Lovemore Dube
HIGHLANDERS has a poor tracking system for players at its junior development.
With no clear-cut monitoring mechanism, Malvin Mkolo had his dream of joining Highlanders shattered.
Highlanders loaned him out and forgot all about him until he was able to join Bulawayo Chiefs as a free agent.
He had left Victoria Falls as a budding star, whose dream was to play for the most supported football club in the land by turnstile activity measure.
Mkolo dreamt of being the next “big star” and his beloved Highlanders appeared his destination and a ladder beyond the local football skies.
But upon landing in Bulawayo eight years ago as a 17-year-old imposing physique utility player, he saw himself being shipped out to the club’s development side Bosso90 who play in the Zifa Southern Region League.
Thulani Sibanda, Bulawayo Chiefs’ coach who is fond of plucking gems from Division One and Two leagues, was impressed with the talent, age and promise for the future in the youngster.
“I happened to have watched him in action and I was impressed while he was with Bosso90 and we got him on a season’s loan.
“At the end of the season, his contract with Highlanders expired and we engaged him on a permanent transfer as Bulawayo Chiefs,” said Sibanda of the player who is now with Simba Bhora.
He has been among the league’s most consistent players over the last seven years.
The move perhaps to Simba Bhora and near the capital may help boost his profile.
Mkolo has proven to be a trusted defence player as he is good in the air and ground and reads the game well.
His interventions are often seemingly well-calculated and had risen to be a key asset for Bulawayo Chiefs with regular appearances and a permanent starting place in the side.
Mkolo was captain at Bulawayo Chiefs.
Highlanders were once among the best in churning out young players.
Over the years the club has lost many players to other projects because of a poor tracking system where many of their talents wake up in other clubs’ books, having escaped the club’s first team books.
Amahlolanyama have been found wanting in player profiling and subsequent deployment to the Premiership.
The Moyo twins, Elvis and Kelvin, Kudakwashe Mahachi, Teenage Hadebe and Marvellous Nakamba are some of the players Highlanders let go despite showing so much talent and recommendations that they be retained.