Highlanders F.C.

In the 19th century, colonial authorities sought to appease the Ndebele King Lobengula by proposing that his grandsons be sent to study in the Cape Province of South Africa. In 1926, the two brothers returned from South Africa. Albert had completed his studies in agriculture at Tsolo Agricultural School, while Rhodes had studied bookkeeping at Lovedale Institute. Both brothers had taken up football as an extracurricular activity. Rhodes continued his involvement in the sport and went on to form a team called the Lions Football Club, primarily composed of boys born in Makokoba, Bulawayo's oldest township. In 1936, the players renamed the team to Matebeleland Highlanders Football Club. In 1966, the Rhodesia National Football League (RNFL) invited Highlanders to join the league. They agreed, and they were placed in the 2nd Division two years later. Highlanders finished at the top of the table in their first season and were promoted to Division One. In 1970, Highlanders entered the Super League. However, after securing only 7 points, the team was relegated to the first division. They returned to the top flight in 1971. In 1972, Tony McIlveen, a player from Northern Ireland who had previously played semi-professionally for Irish League side Crusaders, joined the Highlanders. Though not tall, McIlveen's work rate and dynamism in midfield proved valuable to the team. In 1973, Highlanders won the Chibuku Trophy, defeating the high-profile Mangula side at Rufaro Stadium. In 1976, the…