BULAWAYO- Highlanders have appointed South African Thabo Senong as head coach, snubbing a proposal by the club’s main sponsor Wicknell Chivayo for the recruitment of former Manchester City striker Benjani Mwaruwari. Senong, a former coach of the South Africa Under 20 team and the Lesotho national team, will be assisted by Mkhokheli Dube. A club statement released on Sunday said Senong’s “strong background in youth development, tactical organisation and team building makes him a valuable addition to the Bosso technical team.” Senong won the COSAFA Under 20 tournament with South Africa in 2013.
He took charge of the Lesotho national team between 2019 and 2021, leaving them to be assistant coach of Sekhukhune United in the ABSA Premier League. Prior to his appointment as Highlanders boss, he was assistant coach of Fountain Gate FC in Tanzania’s premier division. Senong replaces Pieter de Jongh whose contract was not renewed at the end of the last season.
Highlanders sponsor Chivayo had advised Highlanders to hire Mwaruwari, promising to pay all elements of his contract. Some within the club felt Chivayo was exercising undue influence, but club chiefs said a verbal agreement had already been reached with Senong. Highlanders toyed with relegation for much of last season and Senong will be under pressure to move them up the ladder in his first season in charge.
