Online Reporter
Blessing Malinganiza
Zimpapers Sports Hub
BUSINESSMAN Shepherd Magodora Chahwanda is a “crazy man” when it comes to football.
He has a fiery passion for the game and his ambition, and huge financial investment, is transforming Hardrock into a club capable of winning silverware this season.
That is the view of the man he appointed to lead the executive of his club, Wellington Mupandare, the former Warriors team manager.
In recent weeks, the Kwekwe goldminers have boldly claimed that they are chasing the league championship after reducing Scottland’s lead at the top to two points.
At one stage, the lead was ten points, even though Hardrock had a game in hand.
The champions are the ones who now have a game in hand, which will increase their lead to five points, with eight games to play, should they win.
Both teams still have outstanding battles against third-placed Dynamos at Rufaro.
For the first time this season, Hardrock coach Kelvin Kaindu confirmed that winning the league championship was now a realistic target for his men.
The arrival of Prince Dube has transformed their attack and Washington Navaya is thriving again. They have also invested into the future by securing the signature of Mongameli Tshuma on a record-breaking US$200,000 deal.
The highly-rated midfielder will, however, only join Hardrock next season as his transfer was completed after the close of the transfer widow on Friday.
Now, their attention has turned to the knockout competitions.
Hardrock were drawn at home against Bulawayo Chiefs in the first round of the 2026 Chibuku Super Cup.
They will first host Kwekwe United in the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup in a derby at Chahwanda this weekend.
Mupandare said Chahwanda’s huge investment has enabled the club to assemble a quality squad capable of competing in the league, the Munhumutapa Cup and the Chibuku Super Cup.
“We have a soccer-crazy president.
“When it comes to football, he has invested a lot in the team,” said Mupandare.
“We have quality in the team and the reason we are building a quality side is that we want to compete at the highest level.
“Next season, we will be playing to win everything that comes our way.
“This season is more of a learning curve as we assess combinations.
“It is also a learning curve for everyone, the executives, players and coaches but we still expect to do well because we have already done well.
“We want to continue on that trajectory and win every game we play.”
Mupandare says Cup games are tricky assignments.
Hardrock won the teams’ first league meeting 2-0 at Luveve in May.
“Cup games are very tricky, especially against a team like Bulawayo Chiefs.
“We have seen how they have played away from home, including against some of the top teams.
“We beat them in Bulawayo and they still have to play us at Chahwanda Stadium in the league.
“We are now going to face them twice at our home ground, so it is not going to be easy.
“You have seen in the big leagues how big teams can be knocked out by so-called small teams.
“These clubs are all competing in the same league, so there are no easy matches.
“However, as Hardrock, we expect nothing short of victory against Bulawayo Chiefs.”
Mupandare believes home support could prove decisive after the team previously suffered defeats against Highlanders and Triangle at Chahwanda.
“We have generally played very well at home, although we lost against Highlanders and Triangle,” he said.
“We did not expect to lose at home to Triangle, who were at the bottom, but that shows how tricky these matches can be.
“When we lost to Triangle, the stadium was empty and we did not have the supporters who usually motivate our players.
“Against Bulawayo Chiefs, it will be a different game because we expect the stadium to be filled to capacity.
“We trust that the fans will come in their numbers and rally behind the team. We are counting on the home support we always receive.”
