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WHEN a giant has a false start to a race, it’s normal for the followers to be worried especially if such a start has not happened in a long time. When a giant loses its first match of the season for the first time in 18 years that record can not go unchecked. When a giant loses a match at what used to be its slaughter house, not just against any side but against a team that has gone for four matches without a win, it’s understood when supporters become angry.

It is a fact that such a situation is not only unusual but very embarrassing. This is the story of Highlanders Football Club, the pride and joy of millions of fans worldwide. Bosso kicked off their 2015 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League campaign with an away loss to ZPC Kariba, the first in 18 years. Last week, they fell 0-1 to a then winless Chapungu at Barbourfields, resulting in fans staging a peaceful demonstration against coach Bongani Mafu.

The demonstrators ended up at the clubhouse where they were again very peaceful, despite of course the expected noise from the vuvuzelas. Out of five matches, Amahlolanyama have only managed to get seven points out of a possible 15, less than 50 percent success rate. To patient fans (who are rarely found) that is not a bad record considering that there are 25 more matches to be played but to football fans who pay to watch their team win, and worse a big team like Highlanders, that record is not good enough. But football being football, anything can happen and it might be too early to make conclusions.

Highlanders are not the first side to find themselves in a miserable situation barely five games into the season. According to local football records, a certain team lost their first four matches of the season before picking three points in game number five. That team went on to win the next 14 games and, come game number 30, their captain walked to the podium and lifted the league title.

Monomotapa, under coach Norman Mapeza, started their 2008 season on a far worse footing than that of the Bulawayo giants and after five matches, found themselves with just three points, compared to Bosso’s seven but still were able to lift the league title two points clear of then defending champions Dynamos who themselves were a massive 10 points ahead of third placed Njube Sundowns.

Monoz who also had Mthulisi Maphosa now with Bosso, opened the season with a 0-1 loss to Shooting Stars, followed by an away 1-2 defeat by Njube Sundowns and Motor Action were next to inflict further misery with a 1-0 victory. Chapungu were the biggest winners against Monoz, mauling them 3-0 and by then the supporters were clearly agitated and rightfully called for the sacking of Mapeza.

However, the Monoz executive shut their ears and rallied behind their underfire coach. Mapeza was to win his first match with a 3-2 victory over Lengthens and that marked their comeback.

Highlanders supporters need to appreciate that things can change for the better anytime. Coach Mafu must also certainly not lose heart, he can infact give a call to Mapeza and just try and find out how he turned around his ship and never looked back. History after all is known to repeat itself and where there is a will, there is always a way. As Highlanders prepare to make a return to Vhengere Stadium in Rusape in their next league match against Dongo Sawmills, fans must believe that it can be done, for Bosso is too big a club to suffer continuous humiliation.

Some are probably wondering on the use of the word return. Highlanders’ last visit to Vhengere Stadium was on April 27, 1986. A visit that turned into a nightmare after Cone Textiles humiliated them 3-0 in a league encounter. Goalkeepers’ coach Peter Nkomo was in goal then but many would argue that Highlanders were not fairly treated as they were made to play the match barely 24HRS after knocking Zimbabwe Saints out of the Chibuku Cup.

Highlanders supporters’ anger is understandable but they must not despair, for it is also a fact that in 2012 and 2013, it was all smiles from the word go but like some lyrics in Bob Nyabinde’s famous song, Chabuda hapana! All that is needed is for Highlanders fans to believe in their players and coach, who by the way is still green behind the ears in terms of Premiership coaching experience.