shloboe boe
Lovemore Dube
HIGHLANDERS chairman, Kenneth Mhlophe, has commended his technical team for showing faith in players from their junior development structures.
He said promoting juniors to the first team is the way to go. Young players are marketable if well-groomed and can earn club revenue, which can go a long way toward achieving a self-sustaining position.
“Football business is in the sale of players. It is not just any player but the right one, with great technical touch, discipline and age on his side. Whoever buys our player wants to make business out of him at the right ages.
“If our juniors are not playing then the future is not good for the club. Players are our own business and the single most disposable asset we can sell,” said Mhlophe.
Mhlophe said he is happy that the technical team last season used many home grown players with a bright future.
Kelvin Kaindu was recruited as head coach alongside his assistants Agent Sawu and Try Ncube.
While there was resistance on Sawu, after the club that had scored 24 goals in 2023, but found the back of the net 43 times, Mhlophe and his executive were exonerated. The team played with hunger for goals with Lynoth Chikuhwa, the country’s top marksman.
“I was impressed with the coaching department. They threw in our youngsters, scored more goals and gave us some moments with some breathtaking goals. We have juniors who are loyal to the institution and appreciate the culture and expectations.
“Any player coming from the junior ranks wants game time to improve and gain experience. I have no doubt some of the juniors will be key on our way forward and will not disappoint as they know the rigours of Premiership football,” said Mhlophe.
He praised former players, the Class of 1998 who came forward to contribute five match balls for the juniors.
“They understand where they came from and emphasise the value of junior development,” said Mhlophe.
Highlanders paraded Talent Dube, Gillian Nyathi, Nigel Banda, Mvelo Khoza, Mayibongwe Ndlovu, Honest Mhlanga and Prince Ndlovu.
The youngsters while a smaller pack than players of yesteryear except the imposing Nyathi, showed a lot of potential that in years to come they may be the backbone of the team.
They played with hunger to impress and earned themselves plaudits. The skills and determination of Khoza and Prince were something else, the stuff that has always been associated with Highlanders crowds, which love dribbling that is accompanied with creativity and goals.
Among the seniors were the likes of Andrew Mbeba, Chikuhwa, Godfrey Makaruse, Reward Muza, Ariel Sibanda, Darlington Mukuli and the Mushore brothers, Mason and Mckinnon.
“I am happy we had players with the Highlanders DNA and we will continue to implore our coaches to use our products. We appreciate the support we have been getting from our members and supporters for the juniors. Some come with material donations and just to see the Highlanders family, board, executive and supporters at junior matches is a lovely sight,” said the Bosso boss.
Highlanders have lost Peter Muduhwa, Chikuhwa, Marvelous Chigumira and Makaruse and will be hard pressed to find replacements of equal measure.
The club is working round the clock to pay Brito Baltemar and his assistant their dues amounting to about US$25 000 or risk a Fifa transfer ban from this window.
Siphakeme .Mnindwa
