BUSINESSMAN Wicknell Chivayo has gifted Highlanders Football Club a brand new luxury team bus and injected US$300 000 as part of his support for the Bulawayo giants following the appointment of former Warriors captain Benjani Mwaruwari as head coach.
In a statement on his social media pages on Sunday celebrating Mwaruwari’s engagement ahead of the 2026 Premier Soccer League season, Chivayo said he was delighted by Bosso’s decision to entrust the team to one of Zimbabwe’s most decorated footballers.
“Yesterday I was most delighted to learn that Highlanders FC had finally engaged the renowned superstar and one of Zimbabwe’s most decorated footballers of all time, Benjani Mwaruwari, as their head coach,” said Chivayo.
“The expertise and pedigree of Mkoma Benji speaks for itself and, more importantly, his exposure to football at regional level in South Africa, coupled with the rare privilege of being one of the few Zimbabwean footballers to play in Europe, make him the best coach option for iBosso.”
As a “small token” to the club and in fulfilment of a promise to his late uncle, former Vice-President John Landa Nkomo — a lifelong Bosso supporter — Chivayo said he was extending immediate financial support to the club.
“I am pleased to extend to the club, through its curator Mr Jabulani Nkomo, US$300 000 immediately,” he said.
Chivayo said the money would go towards the new coach’s sign-on and annual salary, clearing any outstanding player arrears and funding the recruitment of new players ahead of the new season.
“In addition, may the new head coach identify a car of his choice with the agreed value in his contract and I will gladly buy it this coming week,” he said.
In a major boost to the club’s logistics, Chivayo also revealed that he had purchased a brand new 75-seater Higer executive bus valued at about US$285 000 for Highlanders.
“I have purchased and made arrangements for the immediate delivery of a brand new 75-seater Higer executive bus, fitted with luxurious amenities including a toilet, full leather interior, TV, Wi-Fi, reclining seats and executive onboard facilities,” he said.
The bus, he added, would be used mainly for away trips and was meant to boost morale within the squad and technical team.
“It is my sincere hope that, with this small token, the morale of management, the technical team and, most importantly, the players will be significantly boosted,” said Chivayo.
He expressed hope that the support would ignite a renewed hunger within the team to challenge for the 2026 Premier Soccer League title.
Chivayo was, however, quick to dismiss suggestions that his support signalled an intention to take over the club.
“For the avoidance of doubt, and contrary to some sentiments expressed in certain quarters, I wish to state unequivocally that I have no intention whatsoever to control or take over Highlanders Football Club,” he said.
“My role remains purely that of a supporter, driven by love for Bosso and belief in Zimbabwe’s future.”
Highlanders recently unveiled Mwaruwari as head coach, with former Bosso midfielder Mkhokheli Dube appointed as his assistant, in a move that has reignited optimism among the club’s supporters ahead of the new season.
