Fungai Muderere

Zimpapers Sports Hub

HIGHLANDERS say they are yet to engage a new coach amid club benefactor Wicknell Chivayo’s promise to pay Banjani Mwaruwari salary and benefits if they consider him.

Bosso have since parted ways Dutch coach Hendrik Pieter de Jongh whose contract is set to expire on December 31.

“The position of the club is that we don’t have a coach right now,” said Highlanders chief executive officer Denzel Mkandla.

“As you can see we separated with Mr De Jongh. There is no appointment of a coach that has taken place.”

Posting on social media, Chivayo said that he has already held discussions with Benjani who has shown interest.

“Mkoma Benji confirmed that he would have an interest (in coaching Highlanders), provided that I exclusively guarantee all his contractual interests, should Highlanders consider him for the top job,” Chivayo wrote on his Facebook page.

“I was deeply humbled by such a condition, which I also considered fair and reasonable for a football icon of his stature. Following this quick development, through my curator, I proposed that, subject to the Highlanders FC governance structures, they consider appointing him through their formal internal processes.”

Chivayo said the arrangement with Mwaruwari would fall outside the US$1 million sponsorship package he pledged to the club.

“I committed that, outside my US$1 million donation, I would personally secure and safeguard his contractual benefits over and above the sponsorship package, which remains available to help Bosso sign quality players for the 2026 Premier League season.

“ . . . I must, however, state clearly here and now that if the club opts for a different coach, the sponsorship package remains in place for the benefit of the team — but the additional conditions will not apply.”

Mwaruwari is at the moment involved in Plymouth Argyle development sides in the United Kingdom (UK).