Former Highlanders players form an association

The newly formed Former Highlanders Players Association, is hitting the ground running, moving fast in setting up operations and quickly looking to set up membership drive mechanisms and may even have a bank account by the time you read this.

FOHIPA was recently formed at the Bulawayo Cecil Hotel, in a meeting attended by at least 20 former Highlanders Football Club players and was chaired by the former forceful goalscorer, Zenzo Zemura Moyo, who illuminated the Barbourfields Stadium with great goals in his outstanding partnership with Joel Luphahla, then Thabani Masawi and later Sausto Phiri among others.

The meeting set up a committee and articulated the aims and objectives of the association, the name, the constitution and the election of office bearers.

The great midfield general, Tito Paketh was elected Chairman. In his heydays, Paketh scored tremendously thunderous goals from long distances and his dribbling artistry was a joy to the eye. The same can be said of his passing and passion for the game.

The post of Vice Chairman was handed to the legendary Rahman Gumbo, Bosso's greatest coach ever. Rush served Tshilamoya and the nation with distinction, scoring memorable goals.

To rewind a little, when South Africa was re-admitted to international football after the release of President Nelson Mandela from prison, Bafana came went to Zimbabwe amid aplomb of their 'shoe-shine piano' football. Rahman tore that apart with one of the greatest national goals of all time. There are so many to count including that Goh Mahia thunderbolt at BF.

Netsai Moyo was elected the Secretary General of FOHIPA. 'Super' was the stylish and yet sure-footed player with great technical ability and a rare tactical awareness that endeared  him as the darling of the Soweto stands. His dribbling ability was a joy to watch, given he was a wing defender.

The Treasurer is one rare legend who probably is the first player ever to have played for Dynamos and then Highlanders, Collsen Mabeza. Mabeza curved way for players like Abraham Madondo to do the same. Makwinji Soma-Phiri, Lovemore Ncube and Lenny Gwata were the other players going to Dynamos in the later days.  Veteran and legendary Marko Tundu Dube was elected the Committee Member.

According to the drafted constitution, the office bearers will lead the Association for the next two years. While it may be a short time for organisational purposes for the first committee, it still remains to be seen if there may be an exception until the operations are at full throttle and whether the election of members will be staggered to avoid changing office bearers en masse.

In showing how much determined they are and how thought and planning is going into the project, Super said the Association's bank account is still to be finalised, hoping to have it opened by end of business on Friday. He attributed the factor being some issues that needed to be clarified with and by the mother body, Highlanders Football Club.

Anyone who wants to join can email the Bosso Legends on bossolegends@gmail.com or call  Super on +263772319581 or Tito at +2630772312304.