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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, in Bulawayo
AFTER months of speculation over his future at Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu looks set to soon dump the Bulawayo giants and take up a national team coaching job in his native Zambia.
It has emerged that Kaindu will in the next few months quit his job and return to Zambia to take up a new post within the Football Association of Zambia ranks.

Kaindu is highly tipped to take charge of the Zambian Under-23 side for their 2016 Olympic Games qualifiers in a move that could affect Bosso’s bright start to the season.

The Football Association of Zambia have confirmed the imminent move that is certain to send shock waves within the Highlanders family.

Once he returns to Zambia, Kaindu is most likely to work with former Hwange and FC Platinum coach Tennant Chilumba who also dumped the money bags unexpectedly last season, just a few months after parting ways with the coalminers.

Investigations by the Chronicle in the last two weeks, reveal that the former Zanaco and Highlanders striker has always been on the radar of FAZ, who are led by Zambian legend Kalusha Bwalya.

The Zambian football mother body are also believed to have been funding Kaindu’s advanced coaching courses which the gaffer has been undertaking in the United Kingdom.

Kaindu has been making up and down trips to the UK to undertake studies for the Uefa B coaching badge, every time going via Zambia.

In the latest of his trips, Kaindu left Bulawayo for Zambia on Tuesday but unlike on previous occasions when he would then proceed to the UK, he is expected in Zimbabwe today or tomorrow as he is understood to have gone to sort out his visa.

But there is no doubting that it is Kaindu’s imminent departure from Bosso that could affect the Bulawayo giants, who have become the league’s early pacesetters after dislodging Hwange from the top of the standings on goal difference.

Both Bosso and Hwange have seven points from three games and interestingly the two sides will square off in a top of the table clash at Barbourfields on Sunday.

With FAZ also confirming that they are planning to have Kaindu lead their Olympic squad, Bosso may well have to start scouting for a new gaffer to take charge when their incumbent coach eventually leaves.

“Yes we are planning for that, because he is doing well there, he will be in charge of the Under-23s for the Olympics,” said the FAZ technical director Honour Janza yesterday.

Janza said they would start their preparations next month and will soon be engaging the Highlanders leadership over the coach’s issue.

“It will depend on him and his employers in terms of when he would probably start but we need him,” said Janza, a respected figure within the Zambian football circles.

Highlanders chairman Peter Dube, however, professed ignorance over the matter and said they were yet to get any official communication from both their coach and the FAZ administration.

“We are not aware of that (Kaindu’s impending move), they have not advised us and naturally we will look at things when we get to that situation,” said Dube.

The often diplomatic Dube, however, appeared shocked by the developments but still declined to entertain further questions pertaining to Kaindu’s imminent departure.

Kaindu, a God-fearing coach, had his second romance with the Bulawayo giants in January 2012, when he returned to their ranks this time as a coach. He had earlier starred for them as a winger.

The coach initially signed a two-year deal to coach Bosso with the then management led by Themba Ndlela.

Kaindu’s stay at Highlanders was then extended by another two years by the Dube executive after he had led the club to Mbada Diamonds Cup success with victory over city neighbours How Mine last year.

In his first year in charge, Kaindu led Bosso to an unbeaten run of 23 matches but still failed to land the league title, losing it on goal difference to bitter rivals Dynamos.

It was the same bitter tale last season with Bosso coming agonisingly close to claiming the title but still finishing runners-up to DeMbare, courtesy of an inferior goal difference.

Kaindu, who has also been linked with a move to South African First Division outfit Jomo Cosmos, could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Although this pending departure will send some shock waves among the Bosso faithful, the Bulawayo giants will this week shift their attention to their early shout in the championship race with Hwange arriving in town on Sunday.

Premiership action will, however, begin in Bulawayo tomorrow when How Mine, still struggling to pick up the pieces from their failed Confederation Cup campaign host Shabanie Mine at Luveve.

Three matches are lined up for Saturday with CAPS United’s trip to Mandava for a date with Lloyd Mutasa’s FC Platinum the pick of the day’s programme.

On Sunday champions Dynamos lock horns with the city rivals Harare City in a derby tie at the National Sports Stadium.

Fixtures:
Tomorrow:
How Mine v Shabanie Mine (Luveve)
Saturday:
FC Platinum v CAPS United (Mandava), Black Rhinos v Chiredzi (Rimuka), Bantu Rovers v Chapungu (Luveve)
Sunday:
Highlanders v Hwange (Barbourfields), Triangle United v Chicken Inn (Gibbo), Dynamos v Harare City (National Sports Stadium) Buffaloes v ZPC Kariba (Sakubva)