Former Highlanders coach Barry Daka has reportedly snubbed the Bulawayo football giants, who recently approached him for the post of director of coaching.
Sources yesterday told NewsDay Sport Daka, who has been based in Botswana for a decade, last week received an offer letter from Bosso from his son Mayfield via fax and he was not happy.
The Bulawayo football giants, the source said, had offered the veteran coach a salary of $800 and he said he would not be taking the job.
“Mayfield sent him the offer letter by fax and Daka said he would not be coming back to work for Highlanders. I understand Highlanders had offered him a salary of $800 and that is probably the reason why he refused to take the job,” the source said.
Daka and Mayfield were yesterday not available for comment.
Highlanders chairman Themba Ndlela, responsible for making comments on appointments, was also not reachable for comment yesterday.
However, Bosso last month advertised in the media for the post of director of coaching.
They intend to concentrate on the Highlanders Academy as the club seeks to revitalise the yesteryear vibrant junior policy.
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According to Ndlela, the director of coaching will have a 20% input into the senior team with his main thrust on the juniors from which the club hopes to enlist players into the senior team, without having to look for players outside their ranks.
If Daka has does not take up the job, other names that have been touted for the job are former coaches Willard Mashinkila-Khumalo and Cosmas “Tsano” Zulu, who holds the same position at lower division side Zimbabwe Leopards.
Highlanders have partnered with Canada-based First Mobile Sports Academy, run by Isaac Mbedzi, for the envisaged success of the academy, hence the creation of the director of coaching role.
Another senior player, Bekithemba “Super” Ndlovu, will be assisting newly-appointed head coach and former striker Zambian national Kelvin Kaindu, who is expected to join the team on January 15.
Kaindu has been assistant coach at Zambian side Zanaco and many Highlanders supporters have questioned the wisdom of his appointment.
Gift “Thebe” Lunga, who was an inspiration to the youngsters in the first half of the season last year, has hung up his boots and has been roped in as coach in the academy.
Former midfielder Amin Soma-Phiri is the new manager, taking over from Jerry Sibanda, who is eyeing a post in the forthcoming elections.
Juniors who were recruited into the senior team last year and signed long contracts include Honest Moyo, Arnold Ndiweni, Mgcini Sibanda, Sijabuliso Ndlovu and goalkeeper Archford Katsande.
