Bosso board chair clears name on coaches’ recruitment

HIGHLANDERS board of directors’ chairman Luke Mnkandla has sought to clear his name and that of his colleagues on alleged involvement in the club’s technical team recruitment processes.

A visibly-irked Mnkandla denied allegations that board members were interfering in the hiring of the technical team.

Mkandla said it was disheartening that the allegations have targeted individuals like him.

“A lot is being said, there are allegations that the Highlanders board has been interfering in the hiring of coaches. It has even gotten worse because the allegations are now targeting individuals like me. I have never done that and the board has never done that.

“We have given direction to the executive with regard the club’s financials, which has been difficult for the executive to get it right. There was never a time that I interfered with which coach was hired or not,” said Mnkandla.

“From the days of Mandla Mpofu to the likes of Henrik Pieter de Jong and Mark Harrison, we had no say. With Baltemar Brito and Antonio Torres, who left last year, I was only told that they were at the airport. I was asked if I was free to go and pick them up and I said no. I only met them at the office.

“With regards to Kelvin Kaindu, the executive team only told me that they were engaging him. The next communication I got was that they had settled for him. Somebody in New York asked me if it was true that I was interfering in the recruitment of coaches. It’s really bad as I have been subjected to a lot of name-calling. Zinhlamba zodwa,” said Mnkandla.

Incumbent Bosso secretary-general Morgen “Gazza” Dube hastened to help Mnkandla clear his name.

“Our board chairman is exonerated. He has never interfered in the club’s hiring of coaches,” said Dube.

Kaindu retraced to Bosso early this month and he leads a technical team that has Try Ncube and legendary Madinda Ndlovu as his assistants.

Daniel Khumalo retained his goalkeeper’s coach post. Abraham Mubiwa is still the team’s fitness trainer and, just like last season, the team doctor will be Shepherd Khumalo. Loyal Nyika and Vezigama Dlodlo were rehired as the club’s physiotherapist and welfare manager respectively.