HARARE - Much is made of the ruthless and hostile climate football coaches now work under, and Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu yesterday found his future at the club being cast further in doubt.
Another lucklustre performance from Kaindu’s team has intensified calls for the Zambian’s reign to end. Highlanders’ title aspirations continued to evaporate, falling here to Harare City in a Bosso show lacking passion, character and resilience.
City triumphed courtesy of Francisco Zekumbawira’s first half strike but the result could have been more humiliating for Bosso had it not been for the heroics of goalkeeper Aerial Sibanda.
In defence, City were rock solid, ably marshalled by centre back David Kutyauripo who rekindled memories of his past form with some gutsy tackles that kept Bosso’s attackers at bay. The same cannot be said for Highlanders, who had no one stepping up to take responsibility or willing to put their body on the line for the team.
“We lacked character, I know my team when we want to win and I think we lacked that today,” Kaindu said after the match.
“It’s not good. I think we could have done better to come out with maximum points but there are still a few games to be played. I think if we fail to pick up points in a game like this it makes our lives difficult. But we need to pull ourselves and believe in ourselves to keep fighting.”
His opposite number, Masimba Dinyero, who yesterday received his coach of the month award for August, was full of praise for his team.
“Everyone was putting 110 percent. Everyone fought. We are just aiming for the top eight,” Dinyero said.
Zekumbawira scored after Osborne Mukuradare provided the assist with a through ball that was gratefully accepted by the inform forward.
The former Dynamos man looked a shade off-side as he received the ball, but with the assistant referee’s flag staying down, Zekumbawira charged down the middle before calmly chipping the onrushing Sibanda.
City could have doubled their lead moments later after the ball fell invitingly on Martin Vengesai on the edge of the six-yard-box.
However, the Sunshine Boys striker went for power instead of placement. The goal sprung Bosso out of their shell with Felix Chindungwe and Charles Sibanda being denied by a resolute City defence led by veteran Kutyauripo.
City kept piling on the pressure and Sibanda needed to be at his best to punch out William Manondo’s effort that was destined for the nets. The rebound fell kindly to Mukuradare, but the former Monomotapa striker somehow failed to find the target when a simple tap-in was all that was required.
Bosso came marginally close in the second half, but Kutyauripo and his line were not to throw away all the good work they had put.
TEAMS
Harare City: Maxwell Nyamupanedengu, Timire Mamvura, Munyaradzi Diro Nyenye,David Kutyauripo, Arnold Chaka, Raymond Uchena, James Jam, William Manondo (Tinotenda Kadewere, 68m), Osborne Mukuradare, Martin Vengesai, Francisco Zekumbawira.
Highlanders: Aerial Sibanda, Welcome Ndiweni, Erick Mudzingwa, Innocent Mapuranga, Bruce Kangwa, Hillary Madzivanyika, Felix Chindungwe, Joel Ngodzo, Rahman Kutsanzira (Valentine Ndaba, 62m), Gabriel Nyoni, Charles Sibanda