw passion and desire to entertain while having fun came naturally in the 1980s and 1990s. Among the many gifted players who became actors of the great Highlanders Football Club over that period of time was Willard Mashinkila Khumalo (MHSRIP), famous then for galloping while in possession of the ball, to the roar of the responsive Stadium.

This midfield general of immense talent, passion and attitude, ‘Nduna’’ as he was popularly known,  had a physical presence, dribbling, passing and vision made him a darling to watch.

 Many will remember the stadium roaring ‘Mawiii’ or simply, "Wiiiiiiii" with his every touch of the ball. He intercepted the balls in midfield intelligently, supporting other players off the ball and above all, had the great passing ability over short, medium and long distances.

Nduna’s football was compelling at the club and national level and remained a cog to the teams he played for which included Caps United. Willard was the king pin of the Reinhard Fabisch's Dream Team of the 1990s. He went to ply his trade in Germany as well.

Many young Highlanders FC supporters may not know Lazarus Mwambopo. ‘Lulu’, started running as he came out of the tunnel for warm-up and never stopped. He ran in a particular fashion, his hands kind of hanging loosely from the wrists.

He tirelessly toiled all day. His great vision and weighted passing were a joy to behold. Lulu played for Eagles FC with Victor Moonsamy and Elvis Chiweshe among others. The industry of this man's input in each shift could never be equalled.

Ernest ‘Maphepha’ Sibanda was slim as a paper, hence his nickname. This speedy winger flew making the 'Chew' noise with his mouth as he charged. Sibanda played for Caps United in a distinguished career and later became the team manager of the very successful Bossolona and eventually Chairman. The man had good control of midfield control and imposed his style of play with ease.

Nqobizitha Maenzanise (MHSRIP) is another of the great midfielders of his generation and beyond. As stubborn as a donkey on the road, he marshalled the midfield at will. He had invaluable technique, killing any ball dead in an instant and passing with amazing accuracy with the inside or outside of the foot. His vision left you wondering if he really saw the development prior.

‘Humpty’ tended to have lazy runs with his bow legs and his arrogance got him a few red-cards during his career. He never really celebrated a goal as he just took it as a pass to the net. One cannot remember him losing the ball once it was at his feet and he released it only when he wanted, and very accurately so. 

He was a useful player at Zimbabwe Saints, Matebeleland High City and he captained the national team. One thing few people knew about him, was his great humility. I had great pleasure taking him through coaching courses and was always amazed how so humble and willing to learn he was. He worked as a court interpreter.

In the same mould of build and technique was Makheyi Nyathi (MHSRIP). I have never seen a better ball passer. His control of the ball was magnificent. ‘Ninja’ played first team football at a very tender
age. He was very good at anticipating and intelligently intercepting balls timely without a hassle. He was a hard tackler who enjoyed his game. 

Makheyi scored some amazing long-range goals regularly. He was such a great magician who made his first team and national squad debuts aged sixteen. This player can be described as a true general of the game and an icon. He suffered knee injuries that cut his career shorter than it should have been.

Another tireless worker and exquisite passer was Aram Tshuma (MHSRIP). He had played a lot of first division football with Red Seal Rovers before joining Bosso. What a revelation he was. 

Aram passed the ball early with great quality and silently went about his business in attack and defence. He was a goal scorer of note, especially from distance.

Richard Choruma joined ‘Amahlolanyama’ looking lazy and many fans did not believe that he was going to be a revelation he became. His small frame fooled many opponents. Choruma worked hard in midfield winning balls, developing into one of the finest players.

Choruma played alongside Benjani Mwaruwari at Air Zimbabwe and his move to South Africa was not as successful. The Dabuka Express was an intelligent player with a great engine and a professional every coach dreamed of. 

Alexander Phiri was a high calibre player and a scorer of thunderous goals that would make Paul Scholes jealous. Zander always looked to play the ball forward early and accurately and worked extremely hard all the time. His goals will always feature as some of the best seen at Bosso. He played alongside Blessing Gumiso who was a pivotal figure in midfield himself.

