HIGHLANDERS Rugby Football Club recently got a timely boost when former players based overseas donated playing uniforms which should play a big part in encouraging the current team in the Intercity League.

Highlanders chairman, Themba Phiri said the donation was in the form of 23 jerseys, same number of shorts and 26 pairs of socks. He expressed his gratefulness to the former players for coming to the club’s rescue because they did not even have a playing kit. Before the donation, Highlanders were using a red and white stripe that was also donated by a former player based outside the country which had been meant for training.

Highlanders on the right with kit they were using before they got the donation

Nkathazo Ndlovu, a former Highlanders and Zimbabwe Sables hooker presented the kit to captain Trust Sibindi, his deputy Zenzele Ncube, Phiri, another ex-player Thulani Tabulawa and team manager Michael Khumalo.

From left: Nkathazo Ndlovu, Trust Sibindi and Thulani Tabulawa

“Former players came together, contributed money and bought kit, playing jerseys, shorts and socks. This is a way of motivating the current players and reviving the club. I spoke to my former teammates based outside the country to assist us because our players had no playing kit, the situation was really bad. Now the boys will be motivated from this Saturday going forward,’’ said Phiri.

Highlanders, led by scrumhalf Sibindi have so far played five matches in the ICL, won one and lost four. On Saturday, they take on Old Hararians at Hartsfield.

Formed in 1981 as Bulawayo Rhinos prior to the name changed to Western Suburbs in 1986 when the club was under the mentorship of the late Francis Muhomba. The club assumed the name Highlanders in 1988, the year they were promoted to the Intercity League under the guidance of Victor Olonga and Zvivanai Dzinomurumbi. The name changed to Western Panthers in 2002 with Olonga, who was now based in the United Kingdom as the sponsor. On 22 December 2016, the club reverted back to using Highlanders with a match between former and current players at Hartsfield.

Some of the well-known players who have turned out for Highlanders are Olonga, Silethokuhle Ndlovu, Orga Mathaba, Gilbert Nyamutsamba, Dzinomurumbi and the late Arnold Takawira. Zimbabwe Rugby Union president, Nyararai Sibanda and Matabeleland Rugby Football Board chairman Tabulawa also played for Highlanders. Tabulawa captained Highlanders for a number of years. 

Of late, the club has become a breeding ground for other teams in Bulawayo. Sables prop, Irvine Nduwa and flyhalf Tarisai Mugariri who recently made his national team debut against Zambia were groomed by the George Mukorera coached Highlanders but they now turn out for Matabeleland Warriors.

@Mdawini_29