[FM16] From Bottom to Glory: An Unemployed Career in Africa

Congrats on the trophy mate. Just caught this story, very interesting i must say. Not sure ive seen an African journeyman save before, so will definitely be following this one from now on.

2016-06-27 23:56#234573 Grant_MUFC25 : Congrats on the win man. Injuries and fitness is a real problem in African tournaments right? It is happening to me too in my South Africa save.

Grant_MUFC25 , thanks man. Yes it is a huge problem, plus I could only pick 21 players, instead of 23 players like other international tournaments.

Which club are you playing for the by the way? I did apply for some South African teams, but they didn't even call for an interview. Looks like my Djubutian reputation is coming into play.

2016-06-28 12:17#234586 C.J.Lippo : Congrats on the trophy mate. Just caught this story, very interesting i must say. Not sure ive seen an African journeyman save before, so will definitely be following this one from now on.

C.J.Lippo , thanks for your kind words. Yes, I wanted to try something different out.

2016-06-28 06:46#234581 ninjaskill : Nice win should help for a club job. Do the u-23's play constantly or just in bunches?

ninjaskill , thanks. No, the U-23 teams don't play regularly. The manager is also recruited only when they are going to enter a tournament.

As there is no match for the under 23 team before the Olympics, I had to leave the post. Wish I will get a new U23 team to manage during the Olympics.



After applying for a few jobs, I accepted a post where I will have the chance to win a silverware, instead of battling for relegation.



Highlanders FC is a Zimbabwean football club based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, formed in 1926 that plays in the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League. It is one of the biggest, most successful soccer teams in Zimbabwe and arguably the most supported team. Everywhere it plays it attracts big crowds. It is also known colloquially as iBosso or Siyinqaba which means “We are a Fortress”.




In the latest Premier League, they achieved 4th position. With a little bit of luck and some good transfers, I hope I can achieve something big with this team.

The junior coaching & training facilities look decent for this level. Awkward thing is, the stadium is actually owned by an amateur team.



The squad looks decent, although old. However most of the players’ contract will come to an end in a few days time. I have to sort out who will be worth a new contract.



Oh, and surprisingly, we got a Spanish team as our senior affiliate club.


Nothing to be excited about though. We will not get any free loan player, and not even a single money!

Good luck in Zimbabwe, nice to see a project like this.

Thanks Golaso.

Take Africa by storm my man, keep it up!

2016-07-01 20:25#234760 BeanyUnited : Take Africa by storm my man, keep it up!

I will! thanks.

Despite being the 4th most reputed club in Zimbabwe, the Board wanted us as winner in this season. Big pressure. As the board had no expectations for the cups, I guess I will sacrifice them for a better performance in the league.




This is big! We can now scout any player residing in Africa. This will help us a lot to make proper recruitment, as Zimbabwe is not exactly blessed with talents.



Ah bummer! I guess this affected our club’s reputation too. We are now reputed as 1 star instead of 1.5 stars like before.

What do you know! Our odd of winning the league is the same as Dynamo Harare & Caps Utd. Funny thing is how defending champion How Mine is rated as having the least chance to win the league. They have higher reputation than ours, although almost all their players left the club before the beginning of the season. Game bug perhaps?




A 35000 capacity stadium, and 135 season ticket holders. *sigh*




I am quite pleased with our transfers. A lot was released out of the club, and we managed to fulfill their positions by better players. Goalkeeping and striker are 2 positions where better players could have served us better, but there were hardly any good options available.

PS: First three signings, all strikers, they were finalized by the club before I arrived.

Teenage Hadabe, a 20-year-old who already earned 3 caps, was sent to Chicken Inn (what’s with the name!), for getting regular playing time. Tinashe, a 17-year-old midfielder won’t get any playing time in my star midfield, so was loaned out immediately after being singed for us. I will play one striker upfront, so no point of having 4 strikers in the squad. Moses was sent to loan for this reason.




Nice results. The loss against Quelaton was unlucky, we totally dominated the match.

You have seen what happens to the clubs when they punch above their weight in a season, like Southampton, Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid.

Similar case happened with How Mine in Zimbabwe. They won the league last season, despite being a semi-pro club. The players got a reputation boost, and almost all decided to leave the club.




They are now currently lying in the 5th position of point table, was thrashed 5-1 by Dynamo Harare.

Pretty easy so far, apart from Caps UTD & Dynamo Harare, every club has a terrible squad.

However, in the next 7 days, I have to play two tough away matches against the two giants, and Chicken Inn, currently lying in the 4th position.

Quite disappointing to be honest. We played quite good despite being in a foreign territory, but defensive mistakes and a bad performance from our main striker Jacob Muzokomba sealed the deal.

Another mention should go to Zimbabwean striker Murape, who is too good for this league. He already has 9 goals in the league, just playing 5 matches.




Thank you!!

Olympic is approaching, and I couldn't help managing another under 23 team again.




Err...... You guys are the one who made me leave the job as there was no match.




Who do you think you are South Africa?!




On a different note, hot Dynamo Harare just slipped, against lowly FC Platinum, in their home. Good news for us.