HIGHLANDERS have prevented controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo from dictating their on-going coach recruitment process amid a torrent of disparaging remarks made by supporters on social media.
The Bulawayo giants’ fans on Monday woke up to a social media post by Chivayo indicating that he had met with legend Benjani Mwaruwari and discussed the former Warriors’ skipper coaching Highlanders and he would take care of his contractual obligation.
Following the barrage of comments on social media, Highlanders released a press statement in the middle of the night, responding to Chivayo’s post.
“Highlanders Football Club recognises the gesture by our benefactor Sir Wicknell Chivayo, in which he made a proposal to facilitate and take care of Benjani Mwaruwari if he were to be engaged as the clubs head coach,” the statement read.
“While the news is greatly appreciated and the club believes he acted with the best interests of the club at heart, the club would like to remind its stakeholders that there are processes and procedures that are in place that speak to the hiring of technical and playing staff.
“The club is in the process of finalising with a potential candidate to take over from (Pieter) de Jongh in time for the coming season.
“This development will be shared with the Highlanders FC family once concluded.”
The club paid tribute to Chivayo for the gesture.
- Big send-off for Cont Mhlanga
- Inside sport: The right way to do it
- Highlanders’ away woes continue
- Inside sport: Let’s fight Zim football’s hooliganism menace
Keep Reading
Chivayo’s action was met with mixed sentiments from a wide spectrum of football fans in the country and abroad.
Highlanders life membe Faith Silandulo Dube said Mwaruwari was not fit to coach Bosso
“The Highlanders’ performance issues are not coaching-related,” Dube said.
“Now that the position is vacant, I do not believe Benji would be a suitable coach at present. I appreciate Benji, but not at this time and through the proposed takeover route.
“The team requires a structural overhaul.”
He said if he had someone bankrolling the coach project, he would have Joel Luphahla, Johannes Ngodzo or Thulani “Biya” Ncube to take over at Bosso.
Lawyer Sindiso Shepherd Mazibisa said: “This is now nonsense.
“Bosso is being sacrificed for pieces of silver here.
“Benji is a great guy, very great but this plan is sinister.”
Another lawyer Siphosami Malunga posted on Facebook saying Chivayo’s gesture amounted to capture.
“Highlanders: It’s not philanthropy if you give and tell the recipient how to use the gift, who must manage it, and more,” Malunga posted.
“It’s power mongering and self-serving control.
“Keep your help if you can’t give it without such conditions.
“I know proper billionaires, who give anonymously.”
One VaDube Samaita said Chivayo’s idea was good, but the businessman should let Highlanders have its own coach.
He said: It’s a good idea but you should have opted to sponsor a coach who would have been recruited by the Highlanders’ executive, instead of imposing Benjani on the team.”
Roy Ronnie Man also said Mwaruwari was not a good coach.
“A good student doesn’t necessarily become a good teacher...can we please have his track record as a coach evaluate it then maybe we can take it from there otherwise you are imposing him on this team basically from what he achieved it as an on-field player,” he said.
Football administrator, businessman, ex-Zimbabwe Saints executive member and former chairman of the Zifa Central Region, Patrick Hokonya, praised Highlanders for their immediate response to Chivayo.
“I want to publicly applaud Highlanders for their recent press statement reminding Wicknell Chivayo of the hierarchy at the club,” Hokonya said.
“After reading Chivayo’s recent social media post regarding Benjani Mwaruwaru, I was struck by the sheer arrogance displayed.
“It is crucial to remind all stakeholders that Highlanders is not just a team; it is a massive institution built on values that money simply cannot buy.
“Since 1926, Highlanders has survived not because of the deep pockets of fleeting benefactors, but because of a solid foundation laid by its founding fathers and sustained by the community.
“Powerful individuals have come and gone, yet the club remains standing.
“It survives because of its historical link to the people, who love it.
“For a sponsor to attempt to dictate how the club conducts its business is not only rude, it is fundamentally disrespectful to that history.”
Recently, incoming coach of the 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions Scottland coach Norman Mapeza was unveiled at Chivayo’s office.
The businessman has splashed US$1 million on Highlanders, paid in tranches and saved the Bulawayo giants from the jaws of a Fifa censure after paying off former coach Baltemar Brito and his assistant’s dues.
