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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS are yet to officially open contract extension talks with their coach Kelvin Kaindu whose contract expires at the end of the year.
The executive has however, moved quickly to allay any fears that it wants to see the Zambian’s contract running out before engaging a new mentor, saying “we will take appropriate action at the appropriate time.”
Highlanders’ entire technical team members have their contracts expiring at the end of the year but it is that of the head coach that is of paramount importance.
Kaindu signed a two-year performance-based contract that came into effect early last year but his stay at the Bulawayo giants of late has resulted in a lot of behind the scenes talk.
He led Highlanders to a second place finish in his maiden season when they lost the title to bitter rivals Dynamos through an inferior goal difference. This year Bosso remain firmly on course for a first league title in seven years. Their cup games show however, remains terrible having been dumped out of two tournaments since Kaindu came on board and lost in the final on two invitational competitions, the Bob89 Super Cup and Independence Cup finals.
Talk in the streets is that FC Platinum have already offered him a lucrative contract. Earlier last month the Zambian vehemently denied attending job interviews at his home country’s Power Dynamos.
Kaindu is said to have been recommended for the job at the platinum mine by former FC Platinum coach Tennant Chilumba who took up employment with Power Dynamos.
Sources in Zvishavane have confirmed the platinum miners’ interest in the coach who if appointed would replace Lloyd Mutasa in December with the former Dynamos man becoming the first assistant and development head.
Bosso chairman Peter Dube told Chronicle Sport that the club was not panicking and would take appropriate action at the appropriate time.
“We are not disturbed at the moment as Kaindu is still contracted to Highlanders. We have been working in peace with him and there is really no need to jump the gun,” said Dube.
He said Highlanders had a positive working relationship with Kaindu who led the team to a second position finish at the end of the season last year and are still on course for a first ever league title in seven years.
The Highlanders chairman said as a sponsored team, there was a need to approach the situation with that in mind so as not to breach any standing agreements.
“At the moment there is no cause to panic, not at all,” said Dube.
The Highlanders technical staff and players’ salaries are paid by the principal sponsor, BancABC with the club taking care of winning bonuses.
There is a likelihood that the club might extend Kaindu’s contract that will see him becoming the first Highlanders coach in a long time to stay for more than two years at the club.
In other leagues around the world, coaches sign a minimum of three years with a possibility to extend depending on the results on the field of play.
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