Sports / Local
Masimba Mambare eyeing a move to Dynamos
26 Nov 2013 at 01:03hrs | Views
HIGHLANDERS coach Kelvin Kaindu has sprung to the defence of his want-away midfielder Masimba Mambare after he was booed during their 3-1 win over Shabanie Mine on Sunday.
Mambare is believed to be eyeing a move to Dynamos, although his agent is also rumoured to be engineering a big money move to South Africa. But before his expected departure, Kaindu wants Highlanders fans to back the player to the hilt when they clash with How Mine on Saturday for the $160 000 Mbada Diamonds Cup prize.
Mambare, who put in a below-par performance, was excoriated from the stands by Highlanders fans who were furious after the player changed his Facebook status to say "former Highlanders player".
Mambare, who is out of contract at Highlanders next month, was eventually withdrawn by Kaindu on 65 minutes after a torrid time from the home fans.
Kaindu is desperate to get his star in the right frame of mind ahead of Saturday's Mbada Diamonds Cup final against How Mine.
He told Chronicle: "Our supporters have been fantastic to us throughout the season, driving us all the way, but I think they are not fair to the players when they are down.
"Those boos make life on the pitch difficult for the whole team and if you look at Mambare, he is the same player that was once a darling of the fans a year ago and has been committing himself for the good of the club. To boo him is not okay. What the fans do (booing) makes life even more difficult for us as coaches because once you pull out that player who is having a bad day according to fans, you're killing his confidence."
Kaindu said he had to withdraw Mambare to keep the team focused on searching for goals in a desperate second half. Despite their win, they lost out on the Premier League title to Dynamos on goal difference.
"I understand the supporters' uneasiness but they have to think of the players as well and rally behind them even if they are out of form," said the Zambian expat.
"Even in Europe where there are big players, you find those guys going through a rough spell but it's fans who lift the players' morale."
Highlanders fans have not forgiven Mambare after his friends leaked his WhatsApp status which said: "Before I leave…" He also changed his Facebook profile to read: "Former Highlanders FC player 2012."
Mambare is believed to be eyeing a move to Dynamos, although his agent is also rumoured to be engineering a big money move to South Africa. But before his expected departure, Kaindu wants Highlanders fans to back the player to the hilt when they clash with How Mine on Saturday for the $160 000 Mbada Diamonds Cup prize.
Mambare, who put in a below-par performance, was excoriated from the stands by Highlanders fans who were furious after the player changed his Facebook status to say "former Highlanders player".
Mambare, who is out of contract at Highlanders next month, was eventually withdrawn by Kaindu on 65 minutes after a torrid time from the home fans.
Kaindu is desperate to get his star in the right frame of mind ahead of Saturday's Mbada Diamonds Cup final against How Mine.
"Those boos make life on the pitch difficult for the whole team and if you look at Mambare, he is the same player that was once a darling of the fans a year ago and has been committing himself for the good of the club. To boo him is not okay. What the fans do (booing) makes life even more difficult for us as coaches because once you pull out that player who is having a bad day according to fans, you're killing his confidence."
Kaindu said he had to withdraw Mambare to keep the team focused on searching for goals in a desperate second half. Despite their win, they lost out on the Premier League title to Dynamos on goal difference.
"I understand the supporters' uneasiness but they have to think of the players as well and rally behind them even if they are out of form," said the Zambian expat.
"Even in Europe where there are big players, you find those guys going through a rough spell but it's fans who lift the players' morale."
Highlanders fans have not forgiven Mambare after his friends leaked his WhatsApp status which said: "Before I leave…" He also changed his Facebook profile to read: "Former Highlanders FC player 2012."
Source - chronicle
