‘Firing Kaindu a blessing’

BY Ishemunyoro Chingwere

DYNAMOS coach Kallisto Pasuwa reckons Highlanders did his side a huge favour by firing Kelvin Kaindu at a time when the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title race is headed for a thrilling climax.

Both ZPC Kariba and Caps United are in the title mix with Dynamos, but the DeMbare gaffer says it is Bosso he feared most – before Kaindu’s unceremonious exit.

“For me, (Kaindu) was one coach I thought had what it takes to win the title because honestly it’s not easy to compete at the highest level for three years with an average side like Highlanders.

“His departure is an advantage for us because I know that the coach who comes in will need a few games to adjust the team to play the way he wants.

“Unfortunately there is no such luxury for them because there are only a few games to play,” said Pasuwa.

DeMbare will this afternoon travel to Sakubva for a tricky assignment against Moses “Bambo” Chunga’s Buffaloes battling to retain top position after ZPC Kariba yesterday (to be completed after today’s action.)

Pasuwa said last weekend’s NetOne OneWallet loss to Triangle has raised the level of seriousness in his camp and expects the defeat to inspire his charges to successfully defend their Premiership crown.

“There are some dark horses who are still in with a chance, Caps United and even Highlanders should not be counted out although I am not sure of their ability to cope without Kaindu because I thought he was doing well.

“It’s an interesting title race and we are geared for battle,” said the DeMbare gaffer who will be missing the injured trio of goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi, Devon Chafa and striker Fabrice Mbimba.

Defender Sydney Linyama has gone AWOL.

However, before dreaming of the title, Pasuwa has quite a job on his hands today against a thorny Buffaloes side which defied odds and collected three points in Harare in the reverse fixture courtesy of a 1-0 triumph.

Midfield hard man Tafadzwa Mombeshora has been in imperious form all season and might be a bother for Dynamos in the battle for midfield control.

Mombeshora is likely to get support from the duo of Admire Dzumbunu and Roy Mwenga while in attack the home side can count on Lloyd Katungumara.

Chunga says his charges are battle-ready.

“My boys are motivated and even those who had knocks attended training for the whole week and I am sure everybody is now ready for the match.

“The good thing about football is whoever will outscore the other will win the match so our target will be to outscore them,” said the DeMbare legend.

Fixtures (All matches scheduled to start at 3pm)

Buffaloes v Dynamos (Sakubva),

Caps United v Highlanders (NSS),

Shabanie v Chapungu (Maglas),

Hwange v How Mine(Colliery)

 

It’s do or die for Bosso

BY Langton Nyakwenda

EMBATTLED Highlanders begin the post-Kelvin Kaindu era with a make or break grudge encounter with fellow title chasers Caps United at the National Sports Stadium in Harare this afternoon.

Mark Mathe, who deputised the departed Zambian gaffer, has been thrust into the hot seat at a time Bosso are in danger of being elbowed out of the title race with six rounds of games left.

A defeat to Makepekepe, whom they beat 4-0 at Barbourfields in the first leg, will all but end Tshilamoya’s interest in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League race.

Highlanders are winless in their last three outings and face a Caps United outfit that is not only thirsty for revenge but is also eager to stay in touch with the leading pair of ZPC Kariba and Dynamos.

Mathe admits that assuming charge at Bosso at this stage of the season is taxing and has asked his players to remain focused.

“The players are responding well to the changes that have taken place, they are professionals employed by Highlanders so they should continue with the task at hand.

“We have all agreed that the situation is not good and we need to start picking up points hence the need to pull in one direction. I am positive; everyone in the Bosso family has to believe,” said Mathe.

He said all players available for selection save for veteran striker Njabulo “JB” Ncube, who is nursing an ankle injury and Mthulisi Maphosa, who is embroiled in a domestic dispute. Coincidentally, it was Mathe who was in charge when Bosso hammered Makepekepe in the reverse fixture as Kaindu was attending a coaching course in the United Kingdom. Then, Bosso were scary: unbeaten in the league and looking like they would run away with the title.

But things have changed.

Tear-away winger Kudakwashe Mahachi, who tormented the green souls that afternoon, has since left, while top scorer Charles Sibanda has fizzled out and is reported to be contemplating leaving the club.

For Caps United coach Taurai Mangwiro, there might be no better time to meet Bosso.

However, Mangwiro has his own troubles and would not want to be fooled by the situation at Highlanders.

“I wouldn’t want to get any false sense of security from the goings-on at Highlanders. We can only fool ourselves by thinking that now that Kaindu is gone Bosso are weaker. It is not like all is well at Caps. Only two weeks ago fans wanted my head after that 0-0 draw with How Mine, so we need to beat Highlanders so that we do not see a repeat of those scenes.

“I could have also gone the Kaindu way had the club succumbed to pressure from the fans,” said Mangwiro, who misses Malawian centreback George Nyirenda through suspension though the return of steely defender Steven Makatuka and Gerald Phiri should ease his worries.

When the two giants clashed in a league match at the same venue last year, Caps United emerged 2-1 victors, courtesy of goals by Dominic Chungwa and Leonard Fiyado while Bosso replied through Milton Ncube.

“In football we do not rely much on records, bygones are bygones . . . Bosso beat us 4-0 the last time but a lot has changed since then, just as much as we can’t bask in the comfort that we also beat them 2-1 in Harare last year,” said Mangwiro.