Kaindu challenges troops

HIGHLANDERS head coach Kelvin Kaindu has challenged his side to bounce back to winning ways when they face ZPC Kariba at Nyamhunga Stadium tomorrow afternoon.

While maximum points will not come easy for the Bulawayo football giants in the resort town, Kaindu has remained optimistic.

Bosso have not won a league game against ZPC Kariba since the team’s promotion to the Premiership in 2014.

They have a record of four draws and four losses away to the electricity boys. Kaindu said his charges have given him a positive response following their 2-0 loss against FC Platinum last Sunday.

The Zambian coach is confident they can come out with something from their trip to Kariba though he is worried about the travel arrangements given there will also be midweek fixtures in the coming week.

“Our preparations are going okay. We are trying to plan to see how in terms of training we will travel to ZPC Kariba and back for a mid-week encounter. In training the response has been positive. We welcome Melikhaya Ncube who was on suspension, and we are also monitoring Godknows Makaruse who could not finish the game against FC

Platinum. Archford Faira who missed the FC Platinum game is showing lots of improvement but we don’t want to put much pressure on him. He will not be available for the weekend game but we anticipate he will be available for the Manica Diamonds mid-week fixture,” said Kaindu.

Kaindu admitted it was a setback for his team to continually lose players to suspension.

Last week, Melikhaya Ncube was the one suspended. Defender Andrew Mbeba will miss tomorrow’s clash also due to suspension. “It does affect us one way or the other. Losing these players becomes a disadvantage in terms of selection. We just hope the player that will be allowed to play will do what the other player has been doing,” said Kaindu.

Last Sunday’s defeat to FC Platinum was Bosso’s second loss of the 2024 season and saw them slip down the ladder to position four on the table. Bosso are three points behind leaders Manica Diamonds who are on 19 points from 11 games.

“Regardless of the position we are in, football is a pressure game. Yes, we dropped on the log standings but we are a team that has tried to be consistent in terms of staying on top of the table. We are three points behind the team that is at the top of the table and we hope we bounce back in the next game,” said Kaindu.

Fixtures

Tomorrow
Ngezi v TelOne (Baobab Stadium), Bikita Minerals v Chegutu Pirates (Sakubva), Herentals v Bulawayo Chiefs (Rufaro), Arenel v Yadah (Luveve Stadium), FC Platinum v Hwange (Mandava Stadium), ZPC Kariba v Highlanders (Nyamhunga)

Sunday
Chicken Inn v Simba Bhora (Luveve), CAPS United v Dynamos (Rufaro), Manica Diamonds v Green Fuel