dyton mupawaenda
Fungai Muderere-Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO football giants, Highlanders beat former Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions FC Platinum and Chicken Inn to the signature of God-fearing mentor Kelvin Kaindu.
Kaindu, who was in the country yesterday before returning to Zambia, bounced back to the black and white army amid revelations by the club that he has been appointed the club’s gaffer to replace expatriate Baltemar Brito.
“Highlanders Football Club is delighted to announce Kelvin Kaindu as the head coach for the club’s first team,” Highlanders said in a statement.
They added: “Kaindu is not new to the club, having previously played for Highlanders in 1997, before he was entrusted with the Bosso dugout between 2012 and 2014. The entire management and the club would like to extend a warm welcome to Kaindu and wish him all the best as he opens yet another chapter with Highlanders Football Club.”
An impeccable source close to Kaindu said: “The coach was in the country on other business. However, he met the Highlanders leadership and verbally agreed on everything. He is yet to put pen to paper because everything hinges on Highlanders sponsorship. So many clubs were hunting for Kelvin Kaindu’s signature.”
Pure Platinum Play and Chicken Inn are set to engage in a rebuilding exercise after a season that saw them play second fiddle to Ngezi Platinum Stars, Manica Diamonds, and Dynamos.
Kaindu, an ex-Bosso winger, is a stone that the Bosso family surprisingly turned their backs against way back in 2014.
Meanwhile, Highlanders spokesperson Nozibeli Maphosa yesterday said the club was yet to be approached by clubs seeking the services of its players.
The rumour mill has been awash with several players said to be on the departure lounge after the expiry of their contracts.
Maphosa said they were yet to get communication from other clubs over their players.
“All technical issues involving Kaindu’s backroom staff and players the club will make a statement,” was all she could say.
Mbongeni Ndlovu, who was the most consistent of the Highlanders defenders is wanted by FC Platinum. The Zvishavane side is keen to bounce back after being pipped by Ngezi Platinum and Manica Diamonds to the top two slots in the Zimbabwe Castle Lager Premiership this season.
He will be a natural replacement for Gift Bello who retired on the last day of the championship after almost two decades as a player at the highest level in Zimbabwe where he won championships with Dynamos and FC Platinum.
Last week Ndlovu confirmed that he had heard of the FC Platinum interest in him but nothing had come through.
“I have not yet signed. I am still a Highlanders player,” said the favourite for the Highlanders Player of the Year if the club decides to honour its outstanding players in a season they flattered only to deceive after a promising start in which they went 19 matches unbeaten. Bosso would succumb to a spectacular collapse eventually finishing fifth on the log in a year they appeared on course to break a 17-year-old championship jinx.
While not the most skilful of defenders, Ndlovu impressed with his never say die spirit at the back winning important duels against the country’s top strikers.
His partner at the heart of the defence Peter Muduhwa and fellow Warriors defender Andrew Mbeba are wanted by Ngezi Platinum, the 2023 Castle Lager champions.
The title holders have not hidden their intentions of wanting to strengthen their team ahead of their 2024/25 Confederation of African Football Champions League appearance.
Bosso are yet to negotiate contracts with some of their senior players who include Ray Lunga and Brighton Manhire.
Online Reporter