South African coach Thabo Senong is among the contenders to take charge of Zimbabwe’s Highlanders Football Club.
Reports from Zimbabwe state that Highlanders are adopting a new model with Benjani Mwaruwari overseeing long-term planning and Senong leading on the touchline.
Thabo Senong to become Highlanders FC coach?
According to the Chronicle, the final announcement will be made after Mwaruwari and Senong meet and agree on how they will jointly run the project.
As reported by the Chronicle, a source close to the talks said Senong will bring in his preferred assistant and an analyst.
A local coach will also join as the second assistant to ensure the team maintains a balance of international expertise and homegrown insight.
This shift comes after internal debate about who should lead the team.
The club benefactor Wicknell Chivayo had lobbied for Mwaruwari to take over as head coach and even committed to paying his wages.
However, the board rejected that route. It instead placed Mwaruwari in the technical director role, giving him full control over appointing the head coach.
Thabo Senong’s coaching pedigree
Senong brings a deep coaching résumé from across southern Africa.
He has led Singida Fountain Gate in Tanzania and coached Lesotho.
He has also worked with Orlando Pirates’ development structures and guided South Africa’s Under-20 national team.
Senong’s disciplined, youth-focused approach fits well with Mwaruwari’s influence, reputation, and understanding of Zimbabwean football.
Highlanders FC: A giant struggling to reclaim its former glory
Highlanders FC is one of Zimbabwe’s oldest and most successful football clubs. It is based in Bulawayo and known for a passionate fan base and a rich history that includes multiple Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League titles, especially in the 1990s and early 2000s.
In recent seasons, however, Highlanders have struggled to recapture former glory. In the 2025 PSL campaign they finished 11th.
