dyton mupawaendaCurtworth Masango
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu has expressed his excitement with a return to the helm of the club for the new season, following a frustrating season marked by numerous challenges.
They finished sixth, 18 points behind champions Simba Bhora in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
As the team prepares for the new season, they face the daunting task of ending their 18-year championship drought.
Kaindu’s first stint with Highlanders began in 2012, where he led the team to a 23-match unbeaten run, ultimately losing the title to Dynamos on goal difference.
He departed in 2014, only to return for the 2024 season.
In an interview with Zimpapers Sports Hub, Kaindu blamed the disappointing finish on suspensions, injuries, and conceding cheap goals.
“I was excited to be back at Highlanders after a long absence in the PSL.
“But our biggest set-backs was suspension of players on yellow cards, injuries, and maybe giving away cheap goals,” he said.
Looking forward, Kaindu is prepared to rebuild, as a number of players have left during the off-season, including the trio of Peter Muduwa, Lynoth Chikuhwa, and Marvellous Chigumira, who have since been unveiled at Premiership newcomers Scottland.
Kaindu also acknowledged the competitiveness of the league, praising the strong performance of other teams along-side traditional powerhouses over the years he has been in the country.
After parting ways with Highlanders, he went on to guide Triangle before jumping ship to How Mine, where he faced endless challenges before retreating back to Zambia.
Kaindu believes that in both stints he has been in the country, he has witnessed good competition. He believes that the fact that even the small teams can compete with the big teams.
“The competition was good; I saw other teams competing as well with the big teams.”
