OnSport Reporter
Bulawayo Deputy Mayor, Councillor Edwin Ndlovu has challenged Highlanders supporters to rally behind the club and raise resources for the club’s sustenance.
One of the country’s top sporting institutions, Highlanders’ financial struggles have shone over the years with the team fighting relegation to the last day in the just-ended season.
The ladies football side Highlanders Royals were demoted from the women’s top league while Bosso 90, participating in the Zifa Southern Region Soccer League, also narrowly survived the chop.
Ndlovu said it is unfortunate Highlanders fans are reactionary instead of being proactive in supporting the club adding it was time this trajectory changed.
He said instead of idly sitting by, complaining and reacting to events by other stakeholders Bosso supporters should take the lead and put their money where their mouths is.
“It seems we like complaining when things have happened instead of steering them the way we want. There are many Bosso fans in influential positions and I believe its high time they use that influence to support Highlanders in whatever way they are able to,” said Clr Ndlovu.
The Deputy Mayor said it is time Highlanders fans dug deep into their pockets and funded the club because if you have passion for something you should be willing to finance it to ensure its continued existence and success.
“Recent events clearly show the need for the club’s fans, in their entirety, that they should start putting more financial resources towards Highlanders.
“If you love something then you should not feel any pain in getting into your pocket and financing it,” he said.
Cllr Ndlovu lamented lack of oomph among fans who fill Barbourfields on a weekly basis saying while they attend the games in numbers, once in the stadium they become meek, instead of being intimidatory to the opposition.
He said fans should be the engine that drives the players when the chips are down and make the environment very uncomfortable for opponents instead of players being the ones who make fans roar.
“I don’t know what has happened to our fans, but get into Barbourfields when Highlanders is playing and the team is struggling, fans will also be at a time they should be psyching up the boys with song.
“It is only when the players score that the fans rise up and start singing. It should be the other way round. As the club turns 100 years old next year, lets revive that intimidating atmosphere and ensure that teams come scared to BF, making it easy for the boys to beat them,” said Cllr. Ndlovu,
Speaking at the Corporate Launch of the club’s 100 years commemorations, which officially kick-off on 22 December, the vice chairperson of the Main Centenary Celebrations Committee, Nicholas Nyathi challenged the Bulawayo City Council to reduce stadium hire rates for Highlanders next season as an honour to mark the momentous occasion.