The Sunday Mail
FIRST, I’d like to pass my sincere apologies to former Black Rhinos deadly winger, Jimmy Mbewe, whom I omitted from the dazzling “Chauya Chipembere” squads of the 80s-90s decade in my column a fortnight ago.
It really beats me how I momentarily forgot about the gangling goal poacher whom I personally nicknamed “Live Wire” during his predatory reign in the army side’s most glorious days.
Mbewe is now involved in coaching the army side’s juniors.
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Where to now, Highlanders?
This is the burning question on most soccer fans’ lips as the country’s oldest team begins life without the colourful Zambian mentor, Kelvin “KK” Kaindu, who has eventually quit the Bulawayo giants a few days after a confusion-filled week.
Kaindu was the target of many a Bosso fans’ anger after the humiliating 1-3 Castle Lager Premiership loss to ZPC Kariba at Hartsfield last weekend.
That loss all but ended Highlanders’ quest for the league title after defending champions Dynamos opened up a wider seven-point gap between the two rivals following the latter’s narrow 1-0 triumph over a battling Shabanie Mine at Rufaro on the same afternoon.
But did “KK” really fail at Bosso?
Those who are still wielding their sharpened spears at him amongst Amahlolanyama’s fans say: Oh yes, he failed, big time!
They argue that his biggest failure was his inability to dismantle the DeMbare hoodoo that has now stretched its invincibility to a staggering eight years!
Since “KK” took over the reins at Highlanders in 2012, he played Dynamos in a total of 11 matches and lost eight and drew three.
Not good enough, those detractors claim because the Blue Army is the No. 1 enemy.
They also claim that the Zambian gaffer used to deploy a “Mr-Know-It-All” temperament, where he completely shut out suggestions and advice from the club’s stakeholders, including former players.
They are also claiming he was a poor tactician who could not match the tactics of the likes of Dynamos’ Kallisto Pasuwa, Harare City’s Masimba Dinyero and Black Rhinos’ Jostein Mathuthu.
But those fighting in Kaindu’s corner say it was the wrong decision and time to part ways with him because mathematically, they persist, Highlanders are STILL in the championship race!
If Kaindu’s predecessors like Reuben Tsengwa, Madinda Ndlovu, Philani Mabhena and Mkhupali Masuku also failed to beat Dynamos, what then makes Kaindu the abominable devil, his supporters are asking.
They are also pointing at his “incredible” statistics since he took charge: Played — 84 games; WON — 46 games; DREW — 24 games; LOST — 14 games which amounts to a winning average of 55 percent.
Kaindu also set a club record of a 23-match unbeaten streak in 2013, a feat that will take quite a beating.
His backers also still marvel at his non-belief in “juju” and bold Christian values.
These two camps will continue to pummel each other inside the Bosso ring with their pugilistic taunts long after Kaindu’s departure but one thing that a lot of the club’s stakeholders are failing to admit is their deviation from their junior policy development.
This remarkable initiative was formulated by former Bosso coach and ex-Aberdeen’s and Scotland’s national team ‘keeper, Bobby Clark, who arrived at Highlanders in 1983.
Clark set in motion a delectable conveyor belt that churned out gems like the Ndlovu brothers (Madinda, Adam and Peter), Willard Mashinkila-Kumalo, Sydney Zimunya, Mandla Balanda, Dumisani Ngulube, Thulani Ncube, Abaham Mbambo, Cleopas Dhlodhlo and many others. That process was admirably continued by the hard-working Ali “Baba” Dube.
There was no club in the country that had a resounding junior policy like Bosso’s. But over the years, they seemed to have followed the journey of other clubs — to whip out the cheque book and sign players who didn’t come through their grinding mill.
It was this junior policy’s trait that gave birth to a unique Highlanders culture that had a majority of the club’s local products but still managed to infuse a few players from outside Bulawayo; a process which perpetuated a remarkable black-and-white syndrome which went on to conquer its football adversaries in and outside the country.
Love him or hate him, Kelvin Kaindu’s name will always be mentioned every time the Highlanders oratory is being expounded by all those who claim to be “Bosso For Life!”
Till next time, remember to take care of your loved ones and each other. It’s bye bye for now.
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