Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
GIANTS Dynamos’ pre-season could have been thrown into disarray after they were outbid by Castle Lager Premiership new kids Hardrock in their efforts to keep head coach Kelvin Kaindu.
Kaindu, who impressed during a brief stint with the Glamour Boys, during which he won the Chibuku Super Cup and most importantly, masterminded a miraculous escape from relegation, was unveiled by the ambitious top-flight debutants over the weekend.
DeMbare team manager Ronald Gidiza Sibanda was also named as the new team manager at the Kwekwe side, landing a double blow to the Harare giants.
The developments have left the Glamour Boys rummaging for a new coach to take care of the pre-season as well as steer the struggling giants in 2026.
DeMbare’s marketing executive David Chikomo yesterday told Zimpapers Sports Hub that the giants had begun planning for 2026 with Kaindu in mind and conceded they lost a bidding war to Hardrock, who announced a new technical team on Saturday.
“Unfortunately, we had signed him for just six months because we did not have much of a choice then. When he came, it was difficult to convince anyone to sign for longer because of the position that we were in,” he said.
“But we managed to get his signature, anyway. We had confidence in him and our decision was vindicated. Our hope was to extend the marriage into the next season. We presented him a new offer.
“Actually, that was the first thing that we did when the season ended. We really wanted continuity; hence we had prepared an improved contract. But our offer maybe wasn’t good enough for him because he told us on Saturday he was leaving.
“So, we would like to thank Mr Kaindu for his contributions at Dynamos. Right now, we are receiving CVs from prospective coaches because we want to prepare for 2026. Hopefully, by the end of week we will be able to have short-listed potential candidates,” said Chikomo.
Kaindu’s departure was a big blow to Dynamos, who had hoped to build on the momentum they built at the backend of the 2025 season.
The Zambian coach made a massive impact when he joined the Harare giants in August, with a 16-match unbeaten run in both the league and cup competitions.
After finding the club perched hopelessly second from the bottom, Kaindu ensured DeMbare’s survival with an impressive six wins and five draws.
He also had a dominant campaign in the Chibuku Super Cup, winning all five games for DeMbare to retain the trophy for an unprecedented third consecutive season.
Following the feat, DeMbare have been honoured by PSL to keep the silverware for good.
However, the latest developments have also left the Dynamos supporters unsettled.
Some of the DeMbare faithful that spoke to Zimpapers Sports Hub yesterday felt the club was too relaxed on Kaindu.
Dynamos Supporters Association (Harare Chapter) secretary-general Benevolence Vono Nyamasvisva said the club should have gone out of its way to make sure Kaindu stayed.
“Truly speaking, this is not what I had expected to see after the good work that we saw with Kaindu. I also believe that the majority of Dynamos supporters were shocked, considering that we were expecting to build from surviving the relegation and winning the Chibuku Trophy,” said Vono.
He said DeMbare executive led by Moses Maunganidze should take the flak and suggested a revamp of leadership.
“It all goes back to what we have been saying about lack of professionalism. Maybe this executive has been waiting to see if there isn’t any club interested in Kaindu, so that they will start bargaining on the contract.
“We are giving the Board of Directors until the first five days of January 2026 to appoint a competitive executive.
“We want a competitive executive and a competitive technical team. I also heard that we are losing a lot of first team players. Which is something that we will not accept at all,” Vono said.
DeMbare cheerleader Chris Romario Musekiwa said Kaindu’s departure was a huge setback.
“It’s a huge loss given the impact he brought to Dynamos at a critical time when the club was in a relegation puzzle. Kaindu instilled winning strategies and a renewed sense of belief in the team.
“He will be sadly missed. We wish him all the best at Hardrock Football Club. These days football is big business. During this transfer window teams with financial stability will always get top-quality coaches and players of their choice first.
“We hope and trust Dynamos will bring another good coach soon such that serious preparations for the 2026 season start soon,” said Musekiwa. Hard Rock will be playing Premiership football for the first time and have begun a major overhaul after parting ways with some of the members of the technical team that helped the team from the ZIFA Central Region Soccer League.
They announced the departure of technical director Luke Masomere and assistant coach Rutherford Matondo.
Calvin Matondo, the head coach who presided over the victorious season in the Central Region, was demoted to second assistant coach in a new technical set-up led by Kaindu. Prince Matore was named first assistant coach and Isaac Nyabvure as third assistant. Munyaradzi Diya is the new goalkeepers’ coach. Speaking after his appointment, Kaindu said: “I’m honoured to be joining Hardrock FC at such a pivotal moment. This club has shown ambition, unity and potential — and I’m ready to contribute to its continued rise.”
Club president Shepherd Magodora Chahwanda expressed full confidence in the changes ahead of the 2026 campaign.
“As we prepare for our journey into the 2026 PSL season, we acknowledge that new levels demand new strategies . . . These adjustments are necessary to strengthen our operations, enhance competitiveness, and align our club with PSL standards,” said Chahwanda.
