Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Herentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Hardrock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1) 2
HARDROCK showed they are in no mood to easily give up the fight for a historic championship with this victory at Rufaro yesterday.
The Kwekwe-based side desperately needed the full points to keep leaders Scottland, who had stretched their lead at the top after beating TelOne last Friday, within reach.
The Kelvin Kaindu charges duly arrived at the party, and by the time Lawrence Zimondi blew the final whistle, they had closed the gap between them and Scotland to just seven with 12 more games before the season ends.
Man-of-the-match Donald Mudadi, who is arguably having the best season in his career and reigning Soccer Star of the Year Washington Navaya, scored for the guests either side of half-time to take their tally to 42 points in 22 games.
It was the right response Kaindu wanted from his boys after they lost to Dynamos in the final 14 minutes replayed at Baobab last Thursday after the original encounter at Chahwanda ended prematurely in May due to crowd trouble.
At the time of the fixture, the scores were tied at 1-1, and in just 14 minutes, replayed as part of the Premier Soccer League Disciplinary Committee’s ruling, Hardrock ended up surrendering all the points.
But the response wouldn’t have been any better in a match where they seized their opportunities against a tough opponent.
“Yeah, I think it was a good game. Herentals have never been an easy opponent for anyone. For us to pick up six points from them shows how much we have improved. And it’s not just the victory,” said Kaindu.
“Today (Yesterday), we didn’t do well; we wouldn’t have come this far. We have had tough encounters at Rufaro. We lost to CAPS United and Scottland in identical fashion, but today (yesterday), we managed to pick up three points at Rufaro.
“That gives us a bit of confidence as we try to narrow the gap with the team that is on top.
“The first thing is with the points that we have now, we are quite certain that we are not going to be among the teams that are fighting relegation. We have consolidated ourselves.
“Now we need to stay focused and try to be a bit more consistent. Scottland have opened up a wider margin because they have been consistent in the last six, seven or eight games — they’ve been winning.”
The match started rather lowly, with both sides not making forward forays, and for 15 minutes, neither came anywhere near the opponent’s 18-yard box.
Herentals were the first after that cold start to warm the stage up, but Martin Mapisa, given the nod ahead of Tonderai Mateyaunga, stood tall between the posts.
And just like that, the match opened up.
Hardrock’s first real chance culminated in Mudadi’s goal after some good play down the right channel.
The hosts tried to crawl back into it, doing everything else but failing to breach Mapisa.
Herentals were the more dangerous side in the second period, but Mapisa stood between them, and Hardrock maintained the lead.
Then, against the run of play, Tawanda Chisi conceded a penalty, and Navaya scored.
That was it.
Herentals coach Paul Benza said, “We just gave away the game. For me, I think we were supposed to defend better. We were supposed to do better in defending; both goals were simple to avoid. The penalty we conceded, and the first goal. If you don’t defend well, you get punished. I think that’s when we lost the game.”
Meanwhile, Agama edged Triangle 1-0 at Wadzanayi yesterday.
Teams
Herentals: Tinotendaishe Takarinda, Brighton Majarira, Tinashe Mupumha, Tawanda Chisi, Blessing Majarira (Kundai Sangare 70min), Erick Dombo, Ralph Kawondera (Clemence Gobvu 70min), Milton Chimedza, Wilmore Chimbetu, Prince Chama (Tinashe Mazambani 75min), Innocent Benza (Prince Mahembe 46min)
Hardrock: Martin Mapisa, Lennox Mucheto, Tinotenda Muringai, Marshal Gavaza, Gerald Takwara, Xolani Ndlovu, Washington Navaya, Donald Mudadi (Wilfred Madzungu 70min), Prince Dube (Last Nyilenda 90mins), Sambulo Simelani, Neliswa Dhlamini (Samuel Makawa 75min)
