Highlanders Players Return to Training After Salary Payment Promise

Highlanders FC players returned to training on Friday after club leaders pledged to settle outstanding salaries this coming week, bringing temporary relief to the club ahead of this afternoon’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter against Triangle United FC at Barbourfields Stadium.

The return to training ended several days of uncertainty at the Bulawayo giants after players reportedly stopped training over unpaid salaries. Sources close to the club indicated that the squad is owed close to two months’ salaries, a situation that had begun to disrupt preparations for upcoming league fixtures.

The salary dispute had threatened to derail momentum at Highlanders at a crucial stage of the season. Coach Benjani Mwaruwari has been working to keep the team competitive despite continued financial difficulties affecting operations behind the scenes.

Players are understood to have met with members of the club leadership on Friday, where assurances were reportedly made that salary payments would start this week. Following the meeting, the squad agreed to return to training while awaiting fulfilment of the promises.

One player said the squad decided to resume training after receiving assurances from the club leadership that the issue would be addressed within days.

“We decided to return because we were promised that the issue would be attended to next week. As players we want to focus on football, but at the same time these are issues that affect our livelihoods,” said the player.

Another player said the repeated salary delays were becoming difficult for players mentally, especially as the situation continues to reoccur during the season.

“It becomes difficult to fully concentrate when these situations keep happening. We love the club and we want to do well for the supporters, but stability is important for players to perform at their best,” said the player.

The latest developments bring short-term relief for Benjani, who has remained composed publicly despite recurring off-field problems threatening to overshadow football matters at the club. The former Zimbabwe international is still in the early stages of his tenure and has had to work under difficult circumstances.

Highlanders have experienced several salary-related disruptions this season, highlighting ongoing financial challenges at one of Zimbabwe’s biggest football institutions. The situation has intensified debate among supporters over the sustainability of the club’s current financial structure.

Questions are increasingly being raised about Highlanders’ reliance on limited revenue streams in the modern football environment. Although Bosso continue to attract some of the biggest crowds in Zimbabwean football, concerns persist over whether matchday revenue alone can sustain the operational demands of a club of its size.

The salary crisis has also brought renewed scrutiny on financial planning and transparency at the member-owned club. Supporters and stakeholders continue to debate possible long-term solutions that could stabilise operations and reduce recurring disruptions affecting the playing squad.

This afternoon’s league match against Triangle now carries added importance as Highlanders seek to shift attention back onto football after another difficult week off the pitch. The players, however, are expected to closely monitor whether club leaders honour the promises made during Friday’s meeting.

For now, training has resumed and preparations for the match have continued, but uncertainty remains until the outstanding salaries are paid. The coming week is likely to determine whether the temporary calm at Bosso develops into stability or another dispute emerges.