HIGHLANDERS fans are divided over the proposed “boycott” of their remaining Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) matches, starting with the game against ZPC Kariba at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.
A plan has been hatched to boycott matches and instead attend a function at the club house to mobilise funds to pay the fine imposed on the club last week.
The calls have been coming from a wide section of the Bulawayo giants’ fans, including members and former executive committee members, unhappy with PSL’s indictment of the club to a hearing for the abandonment of the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-finals clash against Simba Bhora at Wadzanayi Stadium on September 22.
The Bosso faithful are also not amused after their club was sanctioned and made to pay a fine of US$6 000 for crowd trouble at the same venue.
Amplifying the call to shun the Sunday game, former Highlanders treasurer Busani Mthombeni said: “I will not be attending the remaining PSL home matches this season. This is me standing on the higher ground! I will pay my ticket directly to Highlanders FC.”
While several fans and members chose to be militant and combative over the boycott issue, club supporters’ chapters elected to be diplomatic and said it is a matter of a personal choice.
Sisinga Bhekumuzi Mahlangu, chairperson of the Emganwini chapter of the Highlanders supporters, said: “As a chapter, people are divided over the issue. It would be a good cause to go to the club house as a fund-raising event to pay the fine, but others are saying the club needs the money from the turnstiles.
“Going to BF or to the club house will be a personal choice. As for me, the word boycott is too radical. It would be best to say there will be a fund-raising event at the club house. I am yet to decide whether I will go to BF or not.”
- Bosso fans divided over ‘boycott’
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His sentiments were echoed by the chairman of the Cowdray Park chapter, Nhlanhla Bango Dube.
“People will have to split for choice. As a chapter, we have no control over where people will choose to go on Sunday. I am also yet to decide where to go,” Dube said.
Harare chapter chairman Joel Ncube said: “As a chapter, we do not have a position. It is a matter of choice. You are supporters and we cannot say don’t go or go. We cannot decide. After all, we are all supporters.”
At the weekend, after an emotive week following Highlanders’ being summoned and fined by the PSL, the club issued a statement.
“In the face of all this, let us choose higher ground. Highlanders FC asks you to remain calm as we wade through all this,” read part of the statement by club chairman Kenneth Mhlophe.
“We call upon all our supporters and football loving members to maintain peace and to refrain from violence, verbally or physically. Let us stand together.”
