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KELVIN KAINDU

Augustine Hwata Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS coach Kelvin Kaindu was forced out of the club yesterday, just two days after a demoralising home defeat at the hands of ZPC Kariba torched violent disturbances in Bulawayo. The Zambian gaffer had been in charge of Bosso since 2011 and, in the last two years, only lost the championship race to Dynamos on goal difference. A former player at the club, Kaindu has come under intense pressure in recent weeks with the fans questioning his credentials after a poor run.

On Monday, Kaindu told our sister newspaper, Chronicle, that he was going nowhere with club chief executive, Ndumiso Gumede, taking a swipe at the hooligans who rioted after the loss to ZPC Kariba.

Yesterday, the Zimbabwe Soccer Coaches’ Association condemned club administrators who remain in comfort zones when their coaches are at the mercy of rowdy fans because of poor results.

Bekhi Nyoni, the ZISCA chairman, yesterday said it was disheartening to note that a number of Castle Lager Premiership coaches have to live in fear of reprisals from a section of their fans.

Nyoni pointed out that Kaindu and Taurai Mangwiro of CAPS United should have been protected by their clubs’ executives.
“When the season starts, it’s the executive committee who enter into an agreement with a coach. The parties set out their targets and there should be need for a review of those targets in mid-season.

“There is need to find out if the coaches had the resources to achieve the goals or if the executive failed to provide the resources.
“Now we have this issue where violent fans besiege the coaches yet it’s the executive committee who have a contract with the coaches,” said Nyoni.

Nyoni felt that the Highlanders leadership succumbed to the pressure from their fans to force Kaindu out.
“The administrators should be strong and point out that they are sticking with the coach or that there are partying ways.

“It’s bad for club officials to hoodwink the coaches that they are together yet they try to be clean when confronted by their fans.
“The supporters do not have contracts with the club but it’s the coaches.

“Failure by a team should be viewed in its wholesome and if the administrators are genuine, they should also resign along the coaches,” he said.
Nyoni said it was important for fans to understand that football becomes very competitive towards the end of the season.

“If a club like Highlanders, who are third on the log, loses to a club that is second on the table like ZPC Kariba, there is no reason to throw missiles.
“How Mine are in the same league with CAPS United and the fact that they drew at Rufaro should not be a reason for firing coaches. As ZISCA we are challenging administrators to have total control of their fans otherwise we might have coaches being attacked at their homes,” he said.