Online Reporter
Onward Gangata
Zimpapers Sports Hub
HARDROCK coach Kelvin Kaindu insists they still have a chance to win the league title despite struggling to record victories against the big teams in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
The Kwekwe-based side are yet to take all three points against any of the “big” sides in the league.
On Sunday, the Kasongo Boys allowed CAPS United to come from behind twice and earn a point in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
This means they have lost four points against the Harare giants, who are also in the title race, having lost 2-0 in the reverse fixture.
Hardrock have not looked convincing when facing the bigger sides, losing 1-0 at home to Highlanders, drawing 0-0 against Scottland at home, and losing 2-0 away to the champions.
They also played out a 2-2 draw against former champions Ngezi Platinum Stars, while their clash against Dynamos was abandoned with the match tied 1-1 with 14 minutes to play.
However, Hardrock managed to record back-to-back victories against 2015 champions Chicken Inn, who are on a rebuilding exercise. The draw against Makepekepe on Sunday saw Hardrock falling further behind Scottland in the title race.
Scottland are top of the log with 44 points while the Kwekwe-based side are in second place with 39 points.
Being the closest to Scottland in the title race, the Kasongo Boys will have to be near perfect to catch up with the Mabvuku side.
However, their inability to grind results against the top sides may haunt them in their quest for a maiden league title.
As the plot thickens, Hardrock will have to navigate past Dynamos, Highlanders, and Ngezi Platinum Stars, all away fixtures.
There is still 14 minutes of the abandoned match against DeMbare to be completed on Thursday.
Kaindu is adamant his side’s record against the big boys in the league will not determine their fate in the title race.
“What is important is to keep winning, the league is not about beating the teams you have not beaten,” quipped the Zambian.
“If we can get points against other teams for us, that is good. In as much as we wanted to get a positive result against Caps, we came close, but we let it slip. If we can pick points from other teams, it is still good for us.”
