Thabo Senong has expressed disappointment over his treatment by Highlanders Football Club after a series of events that led to his exit from Zimbabwe, despite initially being appointed as the club’s head coach.

Senong said he was ordered by immigration officials to leave Zimbabwe on short notice while his work permit was still being processed, a move that later coincided with Highlanders appointing former Warriors captain Benjani Mwaruwari as head coach. He said the developments left him feeling misled by the club.

“I spent the whole of December knowing I was the Highlanders coach,” Senong said in an interview with Metro FM. “So, yeah, I’m disappointed because Highlanders lied to me. They should have been honest enough regarding the whole situation.”

The former South Africa Under-20 and Lesotho senior national team coach was appointed by Highlanders with the hope that he would help turn around the club’s fortunes following recent struggles. In announcing his appointment, the Bulawayo-based club cited his experience in youth development, tactical organisation, and team building as key strengths.

Senong is best known for leading South Africa’s Amajita to the 2013 COSAFA Under-20 Cup title. He was joined in the Highlanders technical team by Mkhokheli Dube, with both expressing optimism about the new challenge in Zimbabwe.

However, the situation changed early in January. On Friday, January 9, Senong returned to South Africa, with Highlanders later stating that his departure was linked to the processing of his work permit. The club said it had submitted the necessary documents on Wednesday, January 7, after receiving a cover letter from the Sport and Recreation Commission.

“The club managed to submit the work permit application documents for coach Thabo Senong on Wednesday, 7 January, after receiving the Sport and Recreation Commission cover letter,” Highlanders said in a statement, dismissing reports that Senong had been deported. The Immigration Department later acknowledged receipt of the application and issued a tracking number.

Senong, however, said the manner in which he was asked to leave was confusing and upsetting. He claimed immigration officials initially granted him 30 days in the country to allow time for his permit to be processed.

“I was ordered to leave the country on short notice, with only two hours to comply, and they said they would notify me when to come back once my work permit was sorted,” he said. “What surprised me is that I was given 30 days by the same immigration officials when I arrived in their country.”

He added that matters escalated quickly when he went to meet the players. “Within minutes, I was told to leave as immigration was coming for me, despite having 30 days to stay in the country for my permit to be processed,” Senong said.

A week after his departure, Highlanders made a surprise decision to appoint Zimbabwe football legend Benjani Mwaruwari as head coach. Mwaruwari, who is based in England, returned home for the role. He last coached Ngezi Platinum in 2023 but was dismissed midway through the season due to poor results.

Senong said Highlanders later suggested that he work as Mwaruwari’s assistant, an idea he rejected. “Highlanders then wanted me to work as Benjani’s assistant, but I could not do that because the coach has his own philosophy, so I felt he needed his own room,” he said.

The coach confirmed that discussions are now underway to end his contract with the club. “Currently, we are negotiating for a contract termination, so my lawyers are in touch with the club,” Senong said, bringing an uncertain chapter in his brief Highlanders tenure closer to an end.

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