Kaindu wants big vibe at Chahwanda

KELVIN KAINDU has walked into Kwekwe with expectations already piled high.
Fresh from an 11 match unbeaten run that helped rescue Dynamos from relegation last season, the Zambian coach now faces a different kind of pressure at Premiership newcomers, Hardrock.

Kaindu joined Hardrock after his short term contract with Dynamos expired in December. In Harare, he steadied a sinking ship, steering DeMbare away from what had looked like certain relegation and guiding them to a third straight Chibuku Super Cup title.

Now, he is in charge of a well financed side backed by club owner Shepherd Chahwanda, with a mandate that stretches beyond results. Hardrock are expected to restore top flight football energy in a town that has waited nearly two decades for a stable Premiership presence.

Kwekwe briefly celebrated last year when Kwekwe United won promotion. The excitement faded quickly.

The club chose to stage home matches in Gweru and struggled both on and off the pitch. Crowds never embraced them and relegation followed at the end of the season.

Hardrock have taken a different route. During their Central Region Soccer League campaign they regularly filled Baghdad Stadium, drawing strong community backing. That support now shifts to the newly built Chahwanda Stadium, widely regarded as one of the finest facilities in the country.

Kaindu understands that a modern stadium alone will not guarantee numbers through the gates.

“Yeah, we want to work very hard so that we bring the fans to the stadium. Looking at the infrastructure that we have, we want to see an atmosphere where our fans are coming in numbers to support the team,” he said.

He points to Simba Bhora’s early days in the top flight as a model.

“We’re happy to see the way Simba Bhora was able to attract the fans at their home ground when they started. There is that passion that the fans bring when the stadium is full. This is what we anticipate and hopefully this is what we’ll be saying in most of the games that will be played. We just hope that with the competition that will be there, there will be a lot of entertainment for the fans.

“I think we will just try as much as possible so that the fans get what they deserve from us.”
Hardrock have not chased headline names such as Khama Billiat and Knowledge Musona, now at Scottland. Instead, Kaindu has assembled a balanced squad that includes reigning Soccer Star of the Year Washington Navaya, Donald Mudadi, Boid Mutukure and goalkeeper, Martin Mapisa.

There is growing talk that Hardrock could follow Scottland’s script and challenge for the title in their debut season. Scottland lifted the championship at the first attempt last year, raising the bar for ambitious newcomers.

Kaindu, who has coached in Zimbabwe for over a decade with How Mine, Highlanders and Dynamos, knows how quickly hype can turn into pressure. He is not dismissing his team’s chances, but he expects a bruising campaign.

“I feel this is going to be a very competitive season looking at how much teams have shown in terms of preparation. We have seen that a number of teams have travelled outside the country for their preseason,” he said.

“We have seen teams locally that have also prepared well. A number of players have moved to different teams, and also coaches. I think maybe nine or 10 have changed clubs.

“That shows most teams now want to compete in the league. It’s going to be competitive, and that’s good for the nation when there is strong competition in the local league.”

For Kwekwe, the immediate task is simpler. Fill Chahwanda Stadium. Stay in the league. Prove that this return to the Premiership is not another short lived visit.