Kaindu gears up for new season

Innocent Kurira-Zimpapers Sports Hub

HIGHLANDERS has begun their pre-season preparations with renewed optimism, as coach Kelvin Kaindu seeks to rebuild a formidable squad capable of ending the team’s 18-year championship drought. 

The pre-season training programme is already in full swing, with the team focusing on building their endurance and strength. 

According to Kaindu, the team’s fitness levels are a top priority. 

“Our main objective in this pre-season programme is players conditioning and mental fitness for the coming season and team cohesion. 

“In terms of player fitness and injury prevention, we had a programme during the off-season that almost everyone was following. In our first days of training, we will check which players did the right thing and see how the squad fitness levels are,” said Kaindu. 

Kaindu is prepared to rebuild, as a number of players have left during the off-season, including the quartet of Peter Mudhuwa, Godfrey Makaruse, Lynoth Chikuhwa, and Marvellous Chigumira, who have since been unveiled at Premiership newcomers Scottland. 

“We are doing our best to find replacements and hope to lay a strong foundation for the season. It’s not going to be easy, but we’ll trust the project,” said Kaindu. 

The club leadership has thrown their weight behind the coach, and now it is up to him to deliver. 

Besides the departures, the Bosso leadership says they have sealed deals with some of the players on Kaindu’s wish-list while they are still in positive talks with some of the players. 

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 and finish sixth on the table. 

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) is likely to hold its annual general meeting next month, before the 2025 season kicks off in March. 

Most clubs are pushing to conclude player transfers early, so as to be ready when the league kicks off. 

The Castle Challenge Cup, pitting Chibuku Super Cup champions Dynamos against league champions Simba Bhora, will kick-start proceedings for the new season.