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Sikhumbuzo Moyo
HIGHLANDERS coach Kelvin Kaindu will fly out of the country at the end of this month to attend a Uefa B licence coaching course in the United Kingdom, it has been confirmed.
Kaindu, whose contract looks set to be renewed by the Peter Dube led executive for an even longer period, refused to comment and referred all questions to the club executive.
“I have no comment about that, talk to my club bosses, the secretary or the chairman,” said Kaindu.
Highlanders boss Dube confirmed the imminent departure of their double chasing Zambian coach but allayed fears of any coaching crisis at the club.
“It’s not something that suddenly cropped up today, he made his application last year and we were aware of that. He won’t be permanently based there as such but will be going there on regular intervals beginning at the end of this month,” said Dube.
Dube said this was a high level professional course which will in the long run benefit even the club hence their continued insistence that they were working well with Kaindu.
“That is why every now and again we would say that we are working well with the coach. He has been good to us and we hope he sees us the same way too. The course runs until mid next year and as Highlanders we believe we will benefit immensely from the knowledge that he will gain,” said Dube.
Asked on what measures they will put in place especially now that the team is eyeing a cup and league double and even next year during pre-season preparations, Dube said they have been busy preparing for this eventuality and everything was being taken care of.
Assistant coaches Bekithemba Ndlovu and Tembo Chuma are likely to be in charge of the team during Kaindu’s absence. While Ndlovu can still be considered as a budding coach, the Binga born Chuma has some experience as he once led Masvingo United to the Premier Soccer League as their head coach.
With the Mbada Diamonds Cup taking centre stage for the next two weeks and there after Highlanders taking on ailing Tripple B in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League at Barbourfields Stadium, Kaindu might miss the potential title decider against arch rivals Dynamos in Week 25.
Highlanders are lying second on the log standings with 41 points, only a point behind reigning champions Dynamos.
“It’s very unfortunate really that he leaves us now but there can never be a better time for him to leave where we would say as a club, now its fine he can go. In a way his departure was always going to be a bit difficult for the club but at the same time it will, in the long run, benefit us immensely,” said Dube.
Kaindu, a former Highlanders player, took over as head coach last year from Mkhuphali Masuku whose contract was not renewed.
He has had some attachments at English clubs including at the now relegated Reading.
Online Reporter