Gumiso was a strong anchor-man who worked hard for the team. As a workhorse protecting the defenders, Magumaguma was tireless and very decisive in tackles and man-marking. He was very dependable in one versus one situation and scored some good and important goals. His contribution released other exciting attacking midfielders to venture forward in enterprising fashion. 

Siza Khoza was one untouchable swift player. As soon as he was on the run with the ball at his feet he flew off his feet. Nkinko was extravagant sometimes, keepingh the ball with him for too long but when he got his way, it was ever so sweet. 

The ball stuck to his feet as if glued. It was his not so generous frame that made him rank last in national team selection. At Caps United, his artistry did not live up to his reputation. Siza ran from midfield to the flanks and also attacked the central positions with great purpose and direction. He was a defender's nightmare. He scored vital goals for the team.

Gift Lunga Jnr operated as a left-winger. His tremendous dribbling ability took many by surprise, including himself I think. ‘Thebe’ had wits to do anything. His flowing movement when in full flight on the left wing, the dread-locked Thebe reminded many of Jay Jay Okocha. He was purely exquisite and sublime. The Bosso faithful will have memories of the great and crucial goals he scored.

Who can forget the late Thuthani Moyo, a player who used both feet to dribble with amazing ability? He knew of his gift and he pushed the limits. He also had a deceptive lazy dribble, which made drilling the ball through opponents’ legs look casual. One could mistakenly think he used his hands to manipulate the ball. That is how clever his feet were.

Mpumelelo 'Era Munna' Dzowa and the late Ronnie 'Jeans' Jowa came across as genuine midfield commanders who people confused for each other because of the surnames which rhymed. Mpume took control of the game with great vision and passing that mesmerised opponents. He later developed to be a key member of the Green Machine, Caps United.

These players were a team that was very talented, having matured earlier from a reserve team of the mid-1980s named 'Liverpool'. 

Many will remember high-quality technician, Thoko Sithole, who was nimble-footed. He was a darling to many and proved to be a midfielder of immense talent.

The fluid Benjamin ‘Matambanadzo’ Mpofu came from Kadoma's Eiffel Flats and endeared into the Bosso fans with a workmanlike shift match after match with great incisive runs going forward. He had the courage to carry the ball across the field and into the attacking third.

One not so popular, yet vital midfield of good defensive qualities was Harrison ‘Ayashis' Amateki’ Meki. Ayashis' Amateki was loved by his teammates for his ability to make their jobs on the field easier.

Amin Soma-Phiri was such a lovely character. ‘Khazeni’ had a spirit to move mountains. Like his brother Makwinji, his greatest asset was the head. Amin must have scored more Cup goals than any Bosso player, mostly with his head.

The bow-legged strong man of soccer was a forceful and committed player who disliked losing. The fighting spirit rubbed well into those around him and he always imposed himself on every defence.

The late Titus Majola was simply class and very intelligent. Simply the best. ‘Zii’ was unbelievably flamboyant and knew where to be every time. His strength was the simplicity of play. He made football look very very easy. He played along the charismatic players like Alex Maseko, Fanual Ncube, Douglas Mloyi and Peter Nkomo, among others.

Tito Paketh, a brother to Francis Paketh of Eagles was a talented dribbling wizard with nimble feet. Tito scored amazing goals and mostly from distance. The strong midfielder had great vision and mouth-watering passing ability. He left playing alongside his brother Francis, at Eagles and joined Amahlolanyama. He was a great player who enjoyed his game and all at Tshilamoya enjoyed watching him.

David Phiri brought to the game excellent passing and ball control in the midfield. His strong attitude to the art made him look comfortable and relaxed. His goals were marvellous. Dave proved to be a consistent midfielder with the ability to deliver every time he played.

Many know Andrew Shue as a Hollywood actor of the soapie, Melrose Place. He played football for Highlanders and was a such a genius. He was not fancy at all but did the necessary with simple football. 

I remember an unfortunate game in Harare where he gave away a silly goal in a Cup final or something. He felt gutted and found it hard to deal with the mishap. 

