Online Reporter
Tongai Mashonga, [email protected]
CHAHWANDA Stadium is back, bloodied but unbowed.
After the chaos that forced the abandonment of Hardrock’s last home game against Dynamos on May 24, the home of the “Kasongo Boys” has been patched, painted and primed to host Simba Bhora in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) matchday 16 blockbuster this Sunday, 7 June 2026.
It’s redemption day in Kwekwe. And with four teams locked on 28 points at the summit, this is more than three points. It’s a top-four knife fight.
The Dynamos debacle left Chahwanda with damaged areas and bruised pride. But Hardrock chairman Wellington Mpandare says the stadium is ready to welcome Simba Bhora and prove lessons were learned. Repairs on damaged areas are going on smoothly as the club is looking for financial support while the community is coming handy in assisting the process.
Mpandare insists security has been overhauled and the message to fans is clear.
“It’s work in progress, there are things we are improving security wise. It was a work up call in every aspect. We are ready to host Simba bhora and everything is in place. We don’t expect any challenges like we experienced in our last home game. Chahwanda Stadium is a family home and we expect our supporters to rally behind the team, there will not be a repeat of what happened in our last home game. We urge our visitors to also come and have a match day experience at this newly built top of the range stadium. We promise them the best hospitality and easy access to the stadium.”
To avoid turnstile crush, Hardrock has gone digital.
“Tickets will be on sale from Thursday, at our shop at Chahwanda Complex and other selected places. There will also be selling booths at the stadium to minimize pressure at the turnstiles. They will be online tickets starting on Thursday, 4 June while on matchday they will be a booth for tickets at the stadium.”
This fixture is pure dynamite because of the PSL log table matrix after matchday 15.
The “Kasongo Boys” sit top because of a superior goal difference of plus 14. But Scotland, Herentals and Makepekepe are breathing down their necks, all on 28 points. One slip, and Hardrock drops out of the Champions League place.
Ngezi Platinum Stars are lurking in fifth on 26 points, while Dynamos, with a game in hand, sit on sixth position with 24 points after their abandoned tie at Chahwanda.
Kelvin Kaindu’s men are second half surgeons having made a habit of turning games on their head after halftime.
In their last two games Hardrock have been a threat in the second half.
Scoring 21 goals and conceding seven in 14 games, they have the stingiest defence in the league. A win here stretches their lead and sends a statement: Chahwanda is a fortress again.
Simba Bhora are desperate for oxygen.
The former PSL champions arrive in Kwekwe wounded. Four games without a win, the Mandla Mpofu’s side has dropped to ninth on 21 points from 15 matches.
Mpofu’s boys were held to a one all draw against ten men Triangle FC at home. The Kwekwe miners also had a goalless draw against MWOS away in Norton at Ngoni Stadium.”
Hope for the Shamva based side lies in energy and experience while Kaindu’s side will be banking on midfield work horse Neliswa Dlamini’s bundle of energy to drive the team while welcoming gunslinger Washington Navaya back in the team.
Navaya missed the last two games against Dynamos as he was with the Warriors in the United Kingdom for the Unity Cup and he featured in the bronze medal match against India. His return adds bite to a Hardrock attack that has managed 21 goals so far.
The stakes are high for Hardrock, a win means they stay at the top, widen the gap and exorcise the ghost of May 24.
For Simba Bhora a win means they leap back into title contention, just 7 points off the summit.
Chahwanda Stadium, once a scene of mayhem, now stands as a symbol of recovery.
