adminNkosilathi Sibanda at Barbourfields , [email protected]
Highlanders 2-1 Dynamos
KELVIN Kaindu stepped out of the dugout to the roar of Highlanders fans at Barbourfields and he knew he had a task to please them with a good Sunday afternoon’s result.
Watch video:https://youtu.be/AkvQFc5doto
So it was, as the Highlanders coach and his charges dealt visiting Dynamos a blow, in a 2-1 victory in their Castle Lager Premiership season opener.
This was Kaindu’s first win on all his assignments against DeMbare, in what brought a smile on his part, also healing wounds of the 2012 to 2014 Premiership campaigns, where Bosso let slip the league title to Dynamos, on goal difference.
Yesterday was Kaindu’s first litmus test pass and indeed, when the full-time whistle blew, he heaped that sigh of relief, having been nervous for too long.
Facing Dynamos is no easy task for any coach, he said.
Not reading much into the game, Kaindu made mention that his pre-match instruction was fulfilled, which was to play for the 12th man, the fans.
His post-match brief summed it up.
“We appreciate the fans. They came out on the first game. We are hoping to keep the momentum and build from what we have started.
“We even said among ourselves, that, let us make our fans happy and have them go back home celebrating. This is history,” said Kaindu.
The coach was not shy to say their first match, even though it was a victory, came at a cost.
“It wasn’t an easy game. The good thing is that we managed to start with a victory, which is an improvement on our part.
“It was just unfortunate that in the second-half, we played too much in our own half. The good thing was the tactical discipline and organisation,” he said.
His opposite number, the DeMbare coach, Genesis Mangombe bemoaned the lack of depth from his boys on the day.
“We failed to maintain our lines and we conceded silly goals. We still had a problem when we failed to defend,” said Mangombe.
The coach, however, said they will have to make up for the loss and improve in their next assignments.
“It’s a game of football and when we make mistakes, we have to correct and move forward. This is water under the bridge and a learning curve.
“The good thing is that we are not playing badly. We are well, save for those silly goals that were avoidable.”
In the match, Highlanders opened the scoring through a shot off Melikhaya Ncube, who benefited from the industry of dribbling wizard Mckinnon Mushore in the 19th minute.
Archford Faira scored the second goal three minutes into the second stanza.
DeMbare got their solace from Emmanuel Mandinyenya in the 60th minute.
The win lifted the mood in the home side’s den, leaving the visitors counting a loss they never expected on the road.
Teams
Highlanders: Ariel Sibanda, Marvelous Chigumira, Lynoth Chikuhwa (Calvin Chigonero 66th minute) Mason Mushore (Marvin Sibanda 84th minute), Andrew Mbeba, McKinnon Mushore (Gillian Nyathi 66th minute), Peter Muduhwa, Reason Sibanda, Archford Faira, Brighton Ncube, Melikhaya Ncube
Dynamos: Prince Tafiremutsa (gk), Temptation Chiwunga, Donald Dzvinyai, Donald Mudadi (Shadreck Nyahwa, 63rd minute), Kevin Moyo, Nomore Chinyerere, Emmanuel Jalai, Valentine Kandonzvo (Keith Madera 33rd minute), Fredrick Botchway (Elton Chikona 63rd minute), Issa Sadiki (Emmanuel Paga 63rd minute), Alexander Mandinyenya (Sadney Uri-Khob 79th minute).
Referee: Brighton Chimhene.
Online Reporter