NEWLY-ELECTED Highlanders chairman Peter Dube has ruled out a swansong return to the club by Willard Khumalo as coach, throwing his weight behind current boss Kelvin Kaindu.

Dube deposed Themba Ndlela in elections last Saturday, and immediately vowed that Highlanders' better days were ahead.

He told supporters: "I am not a liar and that is why I have stepped up to say I want to lead this great club to greater heights. For us to achieve this, we are going to need a collective effort.

"Amazwi awalandima (talking does not get the work done) and in my leadership we are going to strive to embrace everyone for the good of the club."

Zambian Kaindu's appointment was Ndlela's last major decision as club boss, and reports had suggested Dube would offer club legend, Khumalo, the job instead.

But he said on Tuesday: "My election means I have become a member of the Highlanders executive committee that decides and implements policies for the club. It should be noted that I am not coming to a Highlanders that was formed today, but a club that has been in existence for many years.

“I am bound by decisions made by the previous executive. I think we should wait until there is need for a review if any. Why should I change a coach when I haven't even met with the executive?"

In the elections Dube polled 184 votes against 143 for Ndlela 41 while Bulawayo businessman, Mandla Moyo, emerged a distant third with just 23 votes.

Andrew Tapela retained the executive secretary’s post after polling 153 votes, narrowly beating former team medic and manager Emmett Ndlovu by six votes.

Charles Moyo is the new executive committee member after polling 130 votes to beat Wisdom Mabhena who was a close second with 122 votes.