BULAWAYO – Highlanders are in the hunt for a new CEO after the club decided not to renew Nhlanhla Dube’s contract which expired on Tuesday.

Dube took over from Ndumiso Gumede on a two-year contract.

Club sources said the club’s executive decided not to renew Dube’s contract, creating a vacancy.

Dube’s departure comes as the club’s supporters are expressing disquiet over a poor start to the season in which they are winless in five matches.

Coach Madinda Ndlovu blames the poor start, in which they have lost twice and drawn three matches, on lack of good preparation during pre-season after players went on strike for pay.

Dube is credited for his efforts to revive the club’s junior policy, a long-term project whose results were yet to be realised.

The inability to secure sponsorship from multiple sources outside the club’s flagship sponsors NetOne was a source of criticism, although the country’s poorly-performing economy can be used in his defence.