HIGHLANDERS chairman Peter Dube says they will only worry about head coach Kelvin Kaindu after his contract with the Bulawayo football giants expires at the end of next year, rubbishing reports that the Zambian national will be leaving the club. FORTUNE MBELE SPORTS REPORTER
Kaindu was reported to be leaving Bosso to take up a job with the Zambian Under-23 side, but Dube yesterday scoffed at the idea, saying Under-23s played tournaments periodically and if the Zambian gaffer were asked to come and take charge of his country’s side, he would be allowed by Bosso.
“I personally have not spoken to him since he came back from Zambia, but he arrived on Thursday night. We have our own coaches Cooper (Mkhuphali Masuku), Mandla (Mpofu) and (Kalisto) Pasuwa who are attached to the national teams, but they have their own clubs. But if it becomes Kaindu it becomes big news and that he is abandoning Highlanders. That is not substantiated. Kaindu is a Zambian national and if he is called up for national duty what will stop him?” Dube said.
Kaindu arrived back in the country on Thursday night after he left on Tuesday for Zambia where he had gone to sort out visa issues for his last trip to the UK next month. He will be in charge of Highlanders when they take on Hwange at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon.
He is due to graduate with a Uefa B Licence badge next month.
“Haven’t we got a contract with him? We can only worry about Kaindu after his contract has expired on whether to re-engage him or not. He went to Zambia during the week because his visa to the United Kingdom had expired and he had gone to sort that out,” Dube said.
Dube refuted speculation that Kaindu had gone to Zambia to sort out a work permit in the country which had expired saying his papers are in order.
“We have always been honest about the coach and told you when he is leaving and when he will be coming back. He might have his shortcomings like everybody else but he (Kaindu) is a humble and disciplined young man. Ever since he came, I think he has fared well.
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“If he goes out of the country to learn, those that are around him should also learn a lot from him. If he is leaving then I will be shocked as well,” Dube said.
Kaindu yesterday said he was not aware of anything about him taking up a job in Zambia.
“I am not aware of that. I will talk about it next week after I meet my bosses,” Kaindu said.
The Zambian Under-23 side is coached by Hector Chilombo, who is assisted by former Hwange and FC Platinum gaffer Tennant Chilumba who is now at Zambian champions Power Dynamos.
