Sports Reporter
IF Hardrock go on to win the Castle Lager Premiership this season, then they will probably look back at two games at Rufaro which had a huge bearing in their push for glory.
The spiritual home of domestic football, in particular, and the capital, in general, has always been a tough hunting ground for clubs from outside Harare. It’s what destroyed MWOS’ quest for the league title last season as Lloyd Mutasa could not win either in the capital or at Rufaro.
In sharp contrast, Hardrock have not only found a way to win at Rufaro but, in two big games which could decide the fight for the league title, they have won with virtually the last kick of the game.
Rather than take home two points, in the two games against Hunters and Dynamos, they have taken SIX points and that could be a key figure in the quest for the title.
And, in both games, their opponents, who were the home teams, were reduced to TEN-MAN.
In August, Prince Dube struck in added time to complete Hardrock’s comeback against 10-man Hunters at Rufaro and prevent the Kwekwe miners from falling six points behind then leaders Scottland.The Warriors forward’s left-footed shot from outside the box secured a 2-1 victory and kept Kelvin Kaindu’s side four points off the summit, at that stage, after Scottland also beat Simba Bhora 2-1 at Wadzanai.
Godfrey Dabgwa gave Hunters a 31st-minute lead before Emmanuel Zinyama’s dismissal changed the game midway through the second half.
Washington Navaya equalised a minute after the red card before Dube won it with the last kick of the game in added time. Hunters goalkeeper Moreblessing Phiri, though, was at fault for the decisive goal as he let what appeared to be a lame strike squeeze through his hands. Phiri has not played for Hunters since making that mistake.
“We should have collected at least a point, but unfortunately it did not go well for us,” said Hunters coach Nesbert Saruchera.
On Saturday, it was DeMbare’s chance to feel the pain after Hardrock scored with the last touch of the game, seven minutes into time added on.
Veteran forward Masimba Mambare, at 40, punished a DeMbare defence which went sleeping in the dying embers of the game with the only goal of the match. The Glamour Boys have been praised for the way they held on after their star forward, Frank Agyemang, was sent off in the second half for a second bookable offence.
But, for Hardrock, what matters is the win and, with three games to go, and Scottland distracted by Champions League commitments, the Kwekwe side are in the driving seat with a five-point lead.
