The decision by Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League giants, Highlanders Football Club, to part ways with Zambian head coach Kelvin Kaindu has triggered mixed reactions among the club’s loyal supporters.
In an official statement released on Monday, the club confirmed Kaindu’s immediate departure after he led the team to five wins, eight draws, and four defeats—leaving Highlanders ninth on the table with 24 points.
First Assistant Coach Try Ncube has been appointed interim head coach, while Second Assistant Coach Agent Sawu and the rest of the technical bench will retain their positions.
“The changes have been necessitated by the recent streak of unsatisfactory results,” read the club’s statement.
However, the decision has divided opinion among fans on the club’s social media platforms, with some supporting the move while the majority question the timing and implications.
Fans Reactions
One fan, Mkhumbulo Mncube, likened the decision to replacing the driver of a faulty bus without fixing its mechanical problems. “It’s more like parting ways with a bus driver when the problem of that bus is the mechanic,” he wrote on the club’s official Facebook post.
Another supporter, Thandolwenkosi Ndlovu, questioned the logic of axing Kaindu alone while sparing the rest of the technical bench. “The best thing, if results were not coming, was to change the whole technical team… These guys started together, worked together for 17 games, sharing strategies and tactics. Then you only fire one? It doesn’t sound right. They all should have been suspended and replaced with a brand new team—that would have been fair,” he argued.
Charles Hunyenya offered a sarcastic take on the club’s leadership, saying, “Brito was wrong. Kaindu is wrong. But the executive is okay? Haa it’s okay, sizathula (we’ll keep quiet).”
On the financial side, concerns about breaching contractual obligations were raised by Marshal Takudzwa Gwemende, who stated, “Mumubhadhare… You can’t sack if you can’t pay up!”
Similarly, Malume Dhuvi warned the club not to forget Kaindu’s dues, saying, “Don’t forget to pay his dues, FIFA will come for you.”
Another fan, Individual Mudyawabikwa, called it a “bad decision,” warning the club might live to regret it.
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