shloboe boe
Tongai Mashonga
PREMIER Soccer League (PSL) side Hardrock Football Club’s surprise package this season has been the emergence of three talented youngsters, who have risen to the occasion in the Premier Soccer League (PSL), forming a potent attacking trio that’s leaving defenders breathless.
Wilfred Madzungu, Tinashe “Majudha” Mashaireni and Last “Dhindiri” Nyilenda have combined to score five goals of the team’s seven goals, making them the team’s talismen and brightest hopes for the future.
These youngsters have outshone more established players in the first six games played, earning them a reputation as game changers.
Their impressive form has been a key factor in Hardrock FC’s push into the top four, and they are now being hailed as the team’s brightest hopes for the future.
Their meet up at Hardrock is more of a fairy tale, Mashaireni and Nyilenda were part of the 2024 CRSL title-winning Kwekwe United, with Prince Matore as their coach. Mashaireni left United for Chicken Inn having joined the team during the mid-season window from Ngezi Platinum FC. Majudha then joined Hardrock during the 2025 mid-season window from Chicken Inn FC, joining Nyilenda once again, who had signed with the miners after leaving Kwekwe United. Madzungu, the reigning CRSL Soccer Star of the Year and Golden Boot winner, joined the team from Sheasham FC in January, bringing his pace, power, and finishing ability to the attack.
The goal machine, Wilfred Manzungu, the 23-year-old striker from Mbizo, Kwekwe, has been on fire, scoring three goals in two games.
“I’ve worked hard on my finishing, and it’s paying off,” Manzungu said. “I’m just focusing on scoring goals and helping the team win.” Madzungu started coming off the bench and netted the first goal at Chahwanda against Chicken Inn, and had an assist for Washington Navaya against ZPC Kariba then a brace against Herentals FC. “I’m just working hard to fit in with the big boys, it’s like the ball flows with me,” he added.
Madzungu’s favourite position is playing on the wing, and he thinks he was meant to be in the top flight league. “My target is to go forward in every aspect and do my best, hopefully score many goals,” he said.
“The Premier League is tough but I go into the game knowing I will score and sometimes it happens.” Coach Kelvin Kaindu has been instrumental in his development, advising him to “play simple and move forward.”
Madzungu said, “My coach Kelvin Kaindu always tells me to play simple and move forward, I feel happy and appreciated, I’m really thankful for the opportunity he has given me.”
Tinashe “Majudha” Mashaireni, the creative central midfielder from Amaveni, Kwekwe, has been creating opportunities for his team’s attack , scoring one goal and providing pace and skill upfront.
“I’m just trying to do my job and support the team,” he said. Majudha’s nickname comes from his teenage days, derived from the Biblical ‘Judas Iscariot’, as he showed no mercy to opponents.
As a central midfielder, Mashaireni focuses on dictating the pace of the game using his vision to pick out his teammates and create scoring opportunities. “I try to distribute the ball effectively,” he said. “Our current success is due to team work and hard work and coach Kaindu’s guidance building a strong team dynamics. We are always disciplined as a team capitalising on our chances.”
Mashaireni heaped praise on his coach, “Coach Kaindu has brought a lot of experience and tactical awareness to the team. He’s helped me improve my game by emphasising the importance of discipline and staying focused.” He added, “As one of the young players, I always listen to my seniors what they say and what they want me to do. I also work hard and pushing myself to be the best.”
The 21- year old Last “Dhindiri” Nyilenda, the whirlwind winger from Chikangwe, Karoi, has been a revelation, scoring one goal and providing pace and energy behind the strikers with high work rate. “I’m loving every minute of it,” he said. Nyilenda says he’s not surprised with his form as he’s continuing from where he left off in division one.
“There are no much surprises for me in the PSL, I’m just continuing from where I left from in division one, but I’m learning a lot in the top flight league from the technical team, experienced players, everyday it’s a learning curve,” Nyilenda said. His favourite position is on the left wing, and he credits the awesome dressing room atmosphere for driving him to do better.
Nyilenda’s first PSL goal was special, and he wishes to score more. “Scoring my first goal in PSL was special, I wish to score more goals, maybe scoring against Herentals was a sign of good things to come. It has been my desire to score goals and they will come,” he said. Coach Kaindu has been a fatherly figure, advising him on all aspects of the game. “My coach has brought in lots of confidence in me and he is a fatherly figure always advising me on all the aspects of the game,” Nyilenda added.
The emergence of these three youngsters, along with Nigel Matinha, has given Hardrock FC a new dimension. Madzungu and Mashaireni have even been called up to the national team, the Warriors, a testament to their impressive performances.
derick.khumalo