Zimpapers Logo

Veronica Gwaze-Sports Reporter

HIGHLANDERS head coach Kelvin Kaindu described his team’s six-game unbeaten run to the start of their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League campaign as a perfect home-coming for him. 

The team sits top of the log standings with 14 points from four wins and two draws. 

They are also fresh from last weekend’s 1-1 stalemate with reigning champions Ngezi Platinum at Baobab Stadium. 

And Kaindu, who recently returned to the club for a second dance, is charmed by the progress that his team is making.

The Zambian expatriate previously served the club between 2011 and 2014, before his emotional exit following an ‘involuntary’ resignation. 

“This is one of the teams at my heart and I always believed that one day I would come back and return to such a record. I am pleased,” he said. 

“It might not be what I expected when I got back, but credit to the boys for the work, they are self-motivated and have a burning passion. 

“It is hard work paying off. Nobody gave us a chance because when the other teams went on the market to buy players during the offseason, we did not do so, we just promoted our players from the developmental side. 

“From there it looked like we were creating a team that would compete on the average but look at how things have panned out.” 

Despite his “forced” exit back then, Kaindu had an impressive track record after guiding the team to their longest league unbeaten record in the current premiership. 

His team played up to match day 23 without tasting defeat in 2012. 

That same year, he led them to a second-place league finish after champions Dynamos. 

In 2014, when he left, Bosso was in fourth place in the league, seven points behind Dynamos who sat at the top. 

The team was also in their Chibuku semi-finals while they also stood a good chance of making it to the Mbada Diamonds semis. 

However, barely four months after his departure, revealed Kaindu, the club sought him back. 

“I could have been back two or three months after I left and even during my time at Triangle because there were intentions from the other party for me to do so,” revealed Kaindu. 

“I could not do so at that moment but I told myself that one day I would come back and rebuild the project that I started back then.” 

Kaindu is determined to surpass the records he set in his first stint with the club. Despite his fresh determination in gunning for the domestic championship, the gaffer still has the “painful” memories from back in the day.

In the two seasons that he led his team to league runners-up, he lost to Kalisto Pasuwa who was at the helm of Dynamos at the time. Pasuwa won the championship with DeMbare from 2011 to 2014. 

“In my case, I thought we were winning the championship or at least we had good chances but decisions were made and I had to leave the team,” said Kaindu.

“When I left, I thought our positions in the two cup competitions would have also been a sign to show the direction we were headed to and the effort I had put in but people see differently.” 

Kaindu feels that this time, he has a strong squad that is capable of winning the championship. However, last season that same team had a massive 19-game unbeaten run before they crumbled to finish their campaign in fifth position. 

The coach feels that the team needs to continue working on their mental character to maintain the momentum. 

“When you start well then there is a need to guard against complacency and also to remain focused. 

“A lot happens along the season, but we should learn never to lose focus, which is largely what we are working on.