Sports / Local
Kaindu defends Mahachi
08 Apr 2014 at 08:36hrs | Views
Highlanders coach Kevin Kaindu has sprung to the defence of his off form midfielder, Kudakwashe Mahachi, following an indifferent start to the season.
Mahachi, who was one of Zimbabwe's best players at the Orange African Nations Championship (Chan), earlier this year has failed to scale the same heights since joining Bosso leaving fans to question whether he was a good acquisition.
Mahachi was the fall guy when Bosso lost out to FC Platinum in the Uhuru Cup semi-finals when he missed from the spot in the penalty shoot-out and he followed that with a below par performance against Chapungu in the opening match of the season at Ascot Stadium over the weekend.
However, Kaindu believes the former Chicken Inn midfielder and 2013 Soccer Star of the Year finalist will pick up the pieces and shine for the Bulawayo giants, calling on Highlanders fans to give him time to adjust to his new club.
"Mahachi is no doubt a good player. It's only that people are expecting too much from him after seeing what he did in South Africa. Just give him time, he will show people what he is made of. He is not an ordinary player, but it's only that there is too much pressure on him to perform," said Kaindu.
Highlanders, who had won their last two season openers under Kaindu, failed to sparkle against Chapungu on Sunday with star player, Mahachi's body language showing that he was under immense pressure to prove a point.
However, it was not only Mahachi who failed to click for Bosso as another new acquisition, Charles Sibanda had a subdued game with Milton ‘Milito' Ncube being the only player who showed the zeal to win.
Highlanders raised their game after the introduction of Peter ‘Rio' Moyo for Mthulisi Maphosa and Cleopas Dube for Gabriel Nyoni.
Moyo started spraying passes from the midfield with Dube holding up the ball well and winning the aerial duels though ultimately, they were unable to breach the Chapungu backline.
Highlanders were among the busiest clubs on the transfer market during the off-season, bringing in star players that include former Soccer Star of the Year Sibanda, Rahman Kutsaira and Felix Chindungwe.
And expectations were high that they were going to be one of the standout sides this season, but the team is yet to scale dizzy heights in the matches they have played so far in the Bob90 Super Cup, CG Msipa Charity Cup, Uhuru Cup semi-finals and last Sunday's league encounter against Chapungu.
In all those matches, their strikeforce, which appears lightweight following the off-season departure of one of their top goalscorers from last year, Njabulo Ncube, has failed to
shine, a situation that should concern the 2006 league champions who have lost out on the title on goal difference in the last two years.
Mahachi, who was one of Zimbabwe's best players at the Orange African Nations Championship (Chan), earlier this year has failed to scale the same heights since joining Bosso leaving fans to question whether he was a good acquisition.
Mahachi was the fall guy when Bosso lost out to FC Platinum in the Uhuru Cup semi-finals when he missed from the spot in the penalty shoot-out and he followed that with a below par performance against Chapungu in the opening match of the season at Ascot Stadium over the weekend.
However, Kaindu believes the former Chicken Inn midfielder and 2013 Soccer Star of the Year finalist will pick up the pieces and shine for the Bulawayo giants, calling on Highlanders fans to give him time to adjust to his new club.
"Mahachi is no doubt a good player. It's only that people are expecting too much from him after seeing what he did in South Africa. Just give him time, he will show people what he is made of. He is not an ordinary player, but it's only that there is too much pressure on him to perform," said Kaindu.
Highlanders, who had won their last two season openers under Kaindu, failed to sparkle against Chapungu on Sunday with star player, Mahachi's body language showing that he was under immense pressure to prove a point.
However, it was not only Mahachi who failed to click for Bosso as another new acquisition, Charles Sibanda had a subdued game with Milton ‘Milito' Ncube being the only player who showed the zeal to win.
Highlanders raised their game after the introduction of Peter ‘Rio' Moyo for Mthulisi Maphosa and Cleopas Dube for Gabriel Nyoni.
Moyo started spraying passes from the midfield with Dube holding up the ball well and winning the aerial duels though ultimately, they were unable to breach the Chapungu backline.
Highlanders were among the busiest clubs on the transfer market during the off-season, bringing in star players that include former Soccer Star of the Year Sibanda, Rahman Kutsaira and Felix Chindungwe.
And expectations were high that they were going to be one of the standout sides this season, but the team is yet to scale dizzy heights in the matches they have played so far in the Bob90 Super Cup, CG Msipa Charity Cup, Uhuru Cup semi-finals and last Sunday's league encounter against Chapungu.
In all those matches, their strikeforce, which appears lightweight following the off-season departure of one of their top goalscorers from last year, Njabulo Ncube, has failed to
shine, a situation that should concern the 2006 league champions who have lost out on the title on goal difference in the last two years.
Source - Zim Mail
