The Sunday Mail
KELVIN KAINDU and his unbeaten Triangle have gone about business quietly but effectively so far this season, but this afternoon’s visit of Caps United puts the Lowveld side firmly in the spotlight.
Triangle’s storming start has been one of the leading story lines of the 2015 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.
Caps United’s never ending financial troubles have also hogged the limelight and coach Mark Harrison admits it is getting difficult to motivate the players.
“It is not easy motivating the players in these circumstances, it makes my life difficult, but we have to do it for our fans.
“The players have also been fantastic, pushing themselves in the harsh conditions. What we have most at Caps is unity, we stick together and understand each other’s problems,” said Harrison who hinted that chief striker Rodreck Mutuma could be back in the starting line-up after warming the bench in last week’s Harare Derby stalemate.
Money is not an issue at bubbling Triangle. The sugar cane growers are unbeaten, have banged 10 goals, topped the log standings with as many points going into Match Day Five.
Triangle are singing a different tune under the astute leadership of Kaindu, who has rejuvenated the “Sugar Sugar Boys”. Their attacking trio of Pascal Manhanga, Hillary Bakacheza and Richard Kawondera (two goals each) is currently the best in the domestic league.
“My philosophy is all about attacking and that is why we have been able to score many goals from different sources. It is also the grace of God sweeping through the Lowveld that has seen us have this kind of start. But I must emphasise, it is still too early to get excited and, like I said, before accepting this job, the main worry is to avoid the issue of relegation.
“The game against Caps United on Sunday (today) is a real test indeed, they are one of the title contenders and fans are in for a good game,” said Kaindu whose team will be missing the services of Young Warriors players Malvin Gaki and Praise Tonha.
Caps United travel to Gibbo without influential left back Ronald Pfumbidzai who is also away on Young Warriors duty.
The Triangle/Caps United clash takes place on a day that has Premiership action strewn across the major football centres of Harare, Bulawayo and Gweru.
Champions Dynamos, also unbeaten and enjoying their best start to a season in over 15 years, will be seeking to reclaim top spot when they host Flame Lily at Gwanzura. Highlanders are under pressure to beat troubled Chapungu at Barbourfields.
John Nyikadzino could become the first coach to be sacked this season after leading the airmen to a horror start.
Chapungu are rooted at the bottom with a single point from three matches and having failed to find the back of the net in over 270 minutes of play.
The battle of newcomers Whawha and Tsholotsho FC at Ascot spices up the day while Hwange’s defensive frailties are once again the talking point as Chipangano entertain equally burdened Buffaloes at the Colliery.
Chipangano, who are on two points, haven’t had the best of starts and with no win in four outings, coach Nation Dube must be feeling the heat.
Hwange’s defence line of David Boriwondo, Munyaradzi Mungadze, Tonisani Sibelo and Gerald Ndlovu is the worst in the league so far, having shipped 10 goals in four matches. While Kaindu is singing a melodious tune, his former club Bosso are singing the blues.
Bosso’s impotent strike force has come under huge criticism, but gaffer Bongani Mafu defends his side’s poor form.
Highlanders are on six points having scored just two goals through defenders Teenage Hadebe and Webster Chingodza.
Their strikers Gabriel Nyoni, Obadiah Tarumbwa and teenage sensation Thomas Chideu are each yet to open their accounts four matches into the season.
“It is still too early to really judge the performance of the team. What does it help to have such a flattering start to the season and by the end of the year there is no league title to talk about?
“I want my team to improve, but I would rather have a great finish instead, having something tangible at the end,” Mafu was quoted as saying midweek.
DeMbare have a similar headache, their strikers have also not come to the party and they have had to rely on the magic of Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo on two occasions. Only Simba Nhivi has found the target (once) as new signings Kelvin Bulaji and Dominic Chungwa continue to struggle.
