Bosso did not win anything in the 2012 season, but rising from their seventh-place finish in the previous one to losing out only on goal difference to champions Dynamos underlined their resurgence.
The sea of black and white that had dried out from the stands of Barbourfields stadium before a powerful downpour called Kelvin Kaindu, not only trickled back, but also flowed everywhere the Bulawayo giants played away from home.
On the pitch, the former four-time league champions were uncompromising most of the time, in a show inspired by their Zambian-born mentor, underpinned by a water-tight defence and made to flourish by a gritty midfield.
Their last season was exceptional, but do Highlanders possess enough quality and depth to replicate their form next season and beyond? Will they avoid losing their top performers to local rivals as has been the case in preceding seasons?
It is plain that the malaise largely responsible for triggering the club’s stunning decline since their last league title triumph in 2006 continues to haunt the club. Financial difficulties remain engrained.
When Kaindu arrived, Bosso, had in the preceding two seasons, lost the Ngodzo brothers – Joel and Zephania – as well as Rahman Kutsanzira, Protasho Kabwe, Gilbert Banda and Brighton Dube to other local clubs.
Just as their title battle against Dynamos was heating up, they again caressed the self-destruct button, as players boycotted training over unpaid bonuses.
Team manager, Amini Soma-Phiri, admitted that lack of financial resources would remain a major handicap, as they sought to consolidate their resurgence. “Yes, some of the clubs have better resources and that is a problem for us. That is why we have losing our top players in the past few seasons,” he said.
“But we have managed to build a good team this season and we have identified quite a number of good players to strengthen the team. There are many good players from Division One and we are confident that next season will even be better for us.”
Yet, whatever players they bring in, Highlanders need to go out of their way to ensure that their defence, the pillar on which their success has been built, remains intact.
The Bulawayo giants pulled an astonishing 19 clean sheets in their 30 league matches in the past season, conceding only 15 goals all season. This gave them a rate of half a goal conceded per game. With a more potent strike force, they would have easily scooped the league title.
No wonder goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda is now in the national team. Their central defence partnership of Innocent Mapuranga and Eric Mudzingwa was also outstanding.
The midfielders played a starring role as well, FC Platinum discards Mthulisi Maphosa and Bhekimpilo Ncube shining the torch throughout the season, while Peter Moyo, a product of their juniors, proving the surprise star in the first half of the season.
“Moyo sustained an injury during the season and at times we tried to play him when he was not fully fit. He therefore could not play to the standards he had set earlier on, but remains a very important player who contributed immensely to our campaign,” said Soma-Phiri.
But it is up-front that they need to beef up. This could be the reason why they piled up nine draws and eventually lost the league. Of their nine stalemates, four ended goalless, while the other five were 1-1 draws, a clear indication of the team’s limitations in hitting the target.
Masimba Mambare, who had a slow start to the season, ended the team’s top marksman, scoring 11 goals in crucial games in the second half of the season to keep their title hopes alive.
Mambare was a pre-season signing who came in search of regular first team football, after a frustrating spell at Motor Action. He linked up with Ncube and Maphosa, deemed excess to requirements by Rahman Gumbo at FC Platinum.
Platinum are unlikely to return for the pair and other talent poachers in premiership could also have little appetite for players who are effectively in the twilight of their careers, so Bosso could be safe there.
Should Highlanders manage to remain intact and – better still – add some creativity to the midfield and sharpen their strike-force, their fans should brace for more exciting times next year.
Post published in: Football