Another American, Kelly 'Sharp Mafana' Jacobson played further in front as an attacking midfielder and his passing always astounded the supporters. He scored few important goals.

Dowd had the chilling accurate forward passes with the correct weight and direction. It made up for the poor defensive behaviour, which was his weaknesses. He had off days that could annoy fans but played a key role in most of the matches he played that the fans named him Dube.

Lovemore Ncube was a temperamental character who fought too hard and hated to lose. ‘Magents’ was a vital engine room cog who always played a kingpin role. He was a terminator kind of player. The ball winning ability gave the much-needed steel in his game which many took for rough play.

Magents always played hard and took no prisoners with each tackle making a statement. Lovemore went to play successfully for Dynamos, before leaving for overseas.

Rahman Gumbo was an influential midfielder despite him starting a striker at Eagles where he scored goals with the ease of Ian Rush. ‘Rah’ was very clever and consistent as a Number 9 and as a midfielder. Injuries were unjust to him resulting in his retirement. Rush played a pivotable role for the Dream Team and later developed to be a great coach.

In all his first and second level courses that I conducted, he remained humble and inspired his classmates in the courses. He proved to be a winner as he won championships with Bosso, Caps, as well as Malawians and Botswana teams. Many will remember with fondness the great goals he scored against South Africa upon Mzansi's readmission to international football in 1992 and that goal against Goh Mahiaat Emagumeni.

Benjamin Nkonjera was a destroyer in midfield who always was serious. Probably the finest midfielder ever‘Mackanaky’ had good man-marking skills, interception ability of unsurpassed proportions and passing that would rank amongst the best you ever saw.

Benjie was a cog for Bosso and national teams for many years and had a huge impact on successes of the Dream Team. He scored tremendous goals and finished his career at Amazulu after a fruitful stint at FC Kriens of Switzerland.

Mubariki Chisoni was a true version of dynamite comes in small packages' player. ‘Mwamba’ seemed just too slippery for the opposition. He seemed to have it very easy all the time. For a midfielder of his stature, he was a class act who scored beautiful and important goals. He had great ball control and was very courageous.

Methembe Ndlovu played comfortably in defence as he did in midfield. ‘Mayor’, as a holding player was a darling of the BF crowd, intercepting the ball at alarming rates. One would think he attracted the ball to his feet.

He was so dependable and committed in everything he did, becoming one of the best players in 1995 Under 23All-Africa Games in the squad who won silver medals

His ball distribution was one of his strengths.Mayor’s football took him to the United State of America where he attained high coaching qualifications. He became one of the most successful Bosso coaches.

Honour Gombami is one living artisan of football with immense talent. He graduated soon after Johannes'Tshisampama' Ngodzo but they did play together very well. Honour had a silky touch to blow your mind.

Gombami’s vision and passing incredibly opened defence like a hot knife through butter. His work-rate was really an asset to the squad and he dished his stuff week in and week out.

He went on to play professionally in Belgium but injuries dealt with him treacherously and stalled a growing career.

Another fine specimen of a footballer must be Ngodzo himself.Tshisa dribbled as if he was romancing the ball with his feet. He is one footballer you will come across once in a lifetime. He was a gem of a player with a true Midas touch.His enviable technical ability almost made the ball talk.He ran with the ball, dragging it behind him as if it was
glued to his heels and his long range passing.

He dribbled for fun and made all look easy in the field of play. Injuries were unfair to his and he did play for the national team.

Charles Chilufya was hard shooting and generally a workaholic of a Zambian. ‘Chief’ scored memorable goals. He worked for the ball and was quick to go forward.Chilufya came from city rivals, Railstars, who had acquired him from Wankie Football Club. Tthe combination with Choruma was telepathic.

Master Masiku was one of the most under-rated players ever, with a very big engine and love for the game. An easy midfielder to coach with total commitment, he was a good ball winner and scored some amazing but few goals. He was always committed to his game and played a pivotal role at Railstars.His finishing did not compliment his efforts. 

