Outgoing Highlanders technical manager Madinda Ndlovu had an emotional ‘goodbye’ message as he bade farewell to the players and members of the technical team on Saturday.
This was after Ndlovu watched the team play some scintillating football against Southern Region Division One league outfit Indlovu Iyanyathela in a practice match played at White City.
The teams played two matches, and Highlanders won both, winning the first one 1-0 courtesy of a Prince Dube strike, before Ariel Sibanda and Tinashe Makanda’s goals assured Bosso of a 2-0 victory in the second match.
Ndlovu explained to the players that the economy was no longer allowing him to continue here in Zimbabwe, also instilling confidence in the team.
“I did not abandon you. Our economy is no longer allowing me to continue here. I would have loved to remain here (at Highlanders) until I get fired. Its a very painful thing to tell you that I will no longer be your coach as of the first of July, but my belief is that you guys, we have gone through a lot. I want to thank you all. I want to wish you all the best. I know it has started, I know that you guys can finish top there, if not that you guys can gun for it. It’s not impossible. You can still fight and win it.If you believe you will win it. If you want it, you will get it. Guys, this is my way of going goodbye to you,” said Ndlovu.
After that, he gave a hug to each and every player as a way of lifting their spirits, and assured them that he is still with them in spirit.
Club Executive Chairman Rtd Colonel Kenneth Mhlophe thanked Ndlovu for the work he did, and told players that he saw his departure as that of a son going abroad to look for greener pastures.
“Thank you very much for the amount of work you have done, and the foundation that you are leaving behind. When he told me about it, it was not something easy to accept, but I had to think about it this way; I am the head of the family, and if a son has decided to go and look for greener pastures you allow him, it is not only helpful to the son, but to the entire family. I wish you all the best in your new challenge, said Mhlophe.
Ndlovu further addressed members of the media at the club office, were he also rubbished allegations that he was leaving the club because he had ‘a bad working relationship with the club’s administration’.
“If those speculations are true, the question then would be, why am I still here up to this time? Those same administrators are the same people who hired me, and they are the people who stood by me even when we were not getting results! How then do I come and say I did not work well with them?” he said.
He further explained in the same press conference that his decision was informed by the volatile economic situation which is beyond Highlanders as a club.
“Highlanders have managed to keep their part of the bargain and they are paying me the amount we agreed on but unfortunately the past year has seen changes in the country’s economic fundamentals that have resulted in high inflation that eroded the amount I am being paid.
“I am a family man with obligations to meet hence when a better offer came up I could not resist it. With a club like ours that is reliant on sponsors you understand that we cannot be going back to them every other month, every two weeks, asking for an increase to match inflation, it’s impossible,” added the outgoing Ndlovu.
He leaves behind a young and entertaining squad who despite not having a good start to the 2019 Castle Larger Premier Soccer League campaign, have impressed spectators who are seeing a glimmer of hope.
Meanwhile, the team continues with its training programme ahead of a match day 13 away fixture to Ngezi Platinum Stars.
Bosso will be hoping to continue from where they left before the Africa Cup of Nations break. The Bulawayo giants went to the break on style, with a 1-0 victory over perennial rivals Dynamos.
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