Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
FROM glittering friendlies to towering ambitions, Hardrock FC are already making waves in Zimbabwean football.
Just days after hosting iconic Dynamos, the Kwekwe-based side will now face off against another big name, CAPS United, at Baghdad Stadium this afternoon.
Hardrock’s appetite for high-profile matches does not stop there; the team recently locked horns with Yadah Stars in Waterfalls, Harare.
Amidst all this razzmatazz, Hardrock, who will make their debut in the Central Region Division One League this season, already have their sights firmly set on the pinnacle of Zimbabwean football: the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
“Our chances of winning the Central Region Division One championship are over 80 percent,” boasted Hardrock chairperson Jonathan Chahwanda.
“As Hardrock, we want to make sure fans in Kwekwe enjoy quality football and we will do whatever it takes for the team to gain promotion into the top-flight.”
Kwekwe have not had a Premiership side since 2008 when Lancashire Steel were relegated.
The last top-flight match in the Midlands town was on December 21, 2008, when Lancashire Steel lost 0-1 against Eastern Lions, a few weeks before their relegation from the PSL was sealed.
After 17 years of waiting, Kwekwe is now bracing for the return of Premiership football to the gold-rich town, following the promotion of Kwekwe United this season.
Construction of Chahwanda Stadium is at an advanced stage and chances are high Kwekwe United could end up using the facility for their home games.
The promotion of Kwekwe United could force the local authorities to renovate the iconic Baghdad Stadium, an arena that catapulted scores of players to stardom.
Luke Petros, Albert Mbano, Norman Komani, Nesbert Gwede, Stephen Alimenda, Justice Majabvi, Shadreck “Ziguru” Malunga, Simbarashe Gate, Isaac Nyausaru, Shaiso Chiduku and 2014 Soccer Star of the Year Dennis Dauda are some of the players who emerged from Kwekwe.
Yesteryear heroes like Benedict “Grinder” Moyo, Ephraim Dzimbiri, 1984 Soccer Star of the Year James Takavada and former Warriors star defender Paul Gundani (late) also hail from this town.
Kennedy Nagoli, the only Zimbabwean to play in Brazil’s top-flight league, also comes from Kwekwe.
That is why a number of former footballers from the town are nostalgic.
They are yearning for a return to the era when Kwekwe used to be a hotbed of football talent.
Their hopes lie in the promotion of Kwekwe United and the emergence of Hardrock, a highly professional outfit that has announced their arrival in Division One with some noise.
Grain Tigers have also resurfaced, while seasoned Division One campaigners Tongogara are still around.
“I am very happy about the way football is growing in Kwekwe. Now, we have a PSL team and a well-run Division One side,” said Dauda, who now turns out for Kwekwe United after stints with PSL sides ZPC Kariba, CAPS United and Black Rhinos.
The 36-year-old defender is hopeful a number of budding footballers will be motivated by watching Premiership games in their own backyard.
“When we were growing up here in Kwekwe, there was Lancashire Steel in the PSL and Chrome Stars in Division One,” he said.
“Because of such a scenario, we had the privilege of watching big teams like CAPS United, Dynamos and Highlanders. It gave me the zeal to pursue football seriously, so I am confident from now on, we will have more players coming from Kwekwe.
“Credit goes to Shepherd Chahwanda for coming up with the Hardrock project. He is also building Chahwanda Stadium with assistance from Walter Magaya. Not forgetting Kwekwe United owner Phil Makekera.”
2008 Soccer Star of the Year runner-up Majabvi believes the developments could restore Kwekwe’s position as one of the most trusted sources of football talent.
“Kwekwe United have come at the right time. It’s a great achievement to have a Premier Soccer League team in Kwekwe.
“The demise of Lancashire Steel FC deprived local fans of the chance to watch the likes of Dynamos, Highlanders and CAPS United, but I am sure Kwekwe United will bring football people together,” said Majabvi, who reached the CAF Champions League semi-final with Dynamos in 2008.
“I also want to talk about Hardrock, who are going to play in Division One. They look very stable and organised. Financially, they seem very comfortable and this is something that was missing in Kwekwe.
“We need to have more teams that can give opportunities to young footballers. Personally, I am praying for Kwekwe United to stay in the top-flight and for Hardrock to gain promotion.
“This is good for the community. Midlands province has a lot of talent, but platforms have been lacking.”
Former national Under-23 keeper Chiduku urged Kwekwe football fans to rally behind their local teams.
“The community should support their own teams so that they get good results,” said Chiduku.
Kwekwe fans displayed their passion for the game when they packed Baghdad on the day Hardrock hosted Dynamos.
The occasion rekindled the days when Baghdad was Kwekwe’s Theatre of Dreams.
“People like Chahwanda should be lauded for reviving football in the town,” said Chiduku.
“He is building a state-of-the-art stadium in the town, which proves he has the focus and vision. His team Hardrock are an exciting project. They look like a team that is destined for the Premiership. This is a sign football is expanding in Kwekwe.”
Hardrock have been on a shopping spree as they seek to win the Central Region championship on their debut. They have roped in a number of players with Premiership football experience like Munyaradzi Diro Nyenye, formerly with Harare City and ZPC Kariba; ex-Yadah star Lenox Mucheto; and former FC Platinum striker Donald Ngoma.
