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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS have always been on the back pages of the country’s newspapers and dominating airwaves of radio stations whether they are doing well or performing badly.

With the advent of social media Bosso have also found themselves topping chats among its members and supporters.

While good coverage is always welcome, the relentless negative publicity Bosso have been attracting has been quite damaging to the club’s brand.

Whether the bad coverage focused on the coach, player or club official, its repercussions are immense and tend to hit where it hurts most; the club’s finances as no potential sponsors want to be associated with any kind of chaos.

The latest barrage of criticism directed at the club chairman Johnfat Sibanda since his ascendancy in March has been unprecedented.

The critics accuse Sibanda of lying to be voted into office and have chosen not to come to the rescue of the club.

Could that be a reason to leave this great institution dying? Who will remain with egg on their faces if Bosso collapse?
Of course, history will record that Sibanda was the chairman when Highlanders imploded, but it will also record that members and supporters in this generation did nothing.

Sibanda never made outrageous claims about sponsorship that people are peddling on social media, but clearly said that he was taking Bosso back to the people, who will become the club’s sponsors.

Last week the Highlanders executive launched a public fundraising campaign under the hashtag #Bosso, OurprideOurheritage, with the sole aim of raising at least US$14 000 per month.

While those that appreciate the gravity in which the club finds itself in responded positively, the campaign was also met with disdain by some sections of members and supporters, who have embarked on a smear campaign.

However, some former critics seem to have embraced the fundraising campaigning to help keep highlanders alive.

The #Bosso, OurprideOurheritage fundraising campaign must see the club emerging from this much stronger.

Soon the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season will roll into life and we all know that this entails more expenses.

This won’t be like Chibuku Super Cup matches that were being staged at Barbourfields Stadium, which meant little expenses for Highlanders.

With no indications that fans will be allowed back into the stadia, it means the club will once more rely on its all-weather friends, members and supporters.

The executive committee also needs to start thinking outside the box by coming up with long-term plans on how Highlanders will fulfil their matches and meet all other expenses associated with matchday such as bonuses.

A total of US$2 300 was raised in six days and this gave treasurer Donald Ndebele hope and belief that they are on the right track.

“We are excited and grateful to those who have so far responded to our call for help. They have Bosso at heart. Even though we are still a bit far from our target, signs are showing that we will reach the promised land and hence we continue calling on the real Bosso sons and daughters and even well-wishers to come forward,” said Ndebele.