From Paul Mundandi in ZVISHAVANE
LUKE MASOMERE has hailed Zambian coach Kevin “KK” Kaindu as the ultimate professional and says the Highlanders’ gaffer has significantly boosted the Bosso brand since taking charge of the country’s oldest football club. Kaindu, who played for Bosso as a forward before returning at

the beginning of the season to take over as coach, has taken the Bulawayo giants to a record run of 21 league matches without defeat.
The Zambian gaffer, a God-fearing man who credits his success so far to the power of prayer, found a franchise that was at the crossroads but has transformed

Bosso into a position where they are battling for the league championship for the first time in six years.
This has also sparked huge interest, among the Bosso fans, and big crowds are now the order of the day at Barbourfields.
Masomere has also done very well to change Shabanie from a club that was battling relegation last season, and needed a final day victory over Bosso to remain in the Premiership, into a competitive outfit that has a chance of winning the league championship.

The Shabanie gaffer will take his Chinda Boys to Barbourfields this Sunday, in a big Premiership tie that could have a huge bearing in the outcome of the championship race, after having already been beaten at Maglas by Kaindu’s men.
Masomere believes Kaindu has been incredible, during his short stint as the Highlanders’ coach, and believes the young Zambian mentor deserves to be praised by fellow coaches for his performance in the pressure-cooker environment of Bosso.

“I have never heard Kaindu blasting the referees and he respects the outcome of the match,” said Masomere.
“He is a true professional and no other Zimbabwean coach has taken Highlanders to 21 games unbeaten, except our good friend Kaindu, who is from neighbouring Zambia.

“Some coaches are like musicians they shout ‘Ref, infringement, throw-in, raise your flag put it down’, the entire match. They spend the entire 90 minutes singing the same thing. Supersport is here and the whole world is now watching us and one day they will say ‘what’s wrong with Zimbabwean coaches?’
“We do our work during the week and during match day we must leave the officials to do their work. Matches are won fairly and last season I know of some team and people who were buying success. You can’t buy 10 games and then call yourself a championship-winning coach.”

Masomere said the referees have been brilliant this season.
“Referees have been very fair this season and I am very happy about their performance,” said Masomere.
“They can, however, make mistakes here and there but to err is human and, as professional coaches, when they make mistakes we must not crucify them,”

Shabanie have never beaten Bosso at Barbourfields since they first came into the Premiership 11 years ago. But Masomere remains bullish and believes it could all change on Sunday.

“History does not play a part in football,” said Masomere. “Shabanie have never beaten Highlanders in Bulawayo but Masomere has done it before. I want to remind Kaindu that Vahombe will be in town on Sunday and he must be prepared for a battle.
“I praised them when they beat us 2-0 at Maglas because they were fired-up and we did not deserve even a draw, I praised them because their team is disciplined and so is their coach (Kaindu).”

Masomere also took a swipe at some local coaches describing them as musicians.
In a similar fashion, the Highlanders coach Kaindu has also praised the referees.
“The officials are doing good work. They take charge of our matches and we must support them all the time so that they continue to improve.
“I respect Highlanders as they are our brothers. When we played at Maglas the atmosphere was friendly and I expect the same on Sunday. Bosso are unbeaten and Shabanie are playing very well so fans must expect a thriller. I have no injury worries and I expect Caleb (Masocha), who is playing very at the moment, to cause anxious moments for them,” said Masomere.

The Shabanie coach also took aim at football writers claiming some of them were busy scripting conspiracy theories to suggest that referees were teaming up against Bosso.

These football writers, said Masomere, appeared to be crying more than the bereaved.
“Some reporters are complaining that referees have teamed against Bosso yet the players, Kaindu, the club chairman or the executive have not complained.
“Where are you getting it from?

“I am challenging journalists not to make your opinions the people opinion because newspapers should not complain on behalf of Highlanders.”
Masomere team is very motivated to play Highlanders on Sunday and besides missing the services of Pervington Zimunya who lost his elder brother last Sunday the team is geared up.
Keagan (Mumba) Tenant (Chilumba) and Kevin Kaindu have taken our soccer to a higher level,” said Masomere.

Leading goal-scorer, Nelson Mazivisa, said he was raring to take on Bosso.
“I don’t know what will happen on Sunday but all I want is scoring a goal at Barbourfields,” said Maziwisa
Kaindu said history will have no bearing on Sunday.
“I am not looking at the past games or history,” said the Bosso gaffer.
“Shabanie are playing well and they have been winning. This is the second round and all teams in the Premiership want to collect points so fans should brace up for an interesting encounter.”