For nearly a century, Highlanders Football Club has been the beating heart of Bulawayo. Founded in 1926 by the grandsons of King Lobengula, the club—affectionately known as Bosso—survived colonial restrictions, social upheavals, and the shifting tides of Zimbabwean football . But in its 100th year, the club has been dealt a devastating blow that has left the football fraternity in mourning.
On the night of Thursday, July 23, 2026, a multi-vehicle collision near Lochard, about 50 kilometres outside Bulawayo along the Harare-Bulawayo highway, claimed the lives of three senior Highlanders executives.
The Ford Raptor they were travelling in struck a stray cow before sideswiping an oncoming bus and overturning, killing the three men and living a female passenger seriously injured. They were returning from Kariba after a 1-0 defeat to ZPC Kariba in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match .
For the casual observer, they were simply the Chairman, the Vice Chairman, and the Treasurer. But a closer look at the lives of Kenneth Mhlophe, Fiso Siziba, and Nkani Khoza reveals three extraordinary men whose impact extended far beyond the football pitch.
Kenneth Mhlophe: The Soldier and the Strategist
For many fans, Kenneth Mhlophe was the stoic, commanding presence at the helm of the club. But before he was the Chairman of Bosso, he was a soldier. A retired Colonel in the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), Mhlophe brought the discipline, strategic foresight, and resilience of a military veteran to his civilian pursuits .
Mhlophe’s military career was defined by a 28-year tenure, which included serving as the Chief Instructor of Logistics at the ZNA Staff College and acting as the Director of Logistics for Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He had been attested into the army in 1980 at the age of 24, spending his career across various ranks and peacekeeping missions in Zimbabwe and other parts of Africa.
When he decided to retire, Mhlophe did not rest on his laurels. Leveraging the skills he had honed in the barracks, he founded Nokel Security Pvt Ltd in 2001 . What started with just two guards became a major enterprise with over 150 personnel and branches spread across the southern region, including Gweru, Victoria Falls, Kwekwe, Zvishavane, Chegutu, and Beitbridge . His entrepreneurial success earned him the prestigious 2015 Megafest Entrepreneur of the Year award .
Mhlophe was serving his second stint as Highlanders Chairman, having previously led the club from 2018 to 2021 before returning to the helm in February 2024 . Known for his tireless work behind the scenes, he recently announced that his current three-year term would be his last.
“I think it is time for new blood. By the end of my term in December I will be stepping aside. I have run my race,” Mhlophe stated just weeks before the tragedy, acknowledging the heavy personal toll of leading Zimbabwe’s oldest football club .
Fiso Siziba: The Level Head on the Force
In the realm of Zimbabwean law enforcement, Fiso Siziba (also known as Sifiso Siziba) was a man who commanded respect through integrity and action. A Superintendent in the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Siziba was the former Officer-in-Charge of the Entumbane Police Station before being elevated to the rank of Superintendent .
His leadership style was described by colleagues and community leaders alike as firm yet profoundly empathetic. He was credited with transforming the historically apathetic relationship between the police and the community into a symbiotic partnership, working closely with the Business Against Crime Forum and local community leadership to maintain peace and order . At the time of his passing, Siziba had recently been appointed as the Deputy Officer Commanding the Nkulumane district, overseeing operations across six stations .
In football circles, he was affectionately known as “Bro Fiso,” serving as the Vice Chairman of Highlanders FC and the vice-secretary of the ZRP sports board . Elected in 2022 and re-elected unopposed, Siziba was a fixture at the club, often seen on the sidelines of Barbourfields. He was a man driven by a clear, unyielding vision for the club’s future.
“I have a dream, I have an unfinished business with Highlanders, I need to win something big while still serving as vice-chairman of the club,” Siziba once remarked, highlighting his deep passion for the institution he loved . His sudden departure has left a void in both the corridors of power in the police force and the executive boardroom of Bosso.
Nkani Khoza: The Accountant of the Grassroots
Nkani Khoza was the meticulous, numbers-driven guardian of Highlanders’ finances. As the Executive Member for Finance (Treasurer), Khoza was elected in January 2025 with a clear mandate to bring order, transparency, and structure to the club’s financial operations .
A holder of an Executive Master’s Degree in Business Administration and a registered member of the Public Accounts and Auditors Board, Khoza was a certified professional whose vision for the club was rooted in long-term sustainability . He recognized the club’s championship drought and sought to anchor his strategy on the club’s constitution and hierarchy.
“The club’s finances should be well accounted for so as to attract prospective sponsors. There is a need to close leakages and produce required reports in time,” he stated upon taking office .
Beyond the football pitch, Khoza was a successful entrepreneur. He was the proprietor and CEO of Totally Uniforms, a prominent Bulawayo-based company specialising in school uniforms and educational supplies . His business acumen was built on a foundation of hard work and community investment.
Khosa also had deep roots in football culture beyond Zimbabwean borders. According to fan lore and football historians, his connection to the beautiful game was foundational; he was reportedly a founding member associated with South African giants Kaizer Chiefs, having played for teams like Witbank Aces and Amazulu in his youth . He brought that lifelong, cross-border passion for football to his role as Bosso’s Treasurer.
A Centenary Cast in Shadow
The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) was quick to issue a profound statement of grief following the accident. ZIFA President Nqobile Magwizi described the incident as an “immeasurable loss” for the nation’s football family .
“Today, Zimbabwean football has lost three devoted servants whose passion and commitment helped shape one of our nation’s greatest football institutions,” Magwizi stated, noting the cruel irony of the tragedy occurring during a year meant for celebration .
Highlanders FC is more than just a football club; it is a repository of Ndebele history, cultural identity, and civic pride. The loss of its Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Treasurer in a single devastating accident is a blow from which the club’s leadership structure will take years to recover. Yet, as the Bosso faithful mourn, they do so remembering the legacy of a retired Colonel who built empires, a police superintendent who bridged community divides, and an astute accountant whose vision was larger than the balance sheet.
As Barbourfields prepares to welcome the fans back, the spirit of Kenneth, Fiso, and Nkani will undoubtedly linger in the stands, a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who dedicated their lives to keeping the heartbeat of Bulawayo alive.
