Bosso use and dumps players, claims Biya

EX Highlanders captain Thulani "Biya" Ncube, who is based in the United States says his former club is fond of using and later dumping players.

He made the sensational remarks on the sidelines of his annual Biya and Friends Junior tournament that was played last Saturday at Gwabalanda's Amakhosi Ground in Bulawayo.

Ncube who is regarded as one of the best defenders to have donned the black and white jersey, said Bosso had to let him go and join South Africa's Ajax Cape Town in 2002 knowing he was injured.

He recalls the then club's executive refusing to release him to any team when he was at his peak. His break came at the stroke of a career threatening right knee injury which he picked while at Bosso.

Biya did not stay long at Ajax, but had to thank his long time mentor Methembe Ndlovu who helped facilitate his entry into US football.

"They did not have the wish to let me go for greener pastures while I was fully fit. I know this will not go down well with the executive but Bosso will use and dump players. When I was injured they were nowhere to be seen and they had to sell me to Ajax Cape Town in that state. I had a terrible knee injury," said a soft-spoken but bitter Biya who won three championships with Bosso.

Despite his career being cut short by injury, Biya is remembered as one of the players who were committed to Highlanders and to the national team - at a time when local football paid peanuts.

Not only was Biya a calculative central defender, he also initiated attacks and could score crucial goals as well.

He also possessed good leadership skills, no wonder he captained three sides during the peak of his career. He won the championship with Bosso in the 1998-1999 season, 2000 and 2001.

"I will always remember my days at Bosso and with the national team. I must say I was surrounded by good guys. What I cherish the most is captaining Bosso, the national Under-23 team and the senior national team at the same time," said the former player.

"However, in 2004 I had to turn down a senior national team Afcon call up. I openly told then Warriors coach Sunday Chidzambwa that I was then intending to venture into business in the US. I would have loved to feature in the Afcon finals but I just could not and Sunday understood my situation," he said.

Biya (38) rose from a relatively disadvantaged community to become a gem in the history of Zimbabwean football.

He went to Inzwananzi Primary School before going to Inyanda Secondary School in Luveve. While still at primary school, he played for a local team in Gwabalanda called Cambridge Stars before joining Zimbabwe Saints juniors when he was 14 years old.

He later moved to Bosso juniors where he met the likes of Richard Choruma and Gift Lunga (Jnr).

Meanwhile, Gwabalanda were this year's winners of the Biya and Friends junior tournament.

They beat First Mobile Soccer Academy of Cowdray Park 4-3 on penalties after both teams were tied to a goalless scoreline at regulation time. For being crowned champions, Gwabalanda were awarded $200, two sets of uniforms and a set of warm up t-shirts.

The other three clubs that took part each got full sets of uniforms.

The son to ex-Highlanders midfielder Farai Mujokoro, Lexington, who turned out for First Mobile Soccer Academy was voted Player of the Tournament. For his tireless efforts he went home with a training kit, football boosts and a bag.

Biya also pledged to pay third term school fees for three academically gifted form three pupils who go to Masotsha High, Inyanda High and Luveve High.