New Highlanders coach Zambian Kelvin Kaindu is expected in Bulawayo tomorrow.
He will join training camp next week in preparation for the 2012 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.
Kaindu, a former Highlanders striker, was unveiled as the new head coach in absentia on December 13 at a press conference by chairman Themba Ndlela in the presence of other executive committee members, vice-chairman Sikhanyiso Moyo, secretary Andrew Tapela and treasurer Odiel Mandla Nkomo.
Ndlela yesterday confirmed that the Zambian national would be arriving in the country tomorrow.
Those dates have not changed. As we announced at the Press conference, the coach will be arriving on Sunday (tomorrow) and start with the boys next week, Ndlela said.
Kaindu, an assistant coach with crack Zambian side Zanaco, had been on FA coaching attachment with English side Reading, which ended on January 11.
However, media reports in his native country said Zanaco, which parted ways with coach Wedson Nyirenda and hired former Dynamos gaffer Keagan Mumba, were keen on keeping Kaindu as their assistant coach.
Mumba said he will maintain assistant coaches Numba Mumamba and Kelvin Kaindu. Kaindu, however, is tipped to take over as Zimbabwean side Bulawayo Highlanders coach, reported Zambianfootballd.net on January 6.
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However, soon after the pronouncement by Ndlela on December 13, Kaindu acknowledged the appointment to this reporter via e-mail.
Highlanders started preparations for the 2012 season under player/assistant coach Bekithemba Super Ndlovu on Monday at the teams clubhouse and shifted to Luveve Stadium during the week.
The Bulawayo football giants appointed former midfielder Amin Soma-Phiri, who owns Division Two side Luveve Big XI, as team manager taking over from Jerry Sibanda, who is reportedly eyeing the post of executive secretary in the upcoming elections.
Tembo Chuma was retained as goalkeepers coach. 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.
BancABC are also the sponsors of Dynamos and Black Mambas.
Bosso decided not to renew Mkhuphali Mr Cooper Masukus contract, which ended on December 31 because of poor performance and failure to adhere to the clubs policy on juniors.
Mr Cooper, who won the 2011 Independence Trophy, but finished seventh in the log standings, has been linked to FC Platinum to assist Rahman Gumbo.
A number of players including former captains Zephaniah Ngodzo and Gilbert Banda have crossed the floor to FC Platinum. Masuku and Banda played under Gumbo when he was coach at Highlanders.
The arrival of Kaindu will temporarily shift attention from the February 5 elections where Ndlela is likely to be challenged by businessmen Mandla Moyo and former secretary Peter Dube.
Ndlela, under pressure from the clubs membership after a terrible 2011 season, but still with the support of influential social club Amavevane, will present the chairmans report at the annual general meeting on January 29 before elections a week later.
