Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CENTRAL Region Soccer League title aspirants Hardrock may have shot themselves in the foot in their quest for Premiership promotion amid allegations that they fraudulently registered a player under a false name.
Hardrock are in a fierce battle for the sole promotion ticket for the region with log leaders Sheasham with only five points separating the two sides.
However, Hardrock might have scored an own goal, which could come to haunt their dream of playing Premier Soccer League football next year.
They have on board former Dulibadzimu left-back Ephany Gwawawa in their ranks after tagging him during the mid-season transfer window.
Gwawawa, whose Dulibadzimu license states that he was born in Seke on July 6, 2001 is now allegedly registered as Tanyaradzwa Godfrey Tsiga with his date of birth adjusted to 2007, ostensibly to register him as a development player.
The matter is already under investigation after the Zimbabwe Republic Police in Gwanda formally wrote to the CRSL, following their match against Hardrock played on August 9, in which Gwawawa was reportedly identified as Tsiga.
In their complaint ZRP Gwanda want Hardrock charged with using an ineligible player.
“This letter serves to officially lodge our complaint against Hard Rock Football Club for fielding a player named Ephany Gwawawa, who is known to be registered by Dulibadzimu United FC where he played matches in the first half of the 2025 CRSL season.
“The said player featured in our match against Hardrock FC played at Baghdad Stadium in Kwekwe on 09/08/25. Surprisingly he was using the name Tanyaradzwa Tsiga Registration ID: 010989M07 and wearing jersey number 12.
“He was fielded for the whole duration of the match playing the left back position.
“Through our preliminary investigations we have established that the player in question Ephany Gwawawa is a Dynamos FC player who was registered on loan to Dulibadzimu United for the 2025 season.
“He moved to Hardrock FC during the mid-season window where he is featuring with completely different registration particulars.”
The complainants also gave more insight into Gwawawa’s career pathway.
“He was registered by Dulibadzimu United FC with Registration ID: 008010M01 and was born on the 6th of July 2001.
At Hardrock FC he is now purported to be Tanyaradzwa Godfrey Tsiga, ID 010989M07 and born on the 15th of August 2007.
“With these new particulars, he now qualifies to be potentially registered fraudulently as a developmental player, who is under 20 years of age.
“We therefore have a strong conviction that the said player is unregistered or fraudulently registered by Hardrock FC and was fielded illegally.
The letter continued:
“It is with no doubt that Hardrock gained an unfair advantage by using an ineligible player and our team was reduced to nine (9) men during the first half of the match due to a second yellow card where this particular player was fouled.
“The use of the player in question contributed significantly to the outcome of the match which the home team undeservedly won 3-0.” ZRP Gwanda want the CRSL chiefs to fully probe the matter which could result in Hardrock being docked three points on a 3-0 score-line and possibly incur a huge fine. “We kindly request that your esteemed office investigate this matter and take necessary action against Hardrock FC for violating the rules.
“We also request that the team be penalised for fielding an ineligible player, in accordance with the governing rules and regulations.
“Hardrock Football Club had no right whatsoever to act in the manner they did.”
Strangely, CRSL have not yet acted on the complaint despite having received the protest over a month ago.
There are genuine concerns that the league’s chiefs might be trying to sweep the matter under the carpet, given Hardrock’s involvement in the title chase.
The 2025 CRSL have just six matches to play before winding down their season.
CRSL administrator Gift Nyapomwe acknowledged that the region had received the ZRP Gwanda complaint and were still carrying out their own investigations.
“Yes we received the complaint about that from ZRP Gwanda and we are carrying out the necessary investigations,” said Mupomwe.
“If necessary, the case will be taken to the Disciplinary Committee.”
Should Hardrock be found guilty and points docked, they could fall further behind in the title race and may have to wait for the 2026 season to take another crack at Premiership promotion.
