All in order: Dube

Sport
HIGHLANDERS coach Kelvin Kaindu is expected in the country in early February to take over preparations for the 2014 Premier Soccer League season.

HIGHLANDERS coach Kelvin Kaindu is expected in the country in early February to take over preparations for the 2014 Premier Soccer League season, club chairman Peter Dube has said.

SUKOLUHLE MTHETHWA SPORTS REPORTER

Bosso started their pre-season training last Monday, but have been without head coach Kaindu who is in Zambia attending a Caf A coaching course.

“Kaindu is scheduled to join us in the first week of February, but I don’t have the dates because it will all depend on his flights as he will also go to the United Kingdom for a coaching course.

“We are happy with what has been going on during his absence. We will have confidence if our system doesn’t collapse in his absence. When companies send their employees to courses there will be gaps. But we know that in the long run we will benefit. We had to put our heads together to come up with that decision,” he said.

Dube said they were gearing up well for the season and the new players would help the team perform better.

“We are happy that we have got new acquisitions now. We are looking forward to having a better season. We have been quite competitive in the past two years, but failed at the last hurdle. We just hope to go a step further and break a few records. We are looking forward to the new season,” he said.

Instead of crying about the departure of Masimba Mambare and Njabulo Ncube to Dynamos and FC Platinum, Highlanders have quietly gone about their business bringing in Welcome Ndiweni, Valentine Ndaba and Khumbulani Banda.

The deal to bring in Joel Ngodzo is almost complete, although they face competition from Dynamos, How Mine and Chapungu. Charles Sibanda is expected to sign after the Chan finals in South Africa. Kaindu will be assisted by Mark Mathe while Bosso legend Peter “Oxo” Nkomo is now the goalkeepers coach.

In the absence of Kaindu, Mathe and Nkomo will be expected to prepare for the Bob 90 Super Cup against Dynamos, and Harare City before the Zambian gaffer joins the rest of the team.

The cup competition will be launched in Harare today while Bosso will also gear up for the NetOne Charity Shield which will be held on March 1. The season opening tournament will feature Bosso, Dynamos, Harare City and FC Platinum. Dube also said they plan to have a training camp before the season starts.

“Yes, we might go into a training camp. I cannot remember the last time Highlanders went into a training camp.

“Maybe a change of environment could up the stakes, but it may not be necessary. We are looking into the issue,” he said.

A source yesterday said Bosso would go either to Matopos or the state-of-the-art Entokozweni Safaris in Inyathi, which is owned by former national cricket team captain Heath Streak.