HIGHLANDERS Football Club will this year not hold their annual player awards due to budgetary constraints, club chairman Peter Dube confirmed yesterday. FORTUNE MBELE SPORTS REPORTER
Dube said they were more pressing issues that needed attention at the club and if all went well, the awards would be held at a later date.
“We are looking at our budgetary power and as it stands, we have more pressing issues than spreading our budget on player awards. However, if anything, they might be held at a later stage. It is not anything that we are prioritising at the moment,” Dube said yesterday.
On Tuesday, Dube said cash-strapped Bosso riddled with a debt nearing $500 000, were still waiting for the document spelling out their budget for the 2014 season from their principal sponsors BancABC, as they continue to negotiate new player contracts.
A shot in the arm was their winning the $130 000 Mbada Diamonds Cup.
A majority of the players at the Bulawayo giants that make the core of the team, have their contracts expiring on December 31 and indications are the club has found it more pressing to shelve the individual club awards and concentrate on renewing their player deals.
Mthulisi Maphosa, Peter “Rio” Moyo, Masimba Mambare, Njabulo Ncube, Bruce Tshuma, Dumisani Ndlovu, Heritein Masuku, Bhekimpilo Ncube, Erick Mudzingwa and goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya have their contracts expiring at the end of the month.
First choice goalkeeper Diya is likely to join the great trek to South Africa for Golden Arrows.
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Besides, sources at the club have also indicated that before he left for Zambia after the end of the season, coach Kelvin Kaindu and his assistants had recommended the players they would want to work with next season — but close to 10 players are in the departure lounge.
Master Masitara and Tinashe Chipunza joining the club in mid-season, did not bring any joy for Bosso. Tshuma, Beaven Chikaka, Lawson Nkomo, Bhekimpilo Ncube, Masuku and third choice goalkeeper Archieford Katsande are said to be facing the chop.
Some of the players reportedly on Bosso’s radar are Triangle’s Pascal Manhanga, Hwange’s Erick Chipeta, How Mine’s Timothy January and Khumbulani Banda while Rahman Kutsanzira and Joel “Josta” Ngodzo, Charles Sibanda and Welcome Ndiweni of FC Platinum, are keen on returning to Bulawayo to Highlanders.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League soccer star of the year second runner-up Kudakwashe Mahachi, a former Bosso junior, is reportedly eager to join Highlanders.
Left-back Bruce Kangwa, who had been tipped to dominate this year’s awards and midfielder Simon Munawa, are some of the only senior players who still have running contracts with Bosso.
