Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, [email protected]
THE mention of Washington Navaya, the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League leading goalscorers and the 2025 Golden Boot winner, and new arrival Prince Dube is causing mayhem in the elite division.
Navaya has found the back of the net 15 times, two goals shy of what his tally was in 2025 when he was crowned top goalscorers and Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year.
His triumph was a great achievement for Midlands soccer especially Gweru where he was stationed at TelOne.
For a long time Gweru, has not had anything football to celebrate despite producing a number of great players and football moments through teams like Go Beer Rovers, Gweru United and Chapungu.
Navaya moved to neighbouring Kwekwe at the end of last season, a deal many felt should not have succeeded as they felt South Africa offered better. There were also fears about him retaining the same form at Hardrock in Kwekwe but the predatory big striker has been worth every dollar spent by the gold miners.
Enter the second transfer window, Prince Dube arrives.
The former Inyathi rural star who raised his stock at Highlanders before moving to Tanzania, has been a revelation with his six goals from July for the club. He has shown terrific form and a strong finish is expected of him with a tally of double figures along Navaya.
At Luveve Stadium on Sunday, Hardrock will face Jordan FC.
They are a club dreaming big of a better future. Reaching the final 16 of the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup, is an excursion they have enjoyed every bit of and have overnight become Insiza District’s pride.
Soccer is popular in the district despite few known heroes in the game with former Highlanders and Gwanda Ramblers striker Jerry Sibanda, now Bulawayo City and former Hwange midfielder
Boniface Nyongo among the prominent ones despite not reaching their full potential.
Jordan trained at the match venue yesterday morning and judging the mood in the camp, there is no fear of what to expect in the tournament’s next stage.
The boys believe Hardrock could actually be the ones under pressure.
On Monday Hardrock coach, Kelvin Kaindu said complacency could be his team’s biggest undoing. Already Dynamos fell to Hwange, TelOne to Blanket Mine and Highlanders to Blackrock.
Upsets cannot be ruled out at this stage of the competition.
Speaking after training yesterday, Jordan boys declared war on Hardrock telling Navaya and Dube that there won’t be any floodgates.
Tavonga Buda, the team’s 25-year-old captain said they are looking forward to the Hardrock game.
“We are coming for you, Kasongo Boys,” declared Buda, who is often played at defensive midfield or centreback and has the physique to match Navaya and Dube.
Tinashe Jimu the club’s left-side centreback said: “Eish we are just looking forward to this big game to expose ourselves to be seen; it’s a very big game, Navaya and Prince, Dube we are coming for you.”
Anxious Mutanda, who has been outstanding as the last line of defence for the Filabusi team, is a dependable goalkeeper who commands his area very well and his ball distribution is superb.
Mutanda is the reason why the team has managed to stay among the top four clubs in the league race of the Zifa Southern Region Pacific Breeze League.
“We are telling Navaya that his 15 goals are enough, the goal is a no-go area, hokoyo!”
Striker Shemaya Mutonono, who is 19-years old and boasts good height, pace and eye for goal, is relishing the big stage Sunday’s match offers.
“Hokoyo Takwara, if you see jersey 27 know that you are in trouble,” said the youngster ahead of what should be a bruising encounter with the Warriors centreback Gerald Takwara, who takes every match as if it’s his final trial.
Hardrock, who have players from Eswatini and some good locals, are firm favourites but may find the Filabusi lads party poopers.
Fixtures
Tomorrow: FC Hunters v Hwange (Wadzanayi), FC Platinum v Blackrock (Mandava), Chili v Bulawayo Chiefs (Ascot), Scottland v MWOS Under-19 (Rufaro).
Sunday: Triangle v Blanket Mine (Gibo), Jordan v Hardrock (Luveve), Caps United v Manica Diamonds (Rufaro).
