HIGHLANDERS’ home defeat to Herentals might have dented the Bulawayo giants’ chances to win the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title and coach Kelvin Kaindu believes it is lack of mental fitness.
On Sunday, Herentals won their first match against Highlanders since they were promoted to the top league in 2018.
With the defeat, Highlanders are now 12 points behind log leaders Simba Bhora.
It is becoming increasingly difficult for Bosso to keep up the fight.
The loss to Herentals follows two draws at Barbourfields Stadium against Chicken Inn and TelOne.
Preceding that was another defeat to Simba Bhora.
In seven games, Highlanders have only beaten Bulawayo Chiefs and Chegutu Pirates, collecting 10 points from a possible 21.
Kaindu conceded the uphill task as they dropped to position four on the log table
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“It becomes a bit difficult. If we had won, it would have given us a bit confidence, but football being football, you cannot win the league when you have not won it,” he said.
“There are still a few games, anything can happen in football. Nobody expected us to lose today [Sunday].”
The Zambian mentor said Herentals employed dirty time-wasting tactics and also said injuries in his camp continue to haunt him.
However, many of the Highlanders fans questioned why influential defender Peter Muduhwa came in from the bench and was brought in in the second half when the damage had already been inflicted.
Of late, the fans have also asked about the whereabouts of Andrew Mbeba, who is believed to have fallen out with gaffer.
Mbeba is, however, on national duty with the Warriors in Uganda.
In central defence, Kaindu had Arthur Ndlovu and Brian Mlotshwa and the captain was right-back Marvelous Chigumira.
Kaindu said his side’s mental fitness needs to improve.
“It is mental fitness that we need to work on, especially when we are playing at home. We need to build our confidence. Most of the opponents that come will try to frustrate us.”