His boyhood friend, Kelvin ‘Mtshawa’ Maseko had a better work rate. Mtshawa had long strides and a tremendous engine to run all noon. His passing and shooting were high class.

He did not stay long at Highlanders, moving to be a force to be reckoned with at Railstars F.C.To the so many others who made the Highlanders family feel worthwhile, there can never be enough thank yous.

All the midfield generals intrigued the BarbourfieldsStadium with the intricate and quick passing that electrified the vibrant and chanting faithful at the Soweto, Edgars and Mpankweni stands.They packed powerful shots and scored thunderous goals that won the trophies and championships. They
supplied the sublime through balls to the strikers and thrilled everyone with the dribbles and trickery.

Who was your top Midfield General?

What Highlanders need right now - the Business Plan

The ocean is made up of many drops of water. The key will be working together here for the love and worthy cause of iBosso. The ultimate source of the Club’s survival is in the people who love the team.

This business plan takes the Club’s finances to a different level. It involves you, your family and friends and every Highlanders fan that you may know, and their friends. 

All this can easily be done in the comfort of your home, office or on the move.



As a match ticket price of $10 a book, if all you, your family, friends and Facebook friends and their friends make a purchase, half the net purchase price will go towards the Club’s coffers, subject to their approval.

After relevant taxes and publication costs, you will realise this is not much if it is just the two people. Sparing $10 a month whether you love Highlanders or football is not a big expense. It may be that you just love this site.

All you need to do is make sure you use social networks and ask your friends to be part of the solution. It must become second nature to you and your pals to make a monthly purchase.

The updates of the e-book will be available to you at the going price. Efforts to get freshest and useful information will be encouraged by the responses. For all in the diaspora, teaching others the use of online purchases and book downloads is encouraged.

In many parts of the world, it is normal practise but there are areas where confidence to make online purchases is low. As the best e-Books publisher is used, the process is very safe. 30 000 copies 12 times a year will leverage the team’s well-being in a big way. It will be easy to track the amounts generated and tax paid. There are more advantages.

With over a potential 360 000 copies annually, a healthy net profit would almost reach a million dollars. This is just part of the deal. Immense marketing by the fans and supporters would push the figures higher. It is something different that can be done from all over the world and at any time.

Purchases by friends who do not know the team or have interest in the game will actually be what the team needs right now. This will be a guarantee amount in the clubs’ budget and it will be better and bigger with time.

The benefits of this are obvious and immense as they have a direct impact. You will be contributing to the team irrespective of where you are. Internet is everywhere for you to access the download. With internet frauds common, at least you will be certain there is person responsible for the whole process. 

The accountability and transparency of the intention and process is for the world to see. To expedite the plan, there are no people trying to group here. The process of committees does not come into it. The meetings and forming quorums is not involved or drawing up constitutions.

There will be no need to open bank accounts and have signatories to disburse the funds. As private as this is, there is one man accountable. The publisher gets the payments and deposits funds in a bank account after deducting taxes and publication fees.

At a cost of a cup of coffee and a sandwich from you and a few friends, together we can do more. The success of the initial project will turn this e-Book into your magazine based on www.tsendex.blogspot.com or on its own.

The system works very effectively with any leadership in place and is long term. To be a successful, the sustenance must endure despite being a personal sacrifice to help the team.

As much as it is not an easy to trust or be trusted, it is a risk one must take, because there is strength in numbers, especially those who claim to have the team at heart.

In your community, ensure all your colleagues make the purchases. Look at it as making a purchase and enjoying the product while your responsibility to help is done. It is about what the team gets for the product you buy and own.

Readers who are not even followers or lovers of the team will be making their purchases too. Take responsibility and take action. Sitting and watching other teams being innovative got the team nowhere.

Supplementing the Club's coffers in general and specific ways must not be an individual’s burden. This must involve all in every corner of the planet and any aliens from elsewhere who have no doubt known Mantengwane in years gone by. Highlanders have suddenly become a breeding ground for players who get window dressed and snapped for a song, if not free.

