HIGHLANDERS board of directors chairman Mgcini Nkolomi says he will not step down to contest the position of executive chairman in next January’s election, despite a concerted push by some club members. THANDIWE MOYO SPORTS CORRESPONDENT The country’s second most successful and supported club will hold elections for the post of chairman, currently held by Peter Dube, secretary general and committee member.
Andrew Tapela, the secretary is not eligible to stand as he has served the constitutional two terms while Charles Moyo, the committee member, can seek re-election.
Speaking to Southern Eye Sport yesterday, Nkolomi said: “It is the first time I am hearing that, but it does not make sense. How can I move from being chairman of the board to being in the executive? I do not think it makes sense.”
Dube took over the top post from Themba Ndlela. Former chairman Ernest “Maphepha” Sibanda has been named as one of the frontrunners in the elections. Emmet Ndlovu, the former team medic, is consulting the Highlanders family.
However, most of the candidates have been coy on their intentions.
Sibanda was the last Highlanders chairman to win the championship in 2006 when Methembe Ndlovu was coach and had such stars at Tapuwa Kapini, Ralph Matema, Honour Gombami, Vusa Nyoni, Obadiah Tarumbwa, Zephaniah and Johannes Ngodzo and Zenzo Moyo, who had returned from stints in Cyprus and Greece.
Nkolomi would not be drawn into commenting much on the forthcoming elections, maintaining that he was not considering the notion of standing for any Bosso executive post.
“I am not entertaining that at the moment,” he said.
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Board secretary Jimmy Ncube said he was surprised supporters were calling for Nkolomi to be chairman as they have not heard it.
“We have not heard about that,” he said.
“At the moment I would rather not say anything until we have our meeting tomorrow (tonight). That is when I can then say whether it was discussed or not. But I will tell you that it comes as a surprise.”
Bosso has previously been under the chairmanship of Kennedy Ndebele, now the Premier Soccer League chief executive officer (CEO), Rodger Muhlwa, the late charismatic James Mangwana Tshuma and Ndumiso Gumede, who is now the club’s chief executive officer.
Next year’s elections will take place on the backdrop of a poor 2014 season where Highlanders are likely to finish in seventh spot and without a trophy after losing in all cup competitions — CG Msipa Charity Shield, Independence Trophy, One Wallet Cup, TM Challenge Cup and Chibuku Super Cup.
They will also not play in the Mbada Diamonds Cup — a competition they won with a resounding 3-0 victory over How Mine on November 30 at Barbourfields Stadium last season.
This year they have parted ways with coach Kelvin Kaindu, suspended players and have been fined for crowd violence, among many other issues.
