Online Reporter
Tongai Mashonga, Zimpapers Sports Hub
Hardrock Football Club’s supporters’ leadership issued a heartfelt and impassioned appeal to their fans following the team’s 2-0 defeat to Caps United on Saturday at Rufaro Stadium.
The loss had sparked outrage among some supporters, who took to social media to express their anger and frustration, targeting the coach and certain players with harsh criticism and personal attacks.
After four games in their debut Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL), the Kelvin Kaindu-coached side won two games (ZPC Kariba FC 1-0 away, Chicken Inn FC 1-0 home), one draw (Scottland FC 0-0), and a loss to Caps United. Some unruly fans, used to their unbeaten run in the lower leagues, pressed the panic button.
However, the supporters’ leadership urged calm, patience, and unity, emphasising that one loss doesn’t define the season.
The coach had fielded his best team, which competed for 90 minutes and showed resilience against a super-charged Caps United team, gunning for the PSL championship. Caps United, under Takesure Chiragwi, had brought in exciting players to compete for the league honours.
Tadious Marima, Hardrock supporters chairman, emphasised the importance of standing together as a supportive community. “One loss doesn’t define the season, we are Champs,” he said, “all I urge my fellow supporters is to come and support our team, ‘tisarase mbereko family’, let us not lose the pride,” he pleaded.
Patience Chitanda, supporters association secretary, affectionately known as Mai Bhonzo, expressed clear disappointment with the negative behaviour on social media, stressing it was premature to judge the coaches and players harshly.
“It’s too early to judge our coaches. Insulting our coaches isn’t good at all; we don’t tolerate such behaviour, and that must stop. We still have a long way to go, let’s give them our support, we are the champs, so we are going to conquer.”
Chitanda likened the game to mining, drawing on a local theme to appeal for patience and support.
“As a supporter, you should know a game has three possible outcomes, and we accept all of them.
The team is new in the Premier League, but we’re doing okay so far. It’s not even half the season yet, only one loss, it’s unfair to say the coach made a mistake.
Our fans should know that in a game, no team wants to be defeated. Against Scottland, our players and technical staff wanted a win at home, but it didn’t happen. Let’s not lose heart, it’s early stages yet, the game is still on.”
“The game is like artisanal mining, you come from home thinking many have struck gold, but you arrive and find nothing, even a gram or point, yet others have been making money, it’s the same. We were scared of Dembare, but they were beaten 5-0; that’s football,” said Chitanda, affirming that they lost to Caps United, but their team played well; it wasn’t their day.
The leadership affirmed their confidence in the team, saying they have a long way to go and should focus on supporting the team rather than criticising them.
