By Naledi Nyoni
BULAWAYO — The industrial action by Highlanders FC players has stretched into Thursday, marking a third consecutive day of strike action and further deepening uncertainty over Sunday’s highly anticipated Castle Lager Premier Soccer League showdown against Dynamos FC at Barbourfields Stadium.
What began as a training boycott on Tuesday has now escalated into a full-blown standoff between players and club leadership, with the squad reportedly still demanding the payment of two months’ outstanding salaries, as well as winning bonuses for four matches, including incentives dating back to the victory over Hardrock.
With no resolution in sight by Thursday, preparations for the traditional “Battle of Zimbabwe” fixture remain in limbo, raising fears that the high-profile encounter could be severely disrupted or even compromised.
Sources close to the situation say tensions have remained high throughout the week, with senior players maintaining their position that they will not resume full training until their grievances are addressed.
Insiders within the club have since begun pointing fingers at the Highlanders leadership, accusing management of financial mismanagement despite the club reportedly benefiting from significant sponsorship inflows and other revenue streams.
According to the insiders, the situation has been worsened by what they describe as poor oversight of the club’s commercial assets, including a mining claim whose returns are allegedly not being properly accounted for or transparently managed.
“They are receiving millions through sponsorships and other deals, but players are still going for months without salaries.
“There are serious questions about how the money is being handled,” one insider claimed.
The developments have left supporters increasingly anxious ahead of Sunday’s fixture against Dynamos FC, a match traditionally regarded as the biggest on the domestic football calendar.
The encounter, part of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, is expected to draw a full house at Barbourfields Stadium if it goes ahead as scheduled.
While the club has yet to issue a comprehensive public statement addressing the ongoing strike, pressure is mounting on the executive to break the deadlock before the fixture is thrown into further doubt.
As things stand, uncertainty continues to cloud Bosso’s camp, with just days remaining before kickoff.
