Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere, Zimpapers Sports Hub
KELVIN Kaindu admits he never pictured himself coaching Dynamos, saying the fallout with Highlanders opened a door he never thought he’d walk through.
The Zambian mentor parted ways with Bosso in June, despite what many described as a promising start with a modest squad. His dismissal set in motion one of the most unexpected coaching shifts in local football.
“I think the rivalry between the two teams (Highlanders and Dynamos) has made it difficult for a player or a coach to move from Highlanders to Dynamos or vice versa,” Kaindu said.
“I never imagined myself coaching Dynamos and I think there is no coach who suddenly moved from Highlanders to coach Dynamos.
“However, this was made easy by the employer and employee relationship that was tabled, and also by the way I left Highlanders. I never imagined myself on the other side of the dressing rooms. I really felt how it is being an away team.”
This season, Kaindu made history by becoming the first coach to sit in both dugouts of Zimbabwe’s biggest league fixture within the same season. He was in charge of Highlanders when Bosso drew 0-0 with Dynamos at Rufaro on June 1, and on Sunday, he led Dynamos against the very team he helped assemble earlier this year.
Since taking charge of the Glamour Boys, Kaindu has overseen steady progress. The Harare giants remain 15th on the log, but they’ve been picking up crucial points in their bid to survive.
“It has just been through hard work and it has not been easy,” said Kaindu. “However, we are still bottom of the log but I’m happy we have been picking up points and we have caught up with most of the teams.”
Dynamos are tied on 34 points with Triangle United, Greenfuel, and Manica Diamonds, all of whom are still fighting to escape relegation.
Elsewhere, CAPS United’s 1-0 win over Manica Diamonds helped Bosso move into 10th place with 36 points, level with 11th placed Chicken Inn. The Gamecocks kept their own survival hopes alive with a surprise 1-0 victory over Triangle United at Gibbo Stadium.
“That’s what we want to achieve, avoid relegation. We’ve had a hell of a season. Winning this game gives us confidence going forward. In the next remaining three games we’ll need to keep getting it right,” said Chicken Inn coach, Joey Antipas.
The Gamecocks will wrap up their campaign with matches against CAPS United (home), Ngezi Platinum Stars (away), and Highlanders (home). — @FungaiMuderere
