Tongai Mashonga
THE champagne is on ice, the drums are ready and the miners are digging for the biggest gold of their football lives!
Hardrock FC are just 90 minutes away from becoming Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions, but standing between them and glory are former champions Simba Bhora.
The Kwekwe miners travel to Wadzanai Stadium in Shamva on Saturday knowing that victory will crown them kings of Zimbabwean football with a game to spare.
The team, affectionately known as “Famba Hardi!, Ko Pachinei!”, are sitting pretty at the top of the log with 69 points from 32 matches.
Defending champions Scottland are breathing down their necks on 65 points, but Hardrock know that one more victory will shut the door on their rivals.
What looked like a comfortable title march has suddenly turned into a nail-biting race after the miners’ eight-point advantage was chopped in half. Now, Shamva could be the place where history is made.
Hardrock have been the more attacking side, winning 21 matches and scoring 57 goals, compared to Scottland’s 18 wins and 46 goals.
But Scottland have shown why they are champions, losing just three matches and conceding only 11 goals, while Hardrock have lost five and let in 21.
The miners have a goal difference of 36, just one better than Scottland’s 35, but at this stage, nobody is handing out trophies for statistics.
It is all about getting the job done!
Hardrock have two matches left: Saturday’s trip to Simba Bhora and their final home clash against FC Platinum.
A win in Shamva will take them to 72 points, beyond Scottland’s maximum possible tally of 71.
That means the miners could celebrate their maiden league title away from home, with their final match becoming a victory lap.
A draw would keep the champagne on ice and give Scottland a lifeline, while defeat would leave the title race hanging by a thread. Scottland must win their remaining matches against Herentals
FC and Triangle United and pray that Hardrock stumble.
The equation is simple: Hardrock hold the key, while Scottland are left praying for a miracle.
Hardrock coach Kelvin Kaindu is keeping his cool despite watching his team’s lead shrink.
“All we need is consistency,” said Kaindu. “We are an attacking team and believe in our system of play.”
The Zambian gaffer knows that pressure comes with the territory and insists his team must concentrate on its own business.
“Football is always a pressure game regardless of which position you are. That four points could have been even reduced but the only thing is that we play our games.”
Kaindu expects a tough afternoon against Simba Bhora, who know what it takes to win the championship, while Scottland are desperate to defend their crown.
“Simba Bhora are former champions, probably they will put up the biggest test this season and Scottland are the defending champions,” he said.
The miners will look to Prince Dube to fire them to glory after his brace inspired a remarkable comeback against FC Hunters in Saturday’s Chibuku Super Cup semi-final. However, Hardrock will be without two players who are suspended.
“He is a very key player to the team. We have no major injuries though we will miss two players due to suspension. We want to play football on the field and talk later. The only thing we can do is praying to God Almighty,” said Kaindu.
For the miners, this is no ordinary trip to Shamva. It is a date with destiny.
They are chasing a maiden Premier Soccer League crown and the chance to make Kwekwe the centre of Zimbabwean football celebrations.
One more win and the gold rush will be complete.
Famba Hardi! Ko Pachinei!
