Bosso coach warns against complacency

HIGHLANDERS coach Kelvin Kaindu has warned his troops not to become complacent when they face Bulawayo Chiefs in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.

Highlanders pipped arch rivals Dynamos 2-1 in their opening match of the 2024 campaign, but Kaindu has emphasised that the team must focus on the upcoming game.

“The team worked extra hard to get those points against Dynamos in an explosive match. Like I said in my last interview, that game is gone and we have to focus on the coming game. It’s a derby, and derbies are not easy.

“Our biggest enemy can only be complacency, but once we focus and get it into our system that we cannot afford to be complacent, then we can come out with a victory,” said Kaindu.

He admitted to knowing very little about Bulawayo Chiefs, and said he will be relying on his assistants to help formulate a strategy.

He, however, acknowledged that playing the game at Barbourfields Stadium provided a slight advantage, despite Bosso being the away side.

“They know us and they watch all our games. Maybe the players and us the coaches interact once in a while. Our greatest enemy will be how we approach the game. It is one of the most difficult games, especially if you are coming from a big game.

“We are hoping that we get our tactics right and at the end of the day get a positive result, otherwise this is not going to be an easy game,” he said.

“We are playing at home away from home. We may not have the privileges of being the home side, but we are familiar with the ground and we are certain the fans will come in their numbers to rally behind the team. So, it is a slight advantage that we are playing at Barbourfields Stadium,” said Kaindu.

Bosso go into Sunday’s game with a mostly healthy team, with only Devine Mhindirira and Darlington Munkuli still recovering from injury.
Munkuli has to see a specialist.

“In our last game, we had minor knocks, but we are happy that everyone has recovered. However, Devine Mhindirira is still injured, but he is not very far from recovery.

“He is training with the rest of the team. We are working hand in hand with him and the doctors trying to make sure he gets fit.”

In other games, Ngezi Platinum Stars host FC Platinum at Baobab on Saturday, while Simba Bhora, who beat Manica Diamonds in Mutare last weekend, host their first home topflight game at Wadzanai Stadium in Shamva against Greenfuel.

Fixtures

Saturday: Simba Bhora vs Greenfuel (Wadzanai), TelOne vs Manica Diamonds (Bata), Ngezi Platinum Stars vs FC Platinum (Baobab), Chicken Inn vs Arenel Movers (Luveve), Herentals vs Caps United (Nyamhunga), Dynamos vs Hwange (Barbourfields)

Sunday: Bulawayo Chiefs vs Highlanders (Barbourfields), Chegutu Pirates vs ZPC Kariba (Baobab)
—@innocentskizoe