Sakheleni Nxumalo
Guest Writer
ONE question that I asked my fellow sports journalists after news broke that Kelvin Kaindu was on his way back to coach Highlanders Football Club was “how did the Bosso leadership come to a decision to re-engage the Zambian coach?”
It boggled my mind really.
In fact, it made no sense to me.
This is a man whose football coaching career had stagnated and was at the time jobless in his native Zambia.
My argument was – and still is – that a club should engage the services of a coach who has done or is doing something that is either exceptional or dovetails with their playing culture.
For example, when Rahman Gumbo revived Bulawayo Wanderers back in the mid nineties and was making waves in the second division, the then Highlanders leadership quickly brought him back into the fold as Madinda Ndlovu’s assistant.
Gumbo took over in 1997 when Ndlovu quit and went on to lead the fabled Class of 98 to two league championships.
We have all heard about how Liverpool arrived at choosing Arne Slot as Jurgen Kloop’s successor.
It was not a knee jerk reaction but a lot of research and observation was done before the decision was taken.
That’s the reality of modern sport – it has become very scientific with things like data capture and analytics being the norm.
I like Kaindu as a person. Loved him as a player and I have a lasting memory of him nutmegging Dynamos defender Chamu Musanhu with a cheeky move reminiscent of Colombian dribbling wizard Faustino Asprilla one evening at Rufaro Stadium.
As a coach he is one of those coaches that I had no problem approaching for an interview because no matter the result, he is always one of the friendliest gaffers I have come across in two decades of covering football.
I cannot blame him for taking the job when Bosso came calling because it was not only an opportunity for him to get back to coaching but also an opportunity to fend for his family.
I fully agree with those that argue that KK was not the problem.
He is not the reason for Highlanders’ failure to compete.
I think it boils down to lack of visionary leadership.
Success can only be achieved through proper planning and execution of those plans.
Without a clear vision the BancABC sponsorship failed to turn around Bosso’s fortunes.
That should be a reference point to ponder for those that argue that Highlanders should have bought quality players for KK.
Buying success was tried and it failed.
For me, the issue of quality is subjective.
A player who is considered trash by one coach may turn out to be another coach’s trump card.
And a good example is Washington Navaya.
He was deemed excess baggage by Highlanders but has gone on to become one of the league’s outstanding performers since joining Tel One.
What matters is for a coach to have a clear vision of how he wants his team to play.
The issue of player quality then becomes a factor as he trains his team how he wants them to play.
Take note that I mentioned player quality and not quality players.
For, a coach with a plan can win things with players regarded by some as inferior.
It is true that money can help bring success but the dynamics just have got to be right.
There just has got to be a method to the madness.
A clear and shared vision.
The core of the team that went on to win four championships on the trot at the turn of the millennium was home grown.
Those that were brought in from outside the system were players from the lower divisions and they did not cost an arm and a leg.
In fact, there was a salary freeze that led to the purging of high earners like KK himself, Lewis Kutinyu and Austin Juwayeyi while senior players that included Lovemore Ncube and Methembe Ndlovu quit in a huff.
That move by the Roger Muhlwa led executive proved to be a master stroke as it laid the foundation for the dominance of the local game by Highlanders.
Those men came together and decided that for Bosso to shine they needed to do away with superstars and give a platform to upcoming players.
They came up with a plan and that plan bore fruit.
One can argue that the plan came apart when they started importing players again but that’s a story for another day.
Highlanders can only rise again if they come up with a plan to compete against the well sponsored teams that now dominate the local game.
Money should not be spent on buying expensive players but it should be used to lure resourceful coaches and visionary administrators.
Development football now requires coach educators.
Students of the game who clearly articulate what a particular drill seeks to accomplish.
People who will come up with a syllabus of the Bosso style of play.
I have heard people talk of playing the Highlanders way but without documentation of what that is then confusion will continue to reign supreme.
What makes it possible for a teenage Pedri to walk straight into the senior team at Barcelona is because the system of play is the same throughout the whole structure of the club.
One would expect the same situation to prevail at Highlanders were the official title of the head coach is that of technical manager.
That is not the reality though.
At one point during KK’s first stint I even asked him why he was not involved with the development sides at Highlanders and he cited a lack of resources as the major hindrance.
Without a clear template of what the Highlanders way is, there is bound to be some confusion when players move up to the senior team from the development ranks.
This is because coaches have different philosophies.
Finally, as the search is on for KK’s replacement, whoever is in charge of hiring coaches at Highlanders must appreciate that being the holder of a coaching certificate does not make one a head coach.
Some of them are trainers.
I will not mention names but over the years I have seen teams bringing in trainers as head coaches.
Some people can conduct very good training sessions with exciting drills but when it’s match day the lights go out.
They can’t read the game.
Then there are those that cannot put together a coherent drill but on match day will outthink the opponent and lead their team to victory.
Whoever comes in should therefore be allowed to bring their own back room staff comprising people with a skillset that will complement theirs.
I have a feeling a new coach may not be necessary though.
Try Ncube has been through the mill and may use this opportunity to prove himself.
I am rooting for him.
