Online Reporter
Stanford Chiwanga, Quality Editor
ISN’T it ironic that the man who used to plot Dynamos’ downfall is now turning into its unlikely saviour? Isn’t it the stuff of badly scripted soap operas that the man who almost denied DeMbare two league titles is now the man who will most likely ensure that The Glamour Boys survive relegation? Isn’t it theatrical that the man who broke Chazunguza’s long-standing dominance over Highlanders will on Sunday seek to restore it?
Kelvin Kaindu is the man who stands on the brink of scripting a story that could redefine his legacy. The Zambian tactician, often remembered for his near-misses with Highlanders and his tactical discipline, is now orchestrating a revival at Dynamos that, if successful, will be his magnum opus. Not even finishing second to Callisto Pasuwa’s dynastic Dynamos side can compare to the magnitude of what Kaindu is attempting in 2025.
To understand the gravity of Kaindu’s current mission, one must first appreciate the depths to which Dynamos had sunk. The Glamour Boys, once the pride of Harare and the standard-bearers of Zimbabwean football, found themselves languishing in 17th place, flirting dangerously with relegation. The club had become a shadow of its former self, with a blunt strike force, managerial instability, and a fan base that had grown weary of false dawns.
When Kaindu took over, the team had just 22 points and was five adrift of safety. The situation was dire. The stakes were existential.
Yet, Kaindu, dubbed “Pastor” for his calm demeanour and unwavering faith, saw light where others saw darkness. Since his appointment, Dynamos have gone unbeaten in eight matches across all competitions, winning five and drawing three. They have clawed their way to position 14 with 33 points, just two behind Highlanders, and earned a place in the Chibuku Super Cup semi-finals. This resurgence is not merely statistical—it is spiritual. Kaindu has breathed life into a club that was gasping for air.
Compare this to his time at Highlanders, where he twice finished second to Pasuwa’s Dynamos, losing the league title on goal difference in 2012 and 2013. Those seasons were painful for Bosso fans, but they were also seasons of pride. Highlanders played beautiful football, competed toe-to-toe with the best, and were genuine title contenders. Kaindu’s
Highlanders were respected, feared, and admired. But they were not desperate. They were not broken. They were not facing the abyss.Saving Dynamos from relegation is a different beast. It is not about tactical finesse or chasing glory—it is about survival. It is about restoring dignity to a fallen giant. It is about proving that Kaindu is not just a good coach, but a revolutionary one. If he succeeds, he will have achieved what no other coach has done in recent memory: rescuing Zimbabwe’s most decorated club from the jaws of relegation and doing so with a squad that had forgotten how to win.
And therein lies the irony. Highlanders, the club that once entrusted Kaindu with their dreams, chose to part ways with him mid-season after a string of draws and a perceived lack of cutting edge. They cited unsatisfactory results, despite sitting in ninth place and having one of the best defensive records in the league. The decision was met with mixed reactions, with many fans arguing that Kaindu was not the problem, but the scapegoat. Bosso’s executive, in their haste to appease restless supporters, may have committed a strategic blunder that will haunt them for years.
This blunder becomes even more glaring when considered alongside the loyalty they dismissed and the instability they invited. It was Kaindu who, during his second stint at Highlanders, broke Dynamos’ long-standing dominance in the Battle of Zimbabwe. Under his guidance, Bosso not only defeated Dynamos but completed a season double over them for the first time since 2017. A 2–1 victory at Barbourfields was followed by a commanding 2–0 win at Rufaro Stadium. These results were not just wins—they were symbolic. They shattered a psychological barrier and restored belief in a team that had long lived in Dynamos’ shadow. Kaindu achieved what many before him had failed to do, and he did it with tactical clarity and emotional intelligence.
And yet, Highlanders have now placed their faith in Hendrik Pieter De Jongh—a coach whose loyalty to Bosso was tested and found wanting. De Jongh, the flamboyant Dutchman, once abandoned Highlanders for FC Platinum at a time when the club needed him most. His departure was abrupt, his reasoning unclear, and his commitment questioned. Bosso fired Kaindu, a coach whose blood is black and white, a coach who, unlike the nomadic De Jongh, never abandoned ship. It was Bosso who abandoned him.
Kaindu’s devotion to Highlanders was never in doubt. Even when results were not going his way, he remained composed, respectful, and committed to the cause. He understood the culture, the expectations, and the emotional weight of coaching Bosso. His departure was not a resignation—it was a rejection. And now, as he prepares to face his former club in a match that could define the season, the contrast between him and De Jongh could not be starker.
As fate would have it, Kaindu returns to Barbourfields Stadium—not as Bosso’s saviour, but as Dynamos’ redeemer. The Battle of Zimbabwe this Sunday is no longer a clash of titans—it is a fight for survival. Both teams are desperate for points, and the emotional stakes could not be higher. For Kaindu, it is a chance to prove Highlanders wrong. For Dynamos, it is a chance to believe again.
Pasuwa’s achievements at Dynamos—four consecutive league titles and a dozen trophies—are etched in history. But Pasuwa had a well-oiled machine, a winning culture, and a squad brimming with talent. Kaindu, by contrast, inherited chaos. If he manages to steer Dynamos to safety, it will be a triumph of resilience, faith, and tactical brilliance. It will be one of the greatest escapes in Zimbabwean football history.
And it will be Kaindu’s greatest achievement—a legendary feat made all the more bittersweet because the club he rescues is Dynamos, the fierce rival he spent years fighting for the sake of his beloved Highlanders.
