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Kelvin Kaindu

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
AS first reported by Chronicle Sport in December 2015, nomadic Zambian coach Kelvin Kaindu will officially start work as How Mine FC’s head coach today after getting his work permit on Friday.

Kaindu’s move to How Mine was delayed by outstanding contractual issues with his former employers Triangle United.

How Mine chairman Paul MacAndrew said they are excited that their new coach has now been cleared by the authorities.

Kaindu joins How Mine on a three-year contract, whose key result areas are pretty relaxed. The club is aiming at improving on their dreadful 2015 campaign this season and will only be challenging for top honours in 2017 and 2018.

“I’m happy to announce that everything regarding our coach Kaindu has been sorted out and he will start work tomorrow (today). We’re looking forward to having a long and fruitful three years with him. We intend to go places with our new coach. This season we’re rebuilding, but should opportunities come for us to challenge for trophies, we’ll take them,” said MacAndrew.

Kaindu replaces fellow nomad Luke Masomere, who was sacked last September following a string of poor results.

The gold miners started the 2015 season among the championship favourites, but went on to have an indifferent campaign that was punctuated by a 14-match winless streak in the last half of the season.

How Mine’s last victory was on May 12, 2015, when they beat Buffaloes 1-0.

Not even the firing of Masomere could save the miners from an awful season, as his replacements caretaker co-coaches Jeremiah Makota and Sheunesu Chaka could not save the miners from ruin.

Makota has been retained in the How Mine technical department as team manager, while Bekithemba “Super” Ndlovu is Kaindu’s assistant.

Goalkeepers’ trainer Themba Sibanda, whose contract had been terminated last month to make way for Tembo Chuma, has been re-engaged after the latter failed to work his way out of his Triangle United contract.

Kaindu said he is ready for the How Mine challenge.

“I think as a coach you’ve to be prepared for any challenge and the best thing to do is believe in yourself and trust in the Lord,” said Kaindu.

“As much as development is the foundation of any club, we’ve to effectively compete and I think there are good players at How Mine who can do the job. The depth is there and if the guys maintain discipline, then we can talk about something big at the end of the season.”

Kaindu also has an added responsibility of overseeing How Mine’s junior teams, which include their development side that will compete in the Zifa Bulawayo Metropolitan Province’s Division Two league, as well as the Under-14s, Under-16s and Under-18s.

How Mine offloaded about 13 senior players at the end of last season and among the casualties were Gilbert Banda, Benjamin Marere, Nyasha Mukumbi, Nefitary Ndale and goalkeeper Nonjabulo Dube.

Those that survived the axe include 2010 Soccer Star of the year Charles Sibanda and his striking partner Kuda Musharu, goalkeeper Donovan Bernard, defenders Nelson Tachi and Tapiwa Khumbuyani, midfielders Timothy January and Tawanda Muparati.