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Eddie Chikamhi
Senior Sports Reporter
AFTER guiding his side to a promising start this season, Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu is mindful of the threat of complacency creeping into his squad and has called for full force against minnows Chegutu Pirates at Barbourfields this Sunday.
The Bulawayo giants, who joined FC Platinum at the top of the Castle Lager Premiership table following the away win at TelOne last week, will be looking to maintain their unbeaten run when they return to play in front of familiar home crowds.
Barbourfields has been the favourite hunting ground for Kaindu’s men who have attracted large crowds to their matches.
It appears the return of Kaindu to Highlanders may also have brought back the vibe in the team and the confidence they so badly needed.
But the Zambian gaffer revealed he is not getting carried away after seeing his side collect three wins and a draw in their opening four games.
“Our only worry is complacency on our side,” Kaindu told journalists ahead of the home match against Chegutu Pirates.
“But if we can manage to deal with that, then it will be better. It becomes a bit tricky when we are playing teams that have just been recently promoted. I think, since they came to the league, they are doing fairly well,” said Kaindu. Bosso host Chegutu Pirates at a time the Premiership new boys have begun showing signs of competitiveness after winning their first game in the topflight league against GreenFuel last week.
Chegutu Pirates kicked off their campaign in the league with back-to-back defeats to FC Platinum and ZPC Kariba. But they have since picked themselves up following the goalless draw against last season’s league runners-up Manica Diamonds and the 1-0 win over Rodwell Dhlakama’s GreenFuel.
Pirates nonetheless face a big test of character against Highlanders, especially playing at Barbourfields where Bosso have won their two home games against Dynamos and Simba Bhora. Kaindu is building a strong side that he is hoping will challenge for honours at the end of the campaign, with players such as Devine Mhindirira, Lynoth Chikuhwa, McKinnon Mushore, Godfrey Makaruse, Andrew Mbeba, Peter Muduhwa, Archford Faira, Melikhaya Ncube and Andrew Tandi.
Unlike his predecessor Baltemar Brito, the Zambian coach has been there before both as a player and coach and understands the culture.
Highlanders under Kaindu missed the title by goal difference in a close race with Kalisto Pasuwa’s Dynamos in 2012.
The 2024 season has started on a promising note although the coach feels they could be headed for even more exciting times if the scripts unfold to their expectations.
For now, Kaindu is excited his strikers are beginning to come out of their shells after Brighton Ncube and Lynoth Chikuhwa found the target in the win over TelOne at Bata.
Chikuhwa now has two goals as he was also on the scoresheet in the 1-1 draw against the Chiefs. Midfielder Melikhaya Ncube also has two goals to his name.
“I think it will be a bit too early for us to talk about progress,” he said.
“But I think credit is to be given where it is showing. In the last game, we had two strikers on target. It shows improvement.
“In the past, defenders and midfielders like Melikhaya (Ncube) were assisting in terms of scoring. We don’t want just to rely on our strikers to score. We want everybody in the team to score but if you have a game and two of your strikers manage to get on target, I think it’s an improvement,” said Kaindu.
Online Reporter