HIGHLANDERS Football Club officially unveiled former Manchester City striker and Warriors captain Benjani Mwaruwari as the new head coach, a move that has immediately split opinion among the club’s passionate supporters.
The move is widely seen as the club caving in to pressure from its key benefactor, businessman Wicknell Chivayo, who reportedly made his continued financial support conditional on Mwaruwari taking charge of the struggling side.
Mwaruwari, a revered former national team captain, recently graduated with a diploma in football coaching from Leeds.
Nicknamed the Undertaker, Mwaruwari touched down at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo yesterday at 12 noon where he was received by the Highlanders executive.
In a press statement issued yesterday, Bosso described Mwaruwari as a respected football legend with vast experience, leadership qualities and a deep understanding of the game, saying the appointment signals the beginning of an “exciting new trajectory” for the Bulawayo giants.
“We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Benjani Mwaruwari as the senior team head coach,” Highlanders said in a statement.
“A respected figure and legend of the game who is highly qualified, Benjani brings a wealth of experience, leadership and deep understanding of the game as the club embarks on an exciting new trajectory.”
Highlanders added that details of the full technical set-up would be announced in due course as preparations for the 2026 season continue.
Mwaruwari said he was excited to be part of the Highlanders team and promised back those glory days.
“I am more than happy. As you know that I am from Bulawayo and I played for Highlanders at junior level,” he said.
“I grew up supporting Highlanders, so I am priviledged and I am honoured to be the coach of Highlanders.
“I know we have the best fans, the atmosphere we all know when things are moving well we enjoy it hopefully.
“I promise to bring those glory days back.”
The unveiling of Mwaruwari also cast uncertainty over the future of South African coach Thabo Senong, who had been hired by Highlanders prior to yesterday’s unveiling.
The club has not clarified whether Senong has been released, reassigned or is set to receive a pay-out, a silence that has sparked further outrage among fans already concerned about the club’s financial health.
“You don’t just replace a coach and say nothing about the other one,” said a supporter based in Gwanda Jason Ncube.
“That’s how clubs end up drowning in debt.”
Highlanders have been dragged to Fifa by their former coach Pieter de Jong who claims he is owed money for services rendered to the club last year.
Last year, Chivayo stepped in to settle a US$27 000 debt owed to former coaches — a liability that had triggered a Fifa transfer ban and threatened the club’s ability to register players.
Despite the club’s optimism, reaction from the black-and-white faithful has been largely negative, with many fans questioning both the process that led to the appointment and Benjani’s coaching credentials at elite level.
“Benjani as a player, was world class, but coaching is a different job altogether,” wrote one supporter on social media.
“This looks like a decision forced on the club, not one made in the best interests of Bosso,” commented another.
Others accused the club’s leadership of abandoning promises of transparency and professionalism, saying the appointment deepens mistrust between the executive and supporters.
Mwaruwari played for Air Zimbabwe Jets in Zimbabwe before he moved to South Africa where he featured for Jomo Cosmos, scoring 20 goals in 64 appearances between 1999 and 2002.
He later moved to Europe with Swiss club Grasshopper Zürich in 2001.
Over a 15-year professional tenure, Mwaruwari featured for prominent clubs including AJ Auxerre in France (2004–2006), Portsmouth (2006–2008 and 2010–2011) and Manchester City (2008–2010), amassing over 200 appearances in top-tier leagues and competitions like Ligue 1 and the Premier League.
He represented Zimbabwe from 1999 to 2010, earning 42 caps and scoring 10 goals in Fifa-recognised matches, captaining the Warriors at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations and netting a memorable goal against Ghana in the tournament.
After retiring in 2014 following stints with Chippa United and Bidvest Wits in South Africa, Mwaruwari transitioned into coaching,