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Langton Nyakwenda
Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS coach Kelvin Kaindu has a lot of things on his mind.
His team will travel almost 1 400 km to and from Kariba before playing a midweek game in Bulawayo against the league’s most in-form team Manica Diamonds.
And the Zambian has been thinking a lot about how he will manage his training sessions to ensure his players do not succumb to fatigue.
Bosso are struggling for form and are also missing some key players.
After start the season on a high, claiming four wins in their first five games, fortunes are changing for the Bulawayo giants who have managed a single point in their last five matches.
They were the early pacesetters and topped the log for about six weeks, but Bosso now find themselves trailing log leaders Manica Diamonds by three points, going into Round 12 of the 2024 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
Highlanders face ZPC Kariba at Nyamhunga tomorrow before hosting Manica Diamonds at Barbourfields on Thursday.
Although they welcome back star man Melikaya Ncube, Bosso will be missing key player Andrew Mbeba when they play ZPC Kariba.
Mbeba, a versatile player who can play across the back line, is suspended.
Vastly improved left back Archford Faira is also out due to injury and there are doubts over the availability of Godfrey “Godera” Makaruse.
“There’s the issue of logistics, as we are travelling to Kariba and then come back to play midweek,” reckons Kaindu.
“But, in terms of training, the response from the boys has been good.”
Highlanders have to bounce back from a 0-2 home defeat against FC Platinum last weekend.
Makaruse could not finish that match after picking up a knock.
“We will see how Godera (Makaruse) responds, but he has been fine in training.
“Faira resumed training this week and there’s been some improvement. We don’t want to put a lot of pressure on him.
“We are hoping and anticipating in the next fixture he will be available,” revealed Kaindu.
But the Zambian gaffer is worried about the absence of Mbeba.
“These are key players and their absence does affect us in one way or the other.
“We will have to look at other players who are available but if you lose players through suspension it gives you disappointment in terms of team selection,” said Kaindu.
Highlanders have 19 points from five wins, four draws, and two losses.
Of late, they have been dropping points, especially in the last five rounds.
Bosso have one win in their last five matches and pressure has slowly been mounting on Kaindu.
“Pressure will always be there, regardless of the position you are in, but we have to manage it,” said the Zambian.
“We have been a team that has tried to be consistent in terms of staying on top. We are three points behind the team that is leading, so hopefully we will bounce back in the coming game.
“(ZPC Kariba) they are tricky opponents, although they haven’t started quite well.”
ZPC Kariba have 12 points from 11 matches.
“Kauya Katuruturu” have two wins, six draws, and three losses.
But, they have never lost to Highlanders in a league match at Nyamhunga since May 2015 when the Kariba venue hosted its first Premier Soccer League match.
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