All can help. Your pledge for the love and worthy cause of Tshilamoya and encouraging others makes one an asset to the team and that is invaluable. This virgin project cannot wait for people from other teams to copy the idea and even make it a success while we dilly-dally. Being not first and expecting the team to be, is naïve.

Getting new players or paying sign-on fees for those retained will be easier. Paying your life membership at $80 and your annual subscriptions is key. Maybe it is now possible to join online at the moment. Try to get someone to do it too.

While that financial independence vehicle is moving forward, a parallel and complementary system needs an immediate and effective implementation. We will discuss that in the next series.

Of a large population in the diaspora claiming have the love of the team, the worthy cause of Bosso should spur all and sundry to pay a match fee of $2.

The team plays friendly matches and around forty matches per season are played. Given the distance and inaccessibility of online banking and the club’s bank account details, these funds have to be deposited in a piggy bank every weekend until the last match.

Year after year and with growing numbers, the club would realise over $2 400 000 annually, besides the cash from this book or magazine sales.

As all business ventures, the contract between the club and co-ordinators of the projects should be specific and make financial sense to the parties involved.

Revisiting income projections, the assumption is the 30 000 (very small figure this) ‘diasporans’ faithfully contributing their $2 for 40 matches (weeks) in a season. It amounts to $60 000 a week,
and over 40 weeks, it is mega bucks.

If all get the copies of this book as pointed out earlier, the annual income from the supporters will surpass a $4 000 000 figure. Surely, the club would do with that amount for the salaries and transfer market as well as junior or youth development projects.

It is in this way that the fans can suggest and adopt projects to be undertaken without the burden of the executive committee. There is too much expectancy and dependency of the leadership of the club led people to sit and only question what the bosses are doing with one, two, three. Do not ask, act.

The issue of risk and mistrust kept many people at bay and under those conditions, the team almost suffered a natural death. Operating under any institution requires scruples and true commitment. 

The ridiculous attitude that is symbiotically devoid of transparency and results cannot be acceptable to true fans. 

Your suggestions and concerns in many platforms cannot be a barometer of passion, but maybe Only a show-off of your intellect and societal standing. All must appreciate that one's activity and contribution at any given time will have an impact. 

Your keen interest about what is going on at the club, must equally and crucially be matched is what is coming from the fans’ pocket into the club. That is symbiosis.

That is what all 30 000 beautiful fans of Highlanders should be thinking. Of all the calculations and
assumptions, the belief is that 30 000 is a minimum number of people who would watch the team if the opportunity arose.

Frankly, that figure is too generous. I believe that number is double. It would not matter if all were negative individuals who contribute nothing. Imagine if only two people were committed to the worthy cause. That would count for nothing.

While there may be a strong supporter base on the ground, it is usefulness if it is still to be realised and utilised. The structures will have to be set up, but to many, the supporters’’ role is to question and query.

These institutions need to take aim at one target over a year or so and accomplish something meaningful. The need to materialise some dreams for the benefit of the club and team tops the agenda of growth-minded bodies.

With the potential revenue of the club supporters, in case the executive becomes ‘unhelpable’ by refusing such funds as once experienced before, or are not cooperative in accepting fans’ donations, $5 000 000 that can be raised annually can rebuilt The Clubhouse.

Without a shadow of doubt, over 10 years, a stadium can be built. The opportunities are endless for the openminded, but how open is your mind?

The Club needs radical changes to the approach of fundraising and engage an aggressive business plan.

From the book; "What Highlanders Need Right Now! currently available on www.amazon.com as an e-book, Kindle version and paperback for $0.99 limited promotion. Keutsepilemang Ndebele is a former Highlanders Football Club Technical Advisor (2001).

Is Kaindu's courses Highlanders' demise?

