Curtworth Masango
Zimpapers Sports Hub
HARDROCK coach Kelvin Kaindu and striker Washington Navaya have won the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League’s September Coach and Player of the Month awards, capping a productive spell for the Kwekwe side.
The awards, announced by the league, follow Hardrock’s victories over TelOne and Highlanders as they maintained pressure on defending champions Scottland in the championship race.
Kaindu’s men collected maximum points from their two September league assignments, scoring five goals and conceding once. They beat TelOne 4–1 at Chahwanda Stadium on September 5 before edging Highlanders 1–0 at Barbourfields on September 19.
Navaya delivered the decisive goal against Highlanders, striking in the 74th minute to settle a closely contested encounter and secure three valuable points away from home.
The result took his league tally to 16 goals, one short of the 17 he scored for TelOne during his Golden Boot-winning campaign last season. Hardrock ended that round of fixtures one point behind Scottland.
The September recognition adds to Navaya’s July Player of the Month award, underlining his sustained contribution to Hardrock’s attack.
For Kaindu, the latest honour follows his August Coach of the Month award, giving the Zambian successive monthly accolades during Hardrock’s debut Premiership campaign.
Hardrock’s strong September also extended to the Chibuku Super Cup, where they knocked out Scottland with a 1–0 quarter-final victory at Rufaro on September 16.
Their subsequent victory over Highlanders came just three days later, with Kaindu acknowledging the demands of the two assignments.
“It was a difficult game,” Kaindu said after the Barbourfields win.
