Cracks emerge within Highlanders FC

CRACKS have emerged among Highlanders FC players amid revelations that pre-season signings are being frustrated on the field of play.

Investigations by the Chronicle on why the team has been failing to strike consistency after signing a number of quality players revealed that old players at the club were not willing to play with the newcomers, resulting in them getting less of the ball during league matches.

The development also raises concerns on how the club recruited the players during the off-season in the absence of head coach Kelvin Kaindu who was on holiday in his native Zambia.

In fact, sources among Highlanders players allege that at one time Kaindu lost his cool at one of the team's training sessions and blurted out his frustrations with the new players whom he alleged were giving him a headache.

The Zambian expatriate is also alleged to have yelled "…if only Bhaka (Bhekimpilo Ncube) was here, where is coach Beke (Bekithemba Ndlovu?)" during one of his training sessions. Ncube's contract with Highlanders was not renewed after it expired at the end of last year and now plays for city neighbours Chicken Inn FC.

The technical team is said to have been against renewing it and that of many others like Heritein Masuku, Lawson Nkomo, Bobby Nkomo and Archie Katsande.

During their pre-season matches, Bosso struggled to gel and even their performance against Hwange in their league match on Sunday was below par save for a few moments of individual brilliance from national team winger Kudakwashe Mahachi who is on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa.

Mahachi is among the players that joined the club at the beginning of the year alongside Rahman Kutsanzira, Felix Chindungwe, Charles Sibanda, Khumbulani Banda, Valentine Ndaba, Welcome Ndiweni, Njabulo Nyoni and Joel Ngodzo.

On Sunday, most fans were not amused with the performance of Peter "Rio" Moyo, who replaced Mthulisi Maphosa just before halftime, as he opted to play long balls across the field instead of passing to an unmarked Valentine Ndaba who was close to him in most instances.

There were also times that Moyo delayed to pass the ball to Mahachi only to release it when the player was marked.

"What you saw on Sunday is just a tip of the iceberg. It has happened in almost all our matches and you wonder if we are all fighting for the same cause. We are not united at all because the other guys feel threatened by the presence of new players. The guys playing in central midfield most of the time sell a dummy as if they want to pass to you only to change to the other direction. It's really sad because the guys are letting their egos control them instead of putting the team first.

"We are all working for Highlanders but with such an attitude we won't get any results. What they seem to forget is that if we win we get bonuses and everyone will be happy. I believe the coaches have seen it happening during matches but then because the old guys are taking advantage of the fact that they know that the coach wasn't happy with some of the signings to frustrate the new players," said a source.

In the past, stories of players frustrating newcomers at a club, especially at Highlanders, were commonplace. Players with roots in Mzilikazi and Makokoba suburbs were the core of Bosso then.

Commentators said Kaindu needs to stamp his authority and emphasize on team spirit if he hopes to lead a united Highlanders which will challenge for honours.

Repeated efforts to get a comment from the Bosso coach were fruitless as his mobile phone went unanswered.

However, Highlanders' chairman Peter Dube said they are "unaware of the said divisions."

"I believe that everyone in the team is playing their part to make sure that this institution develops and grows from strength to strength. Surely why would the players sabotage each other when they stand to benefit more by winning. Personally, I haven't seen those trends that you are talking about because they played beautiful soccer in Gweru against Chapungu, passed the ball to each other and did the same when we beat Shabanie Mine and Chiredzi. Obviously when the team drops points people talk but such allegations are serious and damage the club. As the Highlanders family we strive to work together so that we get results," he said.

Kaindu was last night due to meet the club executive to clarify talk of him being involved with the Zambia Under-23 team next month.