Highlanders Bosso Tshilamoya of Zimbabwe lost a championship by goal difference twice in succession after firing Mohamed Fathi of Egypt and hiring Kelvin Kaindu of Zambia. After the near misses, the former Bosso speedy winger decided to equip himself to go for the jugular and enrolled for the UEFA B License. As a result of his self-empowering courses, the team lost a few friendlies and three pre-season Cups and the club is in shambles and the team in crisis. Crisis? What crisis? Exactly.

This is Highlanders Football Club after all. So, welcome! People judge the coach on a daily basis, game by game. In this particular case, it is unclear if people think Kaindu will be a better or worse coach after his training, but all they know is that they want results from the team he has not had time to prepare. It is also irrelevant if the team wins the championship at the end of the current season. The thing is that the team lost three cup ties in an row before the season began. To understand the situation, Mantengwane fans buy players and select the team. They know how to win the championship. If  a player is off form, he is rubbish. The same player turns hero the next day if he scores the winning goal. The most vocal of KK's critics are his best fans in good times. It is a pity.

The concern of the team being unstable with too much rotation has been raised by an elite few. It makes sense that the technical team should wait for the beginning of the season to see which players fit well in which positions. Conventionally, you expect a team building exercise in real competitive matches and not friendlies. The team should be winning as you make mistakes. And finally we did have some positivity from the analysts of the last loss, that Bosso did not concede a goal in open play.

A sentiment against the excuse that the head coach was in the UK for the UEFA B License was that KK did not take passing and space creation with him to London. There was a general consensus of lack of seriousness and patriotism on the part of the Zambian. "Three Cups played so far in 2014, and we still wish 'it shall be well'. There is certainly something we are not doing right.", lamented one fan, another adding, "I'm actually tired of this 'it shall be well' thing. We need the championship this year".

Of the many comments and cries, it is not clear how many come from those who attend the training sessions. It could be emotional sentiments that have nothing to do with what the coaches see from the players at their disposal at the training grounds. "You have been given all best players and resources to take the league but I am doubting your commitment to the club." The rest of this comment was deeply thought and a grave concern of the way forward was a huge concern to the fan. What I am unsure of, is the truth of the statement. Does Tshilamoya have the best central and wing defenders? Are the midfielders the best in Zimbabwe? Is the strike-force one to reckon with? What about the goalkeepers, training grounds, salaries, bonuses and buses? With all due respect, I do not think it could be so, no matter how one wishes. Yet, KK must deliver with mediocre conditions, situations and circumstances.

My personal humble opinion was that it is still early days, the beginning of the season. KK does courses to coach Bosso better. There is sensationalists who expect the team to win by magic because it is Highlanders and they love and support it. Knowledge is power and as in any profession, nothing beats having the know-how, the education, and experience of course. The gaffer has still plenty to learn. He has the UEFA A and UEFA Pro to attend later in his coaching life. He still needs to know about 'periodization and scheduling', which are full-time courses on their own. The issue is that nobody cares. They want the wins and cups and championships.

If Bosso employed coaches who do not have coach education, they would need to depend on holy water and holy spirit. KK may feel the heat of his abuse concerning the training he undergoes overseas and leave the team. The benefactors would be his next destination, Bosso arch-rivals. The cruelty of the game is that even the unqualified can coach any team to victory. Highlanders can take that chance. I think we should not go there but I was just saying.

Thinking of how the coach can abandon a team in crucial times hurts, but we must understand what goes on in courses of that nature. The candidates have to complete assignments and meet certain deadlines. He's got to supply the information about his planning and execution of the job that he does with his team and hand that over to UEFA or the FA to see if he's on the right track. Any shortcomings found are pointed out and he has to come back and work on his shortfalls and go back again. The courses are very expensive and these organisations, UEFA and the English FA have a reputation to protect and ethics to live by. 

The margins of error in football success are minute and the variables are uncountable. Matches are decided by split seconds, one touch, a turn and a tight quick decision on the part of the players. You can coach all you want, but the options to execute those lie with the players. The coach is trained to identify the negligible details and ingrain that in the players.

Any aspect of football is not trained and mastered in a minute. Repetition is key. That is why players have to be trained from an early age until they retire, and usually the same things. Usually, all people clamour to say the coaches must say ABC. Football coaching is not verbal. It is technique training of repetition of everything over a life-time.

