Onward Gangata [email protected]
WHEN Hardrock walked out of Chahwanda Stadium on Sunday after a remarkable 3-2 come-from-behind win against MWOS, they did not just stretch their lead at the top of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League to eight points.
The Kwekwe side also extended their unbeaten run in the league to 98 days, having last lost on July 19, going down 2-1 to Triangle.
But on Sunday, they instilled firm belief among their supporters that this could be their year.
Kelvin Kaindu, the Hardrock coach, is a man of faith, a devout Christian.
Last season, he saved Dynamos from relegation and, to put a cherry on top, also won the Chibuku Super Cup.
However, this season he has spoken less about his faith, instead, he has allowed his work to do the talking.
It’s as if he is fulfilling the scriptures which question, ‘Show me your faith without your works and I will show you my faith by my works’
And Kaindu never stopped believing even when his side was trailing at half time and went a further two goals down in the second half.
“Faith is the ability to believe in what is not seen,” said the Zambian after the euphoria of an extraordinary comeback had died down.
“Even at half-time I told them (players) to believe in ourselves, that our character has been tested in the last games against Dynamos and MWOS and it shows that we have built a character.”
To turn the match on its head as the Kasongo Boys did is a remarkable feat on its own.
However, clocking 98 days without defeat in the Premiership is no mean achievement considering the opponents Hardrock have faced in the process.
Away wins against Highlanders and Dynamos form part of the nine-match winning streak by the Kwekwe side.
Football has never been kind to anyone, there is this cruel and brutal manner in which it chops you down from your lofty position.
Kaindu is fully aware that this streak will count for nothing if his side drops the ball at this stage.
Twice as Highlanders coach in 2012 and 2013, he lost the league title on goal difference.
For him, that is a closed chapter which he no longer worries about but has used the experience gained to become a better coach.
“I don’t look at what happened in the past,” he retorted, “This is a new chapter, we have been scoring goals in all our games.
“We have a better goal difference than the team that is behind us, and the most important thing is the consistency with which we have applied ourselves.
“I think this is our time, these are games we could have lost against Dynamos and MWOS, when all hope was lost, even some were probably going out and we scored to win it in the end is special.”
Scottland will begin life after Norman Mapeza playing catch up on Thursday against Caps United.
Whether the champions can overturn Hardrock’s lead remains to be seen, for now, Kaindu is combining faith and hard work and it is bearing fruit.
