Highlanders Football Club have suspended dependable striker Njabulo Ncube for two weeks and given last written warnings to midfielder Joel Ngozo and Charles Sibanda following claims that the trio caused havoc at the club’s camp before the disastrous encounter with Dynamos last weekend.
Bosso have also taken off the armband from captain Innocent Mapuranga and handed it over to goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda in what observers say is the harshest ever decision taken by the club in years after a string of losses against bitter rivals, Dembare.
According to state-controlled media reports, manager Willard Mashinkila Khumalo was not spared as he was dressed down at an executive meeting Wednesday and warned of dire consequences if he failed to reign in is his wayward players.
Highlanders boss, Ndumiso Gumede, told journalists the harsh decision to punish Ngozo, Sibanda and Ncube, who will not be allowed to train with the Highlanders squad for two weeks and have his salary docked, was taken to show that nobody is bigger than the club.
The respected soccer guru said the players’ behavior at the last camp angered guests at a Harare hotel, who informed the club about the bad behavior of the boys, who are believed to have been drunk and disorderly.
Bosso lost 4-1 to Dynamos in the TM Pick n Pay Challenge Cup, raising the ire of supporters who bayed for head coach Kelvin Kaindu’s head. The Bulawayo giants have not beaten Dynamos in the past eight years and the recent loss raised eyebrows, forcing the club executive to carryout investigations on the encounter.
Bosso face How Mine this weekend without Ncube, who rejoined the club from FC Platinum in the mid-season transfer window.
Khumalo and the three players were not available for comment.