D-Day for Kaindu

Sport
TO say Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu is under pressure could be the understatement of the year.

TO say Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu is under pressure could be the understatement of the year. FORTUNE MBELE SPORTS REPORTER

He is simply in a boiler room! Remember Dynamos coach Kalisto Pasuwa’s Blue October when he was thumped by Hwange and knocked out of the Mbada Diamonds Cup?

Well, Kaindu seems to be in a worse situation as he prepares his charges for the Mbada Diamonds Cup semi-final tie against Harare City at Mandava Stadium, Zvishavane, tomorrow.

The Bulawayo giants slipped on a banana peel last weekend during a 1-1 draw with Motor Action to further reduce their chances of winning the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title for the first time since 2006.

Now, their only chance for redemption could lie with cruising past City and making sure they lift the Mbada Diamonds Cup.

Bosso’s trophy shelves have gathered dust after they last won a league title in 2006 and lifted the Independence Trophy in 2011. But before his final training session with the team, the Zambian gaffer said football was always a pressure game.

Kaindu, who missed the Mighty Bulls game as he was on his way from the United Kingdom where he attended a Uefa B licence coaching course, said the better team would win tomorrow.

“The course was demanding, but it will definitely help the club. Saturday (tomorrow)’s game is going to be a good game. Harare City have been doing well and the better team of the day will win.

“Football is a pressure game, but we have done well to reach the semi-finals. Football has always been a pressure game especially when you lose games – all that is important is to know how to handle it. Our camp is good with a few minor injuries here and there. We will have our last full training this afternoon (yesterday),” Kaindu said.

Bosso welcome back Njabulo “Tshiki” Ncube, who missed the Motor Action match as he was serving a two-match suspension in the league after he was shown the red card in a league match against Dynamos two weeks ago.

With Beaven Chikaka injured, Master Masitara who scored against Motor Action might see himself featuring in the match with young Gabriel Nyoni.

Also available will be Mthulisi Maphosa, who came from the bench to inspire Bosso to a 3-0 win over Buffaloes in the quarter-finals of the competition.

City’s coach Bigboy Mawiwi said he had much respect for Kaindu, but lamented injuries affecting his side.

“It will be a very tough assignment especially with defender Crispen Dickson out injured. Witness Nyamutsaka was also stretchered off in the match against Black Rhinos while Crybert Muvuti is injured too. James Jam is not feeling well and he has not been training. It is terrible, but we have other replacements like Zibusiso Sibanda. We also have Tendai Ngulube. It will be a tough game, but we are motivated because last year we lost 0-3 to FC Platinum in the first round. We will be more than happy to progress to the final. We are preparing well and the fact that it is a money game motivates the players,” he said.

The Sunshine City Boys will have goalkeeper Maxwell Nyamupanedengu, William Manondo, Silas Songani, Godfrey Nguwodzawo, David Kutyauripo and Nathan Ziwini to bank on.

With Zvishavane generally a fun loving town and the gate charges pegged at $1, a full house is expected with the Highlanders roadshow hopefully rolling into the mining town from all corners of the country.