Bosso Strike Again

Highlanders FC players have gone on strike again over unpaid salaries, disrupting preparations for their upcoming Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match against Triangle at Barbourfields Stadium.

Sources within the club said the playing squad, technical team and office staff have not received salaries for two months, leading to renewed unrest at a critical stage of the season. The situation has affected training schedules and raised concerns about the team’s readiness for the weekend fixture.

Several senior players reportedly did not attend a scheduled training session in protest over the unpaid wages. The development marks another episode of industrial action at the club this season, pointing to ongoing financial challenges.

According to insiders, the issue has become a recurring problem, with delays in salary payments continuing despite efforts to stabilise operations. The latest strike has further affected morale in the squad.

“The players have gone for two months without their salaries. This has affected morale and preparation,” a club source said. “It is also not the first time this season that they have resorted to downing tools over the same issue.”

The source added that in some cases, members of the technical team have had to use personal funds to cover immediate needs in order to keep team activities running.

Efforts to get an official comment from the club were unsuccessful. Executive chairman Kenneth Mhlophe referred questions to chief executive Denzil Mnkandla, who was not reachable at the time.

The salary delays are linked to broader financial arrangements within the club. While match bonuses are handled internally, player salaries are paid through a separate funding structure, which has reportedly experienced delays.

The situation has compounded Highlanders’ struggles on the field this season. The team has recorded just one win in its opening 10 league matches, alongside eight draws, highlighting inconsistency in performance.

Although the team has shown some improvement in attack, defensive weaknesses remain a concern. Highlanders have conceded goals from set pieces in their last three matches, contributing to dropped points.

For a club of Highlanders’ size and history, the combination of financial instability and mixed results is raising concern among supporters and stakeholders.

Attention now turns to whether the salary issue can be resolved quickly to allow players to return to training and refocus on the season.

The outcome of the situation is expected to influence both the club’s short-term performance and its broader stability going forward.