Highlanders stay quiet as Mwaruwari rumors fly in Bulawayo

Benjani rumors swirl while Highlanders stay silent, and an AGM looms.

Benjani speculation

• Benjani Mwaruwari is strongly linked with the Bosso coaching job, and he is widely tipped to have Thabo Senong as his assistant
• He has kept his cards close, declining to be drawn into the discussion when contacted last night
• Rumors have been circulating across WhatsApp groups, social media platforms, and the city’s football spaces

Club response

• Denzel Mnkandla, the Highlanders chief executive officer, said the club will not confirm anything until there is a signed and final agreement in place
• The club has not spoken about or responded to the Benjani issue, and it will remain that way until an agreement exists

Backroom reshuffle

• Insiders say the backroom staff are being quietly restructured, and former Bosso player Mkhokheli Dube is expected to become the second assistant coach
• The reorganisation is aimed at tightening structures and speeding up decision-making

Impact on planning

• The coaching delay has begun to affect planning, recruitment, and clarity within the dressing room
• The club is heading into its annual general meeting on Sunday, and members are putting pressure on leadership for answers and direction
• Supporters are impatient as the pre-season period nears its end, and players remain uncertain about who will lead them

Supporter views

• Many fans want Highlanders to take the gamble on the former Portsmouth and Manchester City striker, believing his profile could lift the club
• Jongilanga Ndondo points to Benjani’s pedigree as a player, and he notes that people are willing to back his salary
• Winston Banda says backing a Bulawayo boy could rebuild the club’s appeal to fans, sponsors, and recruits
• Rambirai Zvoma urges patience, preferring to wait for official communication from the club
• Progress Mutsamusha Sibanda calls for supporters to rally behind the team, arguing that supporting Bosso is a lifestyle
• Cathrine Mkhwananzi stresses loyalty to the badge rather than to individuals who come and go

Financial backer

• Wicknell Chivayo has offered to pay Mwaruwari’s salary, and insiders say that financial intervention shifted dynamics while Senong was discussed as a preferred candidate
• Chivayo is also said to have pledged funding for a pre-season camp, and he has committed support for player recruitment

AGM focus

• With the AGM days away, Mnkandla said the immediate focus is on the meeting, where members will be briefed on preparations, the financial audit, and the path forward
• The club is working hard to ensure the meeting is a success, and it will use the gathering to outline season readiness and direction