Wage storm rocks Highlanders

Highlanders Football Club has been thrust into turmoil following explosive revelations of massive salary disparities within the squad, as the club prepares for one of its biggest squad overhauls in decades.

Reports indicate that while some development players earn up to US$600, a senior squad member - credited with helping Bosso avoid relegation - is taking home just US$325, a figure that has not changed since 2023. The revelation has triggered outrage among supporters, who say the situation exposes deep structural and financial failures within the institution.

Bosso's wage burden stands at US$72 000 per month for 42 players. However, sponsors are covering only US$41 000, leaving a crippling US$31 000 shortfall that the club must scrape together monthly in order to stay afloat. Fans have questioned why such an inflated wage bill has yielded poor returns on the field.

Chief executive officer Denzil Mnkandla attempted to ease the tension, stating that the club has contract-standardisation mechanisms in place.

"Contract upgrade processes and gradings are in place," he said.

However, critics argue that the response failed to address why the disgruntled senior player - central to the outrage - has been stuck at the same salary for nearly two years.

This is not the first time Bosso's player management policies have come under scrutiny. Earlier this year, a Zimpapers Sports Hub investigation unearthed the case of Simba Madzivire, who received a residential stand as a signing-on fee yet struggled to break into the first team. The incident intensified long-standing concerns over scouting and development quality.

Only one player - Andrew Mbeba - has graduated from Bosso 90 into the senior setup in the past six years, a worrying statistic for a club historically known for prolific talent production. The breakdown has been reflected on the pitch, where Highlanders narrowly escaped relegation this season.

Mnkandla maintained that structures still exist.

"These processes remain in place going into the coming season, including how players are recruited, retained and released," he said.

Yet fears persist that without decisive cuts, Bosso may carry underperforming players into its centenary year in 2026.

Adding to the tension is uncertainty in the technical department. Bosso recently parted ways with coach Pieter de Jongh - credited with helping secure survival - continuing a cycle of short-lived technical tenures stretching back to 2019.

"The club has a committee that sits to discuss coaching and technical appointments," Mnkandla said.

"Once concluded, official channels will be used to communicate a position."

The situation escalated further this week when Highlanders rejected a major proposal from businessman and sponsor Wicknell Chivayo. His offer reportedly included full financial backing for former Warriors striker Benjani Mwaruwari as head coach and an additional US$1 million investment to modernise the club. The decision has divided fans, with some arguing Bosso protected its identity, while others believe the club walked away from a lifeline.

With 2026 marking 100 years of Highlanders' existence, the club now stands at a defining crossroads. Salary tensions, recruitment flaws, financial strain and coaching instability have converged into one of the most volatile storms in Bosso's modern history.

Whether the institution emerges stronger or sinks further will depend on how boldly it confronts the crisis now laid bare.

The next move may determine whether the centenary is celebrated with pride - or regret.