Highlanders Football Club have put an end to speculation surrounding the restructuring of the technical department and appointed former striker Kelvin Kaindu as the new head coach.
Speaking at a Press conference yesterday, chairman Themba Ndlela said the Zambian national, who has been assistant at Zanaco in his native country, had signed a two-year deal with Bosso.
Ndlela said Kaindu was currently attached to Reading in England for a Football Association coaching course and will be joining Highlanders on January 15, where he will be assisted by Bekithemba “Super” Ndlovu as assistant player-coach with former midfielder Amin Soma-Phiri taking over as team manager.
Highlanders retained goalkeepers’ coach Tembo Chuma.
“We have resolved to put (in place) structures that are in tandem with the club’s policies and we have tried to put together a team in line with the club’s vision.
“There has been speculation going on and we would like to put that to rest.
“There are factors that we took into account besides qualification and want someone who is abreast with current developments in game systems.
“Our coach for the 2012-2013 season will be joining us from January 15,” Ndlela said.
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He also said the club had created a post for a director of coaching who will have 20% input in the senior team and concentrate on the academy.
Ndlela assured the Highlanders family the club would not experience previous problems of remunerating the expatriate coach as sponsors BancABC had made a commitment to paying the salaries for all technical staff from the juniors to the senior team, including senior players.
Highlanders last year endured a nasty dispute with former mentor Egyptian Mohamed Fathi over unpaid dues, which eventually spilled into the courts.
“We have confirmed a sponsorship deal running up to 2013 with BancABC and they will take care of the technical team that also includes the academy coaches.
The coaches and the players are secure up to the end of 2013 as long as we are within our budget. We will not get to the same situation where we owe coaches money,” Ndlela said.
Ndlela said they had decided not to renew Mkhuphali “Mr Cooper” Masuku’s contract, which ends on December 31 because of poor performance and failure to adhere to the club’s policy on juniors.
Highlanders retained their staff medical staff of Xolani Ndlovu and his assistant Loyal Nyika.
