Michael Madyira
Zimbabwean football giants Highlanders FC have admitted to being in dire financial straits and have resorted to sending out a public plea for a new laptop for their chief executive officer.
Their plea was answered when a local bookshop donated a laptop.
The club, popularly known as Bosso, reached out to its members.
“The club wishes to buy a laptop for the office of the chief executive,” said club secretary Morgen Dube.
“Given our current financial predicament, we are, however, unable to raise enough funds to buy the machine.”
Established in 1926, Highlanders are Zimbabwe’s second-biggest club and command a huge loyal following behind Dynamos FC of Harare.
Some of their former players include Liverpool legend Bruce Grobbelaar and Peter Ndlovu who went on to play in the English Premier League for Coventry City.
Brazil-born Baltemar Brito, a former assistant coach to Jose Mourinho at FC Porto and Chelsea, is Bosso’s current head coach.
American actor, Andrew Shue, who played Billy Campbell on the television series Melrose Place also played for Highlanders.
But soon after sending the request for help, Highlanders had to deal with a backlash from fans who voiced concerns on social media about the unusual way the club sourced the laptop for their CEO Ronald Moyo.
“Some requests are so embarrassing for a team like Bosso,” one fan, Emma Moyoza, commented on social media.
Godfrey Tevera, another fan, joined in.
“This really beats me. So the club can’t even sell a player to buy a laptop? A club as big as Highlanders should be ashamed. This is embarrassing indeed. It’s like a charity club. The club has a huge base of followers around the country.”
While most found it bizarre to ask for office equipment, others thanked the well-wisher for stepping in to donate the laptop.
Club chairman Johnfat Sibanda defended the way they requested help, saying that the club are “seeking to comply with Fifa club licensing requirements”.
Image source: @TheChronicle
