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Ndumiso Gumede blames media for Bosso's woes

by Sikhumbuzo Moyo
09 Oct 2015 at 09:13hrs | Views
HIGHLANDERS' chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede yesterday blamed the media for some of the club's woes that have left them staring relegation. Speaking at the club's weekly Press conference, Gumede claimed that some of Bosso's problems were being perpetuated by some journalists, who pretended to be supporters of the club.

Without mentioning any names, Gumede warned of "ramifications and repercussions" as a result of some of the bad press the club has been receiving.

"It's unfortunate that we are being shot down by our own people, some of who pretend to support the team and they are in this room. Such reports make our sponsors uneasy, but I must say that so far our sponsors are happy and we want to start contract extension talks," said Gumede without elaborating.

Highlanders' deal with principal sponsors BancABC expires in 2016.

Gumede also said the club would not respond to long time benefactor Tshinga Dube's letter calling on the executive and board to stand down.

Gumede said the club decided at its joint executive and board meeting on Wednesday that it would not respond to the Makokoba legislator's open letter published by Chronicle Sport on Wednesday.

"We agreed that we will not react to the statement by Dube because he of all people should understand that Highlanders operates under certain governance practices. We follow our constitution, which also has a provision for such," said Gumede.

Dube shot back saying the Bosso hierarchy must not behave as if the club was their personal property.

"What governance are they talking of? What we know is that the team is facing relegation and we are all embarrassed," said Dube.

"I chose that route (writing a letter) because they are no longer talking to us. All we know about Highlanders is through the papers. Go and ask them if ever they have come to us and presented their problems. They must know that communication is important, but now if I want to know about what is happening at Highlanders I have to buy a newspaper, hence my decision to express my views through the same means."

Dube also revealed that he had held a long conversation with Bosso board chairman Mgcini Nkolomi on their choice of head coach.

"I spent an hour talking to Nkolomi as I wanted to understand why they settled for a coach, who was not known and he said it was to do with their budget as they could not afford a foreign coach. I asked whether Highlanders was no longer our team, but was now owned by the executive and board. He remained adamant that they had already made their decision. That is where they messed up big time and all these problems are as a result of that decision on the coach," Dube said.

"If they are saying ngiphambanisile they must call for an extraordinary general meeting and we hear what the members will say, and if they too feel the same ngizaxolisa kubandla and we move on, but for now what is there, staring at us directly yikuthi iHighlanders iyahamba. It's facing relegation and we can't be happy about that; certainly not," he said.


Source - chronicle