Also, a line-up is not a system as many would have us believe. It is the roles of the people in the line-up that determines the system. The players' form is one thing of concern. One day they are in good mood and play a blinder and then falter the next week. Others run hot and cold in the same match. Then there is the moody type and all. Usually, all of us at the stands do not know or understand these factors or players. There is no instrument to tell that a good player who is off-form is about to run hot or turn cold. You have 11 players to observe and another 5 who could better or worsen what you are dealing with. There is the 11 players of the opposition and their subs to take into account. That is football.

All coaches depend on those situations, how they turn out, to feed their families. A loss does not do any CV any favours. Factoring all that in, the coach with all his certificates, still has his error in judgement as an ingredient to that concoction. For football fans, the ball must go between the posts. If not, the coach is rubbish and when it does, the players are good.

Of the many other positives drawn from that last loss, there were still causes for concern as some found 'genuine reasons to ring alarm bells'. This was based on the team's lack of cohesion. The fan pointed out that all the pre-season hype had turned into agony for the fans. I think that opinion was far-fetched when it was extrapolated to Bosso 'fighting to stay out of the bottom three in this coming season'. This was in sharp contrast to; "I think it is good that we see the weaknesses now and hopefully they will be rectified as the season progresses. I still believe the team will gel and do the business where it matters most, especially towards the business end of the season."

Another sober thought was; "We have to support Kelvin Kaindu at all cost and expect him to plough back to our team. Barry Daka went to Brazil and Barretto to USA for their coaching advancement and they came back and won things for us and produced more coaches". The varied opinions can not all be correct. They just prove that one man's football is another man's folly. Football is an easy game and we all fight to complicate it.

Is it better for KK to go to the UK for his badges and the team sinks, or that the team sinks without his trips?

Snippet 3: The book; What Highlanders need right now!

Rahman was solely responsible for the results but we lost our jobs at the same time, despite getting the results. I am not blaming anyone.

A new environment and the size of the responsibility for me were overwhelming. I had been Gumbo's coaching instructor in his coach training and therefore could not deputise him. It was two bulls in the same kraal, never easy on job ethics.

One of my greatest moments at the Club was a match against local city rivals. We beat AmaZulu Football Club at Luveve 4-2 coming from 0-2 at half, in one of Bosso’s best ever games.

My stay at Bosso is characterised by two trophies after we beat Dynamos within weeks of each other. It was a Dairiboard Charity Cup at Barbourfields Stadium and the Independence Cup at the National Sports Stadium of Harare.

I am very proud of the achievements of the development program that produced Honour Gombami among others. During my stay there, Mkhokheli Dube and Gilbert Banda were fast maturing and it is fulfilling to see where they are now.

Johannes Ngodzo played his worst football then because he was a Railstars player before he joined Bosso. He had refused my attempts to keep him there.

In reuniting with him at Tshilamoya, the feeling of guilt hindered his game despite my assurances and encouragement.

He could only get his touch back in years to come. The upcoming team of that time had potential to move mountains. I proposed the Division 2 football then. 

It sounded ridiculous then to have two Highlanders teams registered in different leagues. I am glad the system is in operation now.

Working with Kenny Ndebele, Liqhwa Gama and Isaac Mlilo under the leadership of Mangwana Tshuma was a rewarding experience. There was never a single moment that salaries were not paid on time.

Everyone was paid their friendly matches appearance fees at the stadium. For international matches, the payment was in cash and 3 days before the travel dates. That was efficiency.

The support given by Nhlanhla Bahlangene Dube and Onius Ndebele was encouraging. They assisted in their personal capacities.

I had tremendous support and a great relationship with ‘abadala bempankeni’, the Board. They were very encouraging indeed.

In a different world and at a different time I could have served Bosso in a telling way. I have a conviction that I could have won Africa Champions League with that team and management. I really do.

I still harbour the ambitions to do so. Time will tell and that is a story for another day.