COULD the departure of Kelvin Kaindu have spelt disaster for Highlanders? FORTUNE MBELE SPORTS REPORTER
Kaindu parted ways with Bosso after a 1-3 defeat to ZPC Kariba at Hartsfield Rugby Grounds on September 28 and since then the Bulawayo giants have played two matches, conceded seven goals and failed to get a goal.
They lost 0-4 to Caps United in a league match on October 12 at the National Sports Stadium and on Sunday bowed out of the Chibuku Super Cup after losing to 0-3 in the semi-final to Harare City at Rufaro Stadium.
The capital has not favoured Bosso who have not won a single match — league and cup — in Harare this season.
And the second half of the season has not been healthier either for Highlanders who have only won two matches in the league, with three draws and four defeats.
When Kaindu left, the results had not been coming for Highlanders especially in the second half. His assistant Mark Mathe was thrust into the hot seat with an insurmountable task of regaining lost pride, but he was hammered 4-0 by Caps United in his first assignment as caretaker coach, forcing the Highlanders executive to go into panic mode and rope in veteran Cosmas “Tsano” Zulu as technical advisor with only five matches remaining and the league championship out of reach.
After the 3-0 hammering by Harare City, Bosso regroup for yet another tough assignment against Chicken Inn at Hartsfield. They suffered a number of casualties in the last few weeks, the latest being Bruce Kangwa and Erick Mudzingwa who pulled out on Sunday.
Zulu yesterday said he could not make any comment as yet as he had just come on board. Mathe’s only hope now is a top-four finish to participate in the Mbada Diamonds Cup.
“We started off well strategically and tactically yesterday (Sunday) and we dominated the first half until we conceded that goal which we could have avoided,” Mathe said.
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“Injury-inspired substitutions affected us as Bruce (Kangwa) had a gash on his head and the doctors said he would require some stitching. Erick (Mudzingwa) hit his right knee on the astro turf and he will be on crutches, I don’t know for how long he will be out.
“From there, Harare City clawed into the game. We had no fighting spirit and we failed to defend. No one likes losing, but what we have been singing to the boys is that we still have five league matches and 15 points to play for. They need to pick themselves up. We must pick up the points and at least take part in the Mbada Diamonds Cup.”
In the ZPC Kariba match, Highlanders lost defender Webster Chingodza to injury after he had fitted in well into the team on the right back.
Striker Njabulo “Tshiki” Ncube has also been out with an injury. After hosting Chicken Inn at the weekend, Highlanders travel to the Colliery for Hwange — another tall order for Mathe — before hosting Chiredzi and hitting the road to Zvishavane for Shabanie Mine who are fighting relegation.
They end the season at home against Chapungu, who held them to a goalless draw at Ascot Stadium in the first game of the season.
