US$500 000 debt hangs over Bosso

HIGHLANDERS' long-standing financial troubles have resurfaced ahead of the club's Annual General Meeting (AGM) this Sunday, with revelations that Bosso are reportedly running a deficit of around US$500 000. Members attending the meeting at the club's Bulawayo clubhouse are expected to demand transparency on the state of the finances and whether the leadership can resolve years of debt accumulation and operational challenges.

Despite mounting pressure, chief executive officer Denzel Mnkandla has refrained from commenting on the figures, noting that the audit process is still being finalised.

"The club has the Exco Member Finance (Nkani Khoza) working with auditors, finalising the audit of the club accounts. My suggestion is to wait for the outcome of the process before pre-empting issues," Mnkandla said.

Highlanders' financial difficulties are compounded by unpaid obligations within the technical department and lingering costs from terminated contracts — a recurring problem for the club across multiple seasons. Earlier, the club only managed to settle a US$11 000 debt to former coach Kelvin Kaindu in October, months after his mid-year departure.

The crisis is now threatening to escalate into legal disputes, with claims reportedly owed to former head coach Hendrik Pieter de Jongh, assistants Try Ncube and Agent Sawu, and goalkeeper trainer Tembo Chuma. De Jongh's dispute has reached the FIFA Legal Portal, raising fears of international sanctions and recalling past conflicts with foreign coaches.

Sources indicate that De Jongh's claim covers unpaid prize money as well as medical bills incurred while under contract. The Dutch coach has rejected the club's attempt to apply a collective "60-40" policy — where players share 40 percent of prize money and the club retains 60 percent — to his earnings.

For Highlanders supporters, the scenario echoes recent history. Just three years ago, a dispute with former coach Baltemar Brito led to a FIFA transfer ban that was only lifted after a US$26 000 settlement funded by businessman Wicknell Chivayo. The incident remains a sensitive point whenever fresh financial claims arise.

Additional claims have been lodged by Agent Sawu, seeking compensation for what he considers a contract breach. Meanwhile, Tembo Chuma has already moved to MWOS FC, leaving Highlanders to handle the mounting financial obligations alone.

On the sporting side, Highlanders have appointed South African tactician Thabo Senong and former striker Mkhokheli "Mshoza" Dube to stabilise the team, but Sunday's AGM is expected to focus heavily on financial transparency and the club's ability to resolve past debts — making it one of the most consequential meetings in recent memory.