WINNING a league title is the ultimate target for any Premier Soccer League coach, especially when they are coaching Highlanders, Dynamos, Caps United or FC Platinum. SUKOLUHLE MTHETHWA SPORTS REPORTER
Kelvin Kaindu has failed to achieve that in two seasons at Highlanders, finishing secondbest on goal difference on both occasions.
Kaindu was appointed at the end of 2011 season after the club’s dismal finish under Mkhuphali Masuku who had assumed head coach status from Egyptian national Mohamed Fathi.
He won the Independence Trophy against Dynamos — the same team that Kaindu has failed to beat in 10 matches.
Southern Eye Sport looks at the performance of the club under the Zambian coach. Below are observations: In the first three games as Highlanders head coach in 2012, Bosso dismantled Blue Rangers 4-0, beat Hardbody 5-3 and thumped Monomotapa 3-0.
Bosso recorded 1-0 victories over Caps United, Hwange, Gunners, Shabanie Mine, Black Mambas, Buffaloes and FC Platinum respectively.
The Kaindu-coached side recorded their biggest win of the season when they put up a splendid performance walloping former top-flight league side Quelaton 7-1 before they collected another three points from a 2-1 victory over Motor Action and Caps United by the same margin.
In 2012, Bosso dropped six points at home after drawing 1-1 with Dynamos and Harare City respectively and a goalless draw with city neighbours Chicken Inn.
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The Bulawayo side dropped 12 points after drawing 1-1 with Buffaloes, playing a goalless draw with Motor Action, drawing 1-1 with Quelaton, drew 0-0 with Harare City and playing one-all draws with Chicken Inn and Dynamos, away respectively.
They shared the spoils after drawing 1-1 with Dynamos away that year.
Bosso’s set a new record as they went on to 23 games unbeaten until they lost 0-3 to Monomotapa their first and last league defeat that season.
In 2012, Bosso won 20 matches, drew nine and lost one while Dynamos won the championship after winning 21, drawing six matches and losing three.
Highlanders were booted out of the lucrative Mbada Diamonds Cup losing 2-3 by Monomotapa at the Colliery Stadium in 2012.
Last year, Bosso started the league campaign in Zvishavane where they beat Shabanie Mine 2-0 and then Triangle 2-1.
Kaindu and his charges went on to beat Triple B 3-2 in a match that was played at Mandava Stadium, beating Monomotapa United 5-2 before dismissing Hwange 1-0 at the Colliery Stadium.
Bosso went on to beat Caps United 2-1, Black Mambas 1-0 and registered another victory, winning 3-0 against Black Rhinos.
In away games, Bosso dropped 12 points after they drew with Dynamos 1-1 and played a goalless draw with FC Platinum. They were held to 1-1 draws by Chicken Inn, Buffaloes and Motor Action.
Highlanders’ first defeat of the season came on the fourth week when they lost 0-1 to Motor Action.
Bosso collected five points in away games as they drew 1-1 with Dynamos, Chicken Inn, Buffaloes and Motor Action respectively while they played a one-all draw with Dynamos.
Bosso were inconsistent as they did not go more than three games unbeaten.
At Barbourfields Stadium, Bosso beat Harare City 2-0, got the better of Black Rhinos winning 3-1 before they thumped Buffaloes 3-0. They went on to beat Black Mambas 2-1 and won 1-0 over Hwange.
They beat Monomotapa 2-0 before they collected another full set of points winning 2-1 against FC Platinum.
Bosso walloped Triple B 4-1 at home, beat Triangle 1-0 before the Kaindu-coached side grabbed maximum points following a 3-1 victory over Shabanie Mine.
At home, Bosso dropped nine points after they lost to Motor Action, How Mine and Chicken Inn. Bosso had earlier lost 1-2 to How Mine at Barbourfields.
Their only draw at home was a goalless one with Caps United.
Highlanders suffered their biggest loss when they were walloped 0-4 by Harare City, a result which virtually cost them the title.
The defeat was their biggest since Kaindu joined the club.
However, Kaindu was away attending a Uefa B Licence coaching course in the United Kingdom.
Their cup performance was nothing to write home about, but they stunned all and sundry when they won the Mbada Diamonds Cup beating How Mine 3-0 at Barbourfields Stadium.
This was Kaindu’s first major triumph since appointment.
This season home games have given them 18 points from six wins. Bosso won 4-1 against Shabanie Mine, thumped Caps United 4-0, won 1-0 against Harare City and beat army side Black Rhinos 3-1.
They collected maximum points in the 4-2 victory over Bantu Rovers and 1-0 win against Triangle. They collected four points from home games from Hwange, FC Platinum, How Mine and Buffaloes draws.
In away games, Highlanders dropped 10 points.
In the season opening match they were held to a goalless draw by Chapungu, were held 0-0 by Bantu Rovers, shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw with the Chicken Inn, ZPC Kariba and Triangle respectively.
Last Sunday, Highlanders suffered their biggest league loss this year as they went down 1-3 to ZPC Kariba in a match that led to violent skirmishes.
