Highlanders FC’s messy divorce with Thabo Senon has taken a dramatic turn, with former Jomo Cosmos and Manchester City striker Benjani Mwaruwari now throwing punches from the inside.
In January, the Bulawayo giants blasted their way into the headlines after a shocking U-turn on Senong, who had signed a two-year contract in December.
Senong was let go less than a month after being engaged and was forced out of Zimbabwe on purported permit issues with Zimbabwe’s immigration department. However, it later emerged that they were simply ushering him out of their plans, paving the way for Mwaruwari, who is now at the helm—his appointment was influenced by club sponsor Wicknell Chivhayo, who promised a windfall if they hired him.
As promised, the club received R 8.4 million [USD 500,000] from Chivhayo, on top of a brand new bus and four top-of-the-range vehicles for the club officials. But, as the old adage goes, all that glitters is not gold, as infighting and sabotage have ruled the roost since then.
In truth, Senong might have dodged a bullet as Highlanders are now on loggerheads with Mwaruwari, who has publicly revealed the dislike and struggles at the club.
Mwaruwari laid bare the bitter reality of his tumultuous stay at Bosso, as Highlanders are fondly known, revealing that no one wants him in the job after he replaced Senong.
MWARUWARI: EVERYONE DIDN’T WANT ME HERE
Just four games into his tenure, Mwaruwari is unhappy with the club leadership, whom he accused of disliking him and sabotaging him. He added that the club has delayed processing permits for foreign players they signed.
Mwaruwari made the explosive revelations during a press conference as they build up to take on FC Platinum on Friday. He is yet to register a win in the 2026 season, with four draws in four matches.
“To say it in public because people have been asking me because they [club] aren’t doing enough, I think, for this to happen. These boys have been here waiting for the permits for the past month,” he said.
“Now, as someone in the club, I think they don’t want this to happen. I’m sorry to say this, but I have to be open about some of the things that are happening. I’ve been working in difficult conditions. Everyone didn’t want me here. That’s a fact.”
MWARUWARI SAYS HIS REQUESTS ARE BEING IGNORED BY THE HIGHLANDERS EXECUTIVE
The Zimbabwean legend said the club has ignored his need for a team analyst. He said: “It’s tough because we spend most of our time on the pitch, and if we highlight one or two things, there is no response.
“As we speak, I still have to finalise some issues. I’m working without an analyst; I don’t even know. I need to find out, I need to see this and that, I need to do extra work to assess the teams we are playing against, the teams we’ve played before. So I need to know how many corners, how many tackles, I mean, that’s not my department, but I’m working so hard.
“I’ve been here for almost two and a half months, and I’ve indicated that department [analysis] is crucial for me, yet nothing has happened. So that’s a big issue for me. I’m working with less staff from day one.”
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