THREE long-serving Highlanders players had an emotional farewell after the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match against Yadah at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday which marked the end of their contracts with the Bulawayo giants.
Captain Ariel Sibanda, vice-captain Peter Muduhwa, and striker Lynoth Chikuhwa remained on the pitch after the game, soaking in the applause from Bosso supporters as they waved goodbye. Muduhwa was visibly emotional, struggling to hold back tears, while Sibanda offered a shoulder to lean on.
Bosso coach Kelvin Kaindu declined to comment on the matter after the match.
"It's difficult to know whether someone is waving goodbye or trying to send a signal. I'd rather focus on the game we played, which was exciting," Kaindu said.
Sibanda, the longest-serving player at Highlanders having joined the club in 2008, had hinted in June that this would be his last year at Bosso.
NewsDay Sport reported that the goalkeeper had decided to leave Highlanders but was undecided about retiring from football or sign with another club.
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"I still have to think about it (retiring), but I feel I still have much to give to football. What I can say is that I still have to decide about this year and next year, but I think this is my last year at Highlanders," he told NewsDay Sport.
A source close to Chikuhwa revealed that the 2024 Premier Soccer League top goal scorer with 17 goals is bound for Scotland, with his contract set to expire in December. This confirms a story published in NewsDay Sport on Thursday. Unlike Muduhwa and Sibanda, who walked together waving goodbye, Chikuhwa took pictures with Bosso supporters and was the last player to leave the pitch.
Kaindu faces a daunting task in filling the gaps. Muduhwa joined the club in 2015 under the tutelage of Bongani Mafu and has been the most consistent player at the club. He left for Tanzanian outfit Simba FC in 2020 but rejoined Bosso after just six months.
Chikuhwa, who has consistently found the back of the net, scoring 10 goals in 2022, will leave a huge void that will require a suitable replacement with a dearth of natural finishers in local football.
Kaindu appeared resigned to losing his key players and indicated that he was already preparing for the future.
"We were anticipating (that), of course, we can't ignore the rumors that are circulating. If you hear those rumors, I think you need to start planning ahead of what is happening. As it is now, nobody has left. Everyone is still part of the team, but this is football. Everybody has an opportunity to go and look for greener pastures.
What is important is that the back four that we played today showed a lot of determination, even from the last game that they played (against Hwange), they continued from where they left off. If we have a defence that is able to shut out the caliber of Khama Billiat, it shows the future looks bright," said Kaindu.
Bosso played with a new-look back four, comprising three developmental side Bosso 90 products, left back Talent Dube, centre back Mason Mushore, and right back Mvelo Khoza, who gave as much as he took against the mercurial Billiat. Former Arenel Movers and Hwange centre back Brian Mlotshwa completed the back four, signalling Kaindu's readiness for life after Muduhwa.
Other senior players, including Andrew Mbeba, whose relationship with the coach is reportedly strained, and Arthur Ndlovu, were benched as Kaindu rang the changes. These changes were fueled by the early goals conceded against Hwange at the Colliery, where Bosso lost 4-3.
Meanwhile, Simba Bhora were crowned PSL champions on Saturday, despite losing to ZPC Kariba at Nyamhumga Stadium. Tonderayi Ndiraya, the Simba gaffer, wrote his name and that of the club in the history books of domestic football after leading a team that was promoted ast season to glory.
It was a sad day on Saturday for Southern Region football as three teams were relegated from the top-flight. Arenel made a quick return to Division One and was joined by Hwange and Bulawayo Chiefs. Chegutu Pirates completed the list of relegated teams. Bikita Minerals survived on the last day after defeating Hwange 2-1 at Wadzanayi Stadium.