Zim giants lampoon TAFIC

The Chief Executive Officer of Zimbabwean premier league giants Highlanders, this week ridiculed local rivals TAFIC fornot taking their brand seriously. Speaking during a press event for the weekend game between the two teams, Nhlanhla Dube poked fun at TAFIC management for failing to don their team replicas at a press conference in Francistown.

The two teams used the occasion to announce a Mascom sponsorship deal for the weekend game between the two giants at Francistown Sports complex. The Saturday game will be part of the 120 years celebration for the northern city. Doning the Highlanders black and white team jersey, the humorous Dube said that the reason Highlanders is operating without any sponsors is for the simple reasons that they take their brand seriously when the time to do that beckons.

All the three Highlanders representatives were wearing their team replicas while only Tafic Chairman had his team jersey. This gave Dube even more ammunition to homorously lecture Matjimenyenga on branding and professionalism. Dube informed those who cared to listen that he is not wearing his team’s replica shirt not that he doesn’t have suits or any other fancy clothes.

“When it comes to branding, my team takes it seriously no wonder I am donning my black and white jersey. I also have the penchant for fancy suits but I cannot just wear my clothes as I stand before you representing my team. At Highlanders we don’t expect donations from companies but instead we are very aware that whatever cash that we get from various companies is meant for the team to expose such a company to our multitudes of fans.

For his part, Highlanders chairman Modern Ngwenya informed those at the press conference that it should be noted that his team has a history of working with local teams.Ngwenya mentioned some of the Highlanders former players who have contributed to the current improved state of football in Botswana including Rahman Gumbo who has coached a number of local clubs including Township Rollers and Mochudi Centre Chiefs to mention but only a few. Moreover, he applauded Madinda Ndlovu currently with Orapa United as one of his former team players who continue to make them proud in the country.

“I should warn Tafic that we are going to humiliate them during our encounter on Saturday so that they can learn a lesson. They should in future desist from inviting a very important person than them when they have a party as the important figure will always grab bragging rights under their nose, ”Ngwenya said jokingly.