Founded in 1926 as Lions Football Club, composed mainly of boys born in Makokoba (Bulawayo's oldest township) by two of the Ndebele King Lobengula's grandsons, Albert and Rhodes, who were sons of Njube.

Amahlolanyama is Ndebele for the Grey-Crested Helmet-shrike, a bird found mostly in Southern parts of Zimbabwe whose black and white colours resemble those of the team's.

19th century- Colonialists decided to placate the Ndebele King Lobengula with a proposal to send his grandsons to study in the Cape Province in South Africa.

Rhodes continued playing soccer and formed a team called the Lions Football Club, composed mainly of boys born in Makokoba (Bulawayo's oldest township).

Players who clinched the honours included Ananias Dube, Billy Sibanda, Kenny Ngulube, Edward Dzowa, Andrew Jele, Tommy Masuku, Lawrence Phiri, Josiah Nxumalo, Geoffrey Mpofu, Boet Van As, Tymon Mabaleka, Gavin Dubely, Bruce Grobbelaar, Barry Daka, Tony McIlveen, and others.

1976 – Highlanders became dissatisfied with the national administration led by Mr. John Madzima, and pulled out of the RNFL to help form the South Zone Soccer League (SZSL).

Players who included the likes of Rahman Gumbo, Mercedes Sibanda, Willard "Nduuuna" Mashinkila-Khumalo, Madinda Ndlovu, Dumisani Ngulube and many others.

During the period 1999 and 2002 Highlanders had a talented squad consisting of Darlington Phiri, Blessing Gumiso, Anzlom “Malume” Ndlovu, Eddie “Tastic Rice” Nyika, Melody “Tshabalala” Wafawanaka, Thabani “Mqwayi” Masawi, Eddie “Amokachi” Dube, Noel “Beckham” Kaseke, Dazy “Walker the Texas Ranger” Kapenya, Bekithemba “Super SaMaNdlo” Ndlovu, Britto Gwere, Honour Gombami, Richard “Dabuka Express” Choruma, Johannes ”Signature” Ngodzo, Sautso “Special meat” Phiri, Charles Chilufya, Gift Lunga Junior, Tapuwa “Campos” Kapini, Melusi Mabaleka Sibanda, Siza Khoza, Zenzo “the Terminator” Moyo, Joel “Dubai” Luphahla, Thulani “Biya” Ncube, Mubariki “the Black Mamba” Chisoni, Edmore “Mamkwebu” SIBANDA, Pope Moyo, Mkhokheli Dube, Tapela “Cyclone” Ngwenya, Adam “Adamski” Ndlovu, Stuart “Shutto” Murisa.

At that time Bosso had a great leadership in Retired Colonel James Mangwana Tshuma, Enerst SIBANDA, Kenny Ndebele, Liqhwa Gama, Nhanhla Dube and well respected medic Dr Emmett Ndlovu.

The team consisted of Vusa Nyoni, Johannes Ngodzo, Honour Gombami, Ralph “Banolila” Matema, Obadiah Tarumbwa to mention just a few.