Online Reporter
Tongai Mashonga
Hardrock FC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Simba Bhora FC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0
IF Hardrock continue at this rate, the frightening attack that left Simba Bhora off the rails at Chahwanda yesterday, not many PSL teams will be ready for this nightmare.
On three occasions, the undertaker bell rang here, and with that, the former champions were buried. After temporarily losing top position in the Castle Lager Premiership on Saturday to Scottland, Hardrock were back again to the summit after the 3-0 win over Simba Bhora.
Scottland are now second with an inferior goal difference while CAPS United, also on 31 points, are third. In Kwekwe, Washington Navaya returned from national duty to fire Hardrock past Simba Bhora with a brace in front of a good crowd at Chahwanda.
The striker wasted no time reminding the league why he’s one of its deadliest finishers, opening the score sheet with a poacher’s tap-in from a clever Sambulo Simelane assist in the 32nd minute.
Navaya extended the lead with another moment to treasure, controlling with chest and a strike. Neliswa Dlamini gave the assist with a pinpoint cross in the 42nd minute.
Navaya’s brace plus Samuel Makawa’s long-range deflected strike sealed a good win for the miners. Hardrock coach Kelvin Kaindu said the game had a lot of pressure.
“It is a very important win for us, we haven’t won in the last two games and today we responded quite positive,” said kaindu.
“It’s a game that brought a lot of pressure. Before the game kicked off, we had moved from our position on the log but we responded quite well scoring three goals. “It shows how much depth we have in the team. We made three changes today. It also showed us that we have guys who can come in. “At half-time we made tactical changes Samuel Makawa came in and gave us a goal. We have depth and we need to keep up the momentum.
“We are a team coming from Division one, our first objective is to stay in the premier league. We also saw the value of Navaya we missed him in the last two games and saw his impact today.” Simba Bhora’s head coach Mandla Mpofu said his team’s performance was below par.
“A tough match for us, very very disappointed,” said Mpofu.
“We had a very good game plan in terms of how to close the gap and not give our opponents space around the box.
“We did well . . . On restart they pressed us very high from the front. We came up with a better team in the second half in terms of trying to minimise their opportunities.
“But I was disappointed with the last ten minutes of the first half. I’m very disappointed with the scoreline, It’s very disappointing. Our team’s performance in the last games is worrisome.”
Meanwhile, FC Platinum were 1-0 winners over Triangle at Gibbo yesterday.
Hardrock: Tonderai Mateyaunga, Shelton Sibanda(64’ Samuel Makawa), Tinotenda Muringai, Marshall Gavaza, Misheck Ngwenya, Munashe Bamara, Washington Navaya( 74’Wilfred Manzungu), Donald Mudadi(74’ Xolani Ndlovu), Sambulo Simelane(64’ Tinashe Mashaireni, Masimba Mambare(45’Last Nyilenda), Neliswa Dlamini
Simba Bhora: Simbarashe Chinani, Webster Tafa Tanaka, Lawrence Chaziya, Ishmael Nyanhi(80’ Munashe Chakuchichi, Nomore Tsabora, Tichaona Chipunza, Kevin Blessed Ndereki, Carlos Mavhurume, Butholezwe Mzomsuthu Ncube(75’Ephraim Gwekwerer), Carlos Chris Mukumbira(62’ Tapiwa Mandinyenya), Mccartney Tevin Naweseb
