Kaindu feels the heat

HIGHLANDERS FC coach Kelvin Kaindu came short of admitting that he is feeling the heat as he made a passionate appeal to the club's followers to rally behind his squad during the hard times that they are facing.

The Zambian expatriate came to the defence of his ageing skipper Innocent Mapuranga who some supporters want relieved of his duties as captain.

The last Sunday 1-0 defeat to Dynamos has been a bitter pill to swallow for some supporters but Kaindu yesterday said he was confident they will bounce back. He however said the team needs the fans' support.

Highlanders take on Black Rhinos at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.

"When things seem to be hard it is important to have our fans giving us support. It gets disturbing that after one defeat we get divided with certain sections talking ill about players like Inno (Mapuranga) who has always been committed to the cause of the club. Instead of being torn apart, we need the support of the followers. We have seen them rally behind the club before and it is their backing that drives the squad," said Kaindu.

In the last weeks, Highlanders' performance which has seen them recording six draws after 12 weeks of action has been under scrutiny as supporters fear a repeat of the last two seaons when the team lost the championship by a whisker. In 2012 and 2013 Dynamos beat Bosso to the championship after having a superior goal difference having been tied on points and it is the number of draws that contributed immensely to Highlanders' loss.

After 12 rounds of league matches, Highlanders have only lost once but are sitting on position four behind Hwange, How Mine and Dynamos who have more defeats than them. How Mine and Hwange have each lost twice and played four draws with the rest being wins.

Defending champions DeMbare only have one draw, four defeats, and seven wins and are tied on 22 points with Hwange and How Mine, just a point above Bosso.

Disappointed that their 11-match unbeaten run was put to a halt by Dynamos, Kaindu during the week said the defeat to Dynamos was a wake up call for his side.

"I am disappointed because we had prepared for the game with the view of winning but what hurts is that our first loss came at the hands of our perennial rivals. This is not very good at all and I think this is a wake up call for us. This defeat threatens our championship aspirations but we mustn't lose hope as we need to bounce back from this result and fight on," Kaindu said.

Yesterday the Zambian gaffer, a holder of a high-level Uefa coaching certificate, said his charges are raring to go with Mthulisi Maphosa who has been sidelined by injury getting better.

"Everyone is ready for the game and there are lots of improvements at training. Hopefully on Sunday we will see an improved performance," Kaindu said.

Black Rhinos are in the relegation zone and after last weekend's 1-1 draw with Triangle they will want to either draw or beat Highlanders.

A draw for Bosso at Barbourfields Stadium is as good as a loss.

In other league matches, Dynamos will be at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow for a date with resurgent Chicken Inn who have found their rhythm while Bantu Rovers have a tricky tie when they take on FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium.

Hwange and How Mine are on the road to Caps United and Triangle respectively on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the VIP wing towards the Mpilo End at Barbourfields Stadium has been closed as renovations for the December Region Five Under-20 Games have started.

Fixtures

Tomorrow: FC Platinum v Bantu Rovers (Mandava, 3PM SuperSport 9), ZPC Kariba v Chiredzi (Gwanzura), Harare City v Shabanie Mine (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Dynamos (Barbourfields Stadium)

Sunday: Triangle United v How Mine (Gibbo, 1PM SuperSport9), Highlanders v Black Rhinos (Barbourfields), Buffaloes v Chapungu (Sakubva), Caps United v Hwange (National Sports Stadium)