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LOWVELD outfit Triangle are bracing for challenging times ahead as they look set to lose not only their coach Kelvin Kaindu, but also the bulk of the players who led them to a fourth place finish in last season’s Premiership race.
Kaindu has been linked with a move to How Mine while the core of the players who made up the first team could be on the move during the off season break.
Triangle, who survived relegation on the last day in the 2013 campaign, returned stronger in the just ended season in which they held on to a fourth place finish.
The 2014 Easycall Cup winners, however, now face a debilitating player exodus after the majority of the men who had been doing duty for them objected to the perks that were being offered by the club and are understood to be resisting moves to extend their contracts. It has not been all rosy in the Lowveld as their principal sponsors — Tongaat Hullet — appear to be operating in a tough environment as shown by a crippling industrial action by the company’s workers last month which threatened sugar supplies on the market.
However, the club’s chairman, Lovemore Matikinyidze, yesterday tried to play down the problems haunting his side and said they do not anticipate a crisis.
Matikinyidze, however, said they are aware that some of the players could move but insisted that “the situation was under control’’.
The Sugar-Sugar Boys chairman said they have already roped in six new players as part of the pre-season build-up while negotiations are still going on with those whose contracts are running out.
He, however, did not name the six players that have joined his side.
“We have some players whose deals are expiring at the end of the year and if someone decides against renewing his contract we cannot stand in his way. But we are still engaging the players. We have also secured six new players for the new season,” said Matikinyidze.
Triangle have already lost four players in confirmed off-season deals with defender Jimmy Tigere having signed a two-year contract at ambitious Harare City, Hillary Bakacheza, who joined FC Platinum, midfielder Cabby Kamhapa left for CAPS United and Tichaona Chipunza is now with Harare giants Dynamos.
Former Eagles defenders Peter Muzondo and Ephraim Mwinga have been linked with moves back to ZPC Kariba while Malvin Gaki has been targeted by Harare City. Speedy winger Gaki has also been rumoured to be on the way out to How Mine where he intends to link with Zambian gaffer Kaindu.
The other players who have also been linked with moves to rebuilding How Mine are defender Jimmy Dzingai and former Warriors midfielder Pasca Manhanga.
Manhanga had previously worked with Kaindu at Highlanders when he was on loan from Triangle and the pair could link up again at Chikurupati.
Matikinyidze also insisted Kaindu is not going anywhere despite strong indications that he is now favourite to take over at How Mine. “I have heard the news about Kaindu moving to How Mine but to us there is nothing official. As far as I know he still has a running contract which takes him up to 31 December 2016. And for that matter we have not had any communication with him concerning this intended move,” said Matikinyidze.
Kaindu could not be reached for comment as he is understood to have travelled to Zambia for the holidays.
Online Reporter