Tongai Mashonga, [email protected]
THE equation is simple for log leaders Hardrock Football Club, win your games and let the rest take care of itself.
That was the message from head coach Kelvin Kaindu as his high-flying Kwekwe miners prepare for a defining Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) Matchday 32 showdown against MWOS FC at Chahwanda on Sunday.
Fresh from a sweet 1-0 triumph over traditional giants Dynamos at Rufaro last Sunday, Hardrock now on 66 points from 31 outings, have stretched their unbeaten run to more than 10 matches and are daring to dream of a maiden PSL title in their debut top-flight season.
They lead second placed Scottland by five points. But the plot thickens.
Scottland, the league’s big spenders nicknamed Mabviravira, will be in Angola this weekend for their CAF Champions League return leg, a continental commitment that will leave them with two games in hand over Hardrock, a potential twist that could yet dent Kwekwe’s historic charge if they drop points.
Kaindu, a man who has walked this road before in Zimbabwe, is refusing to get drawn into the mathematics.
“In the first round of games we dropped points in such games and currently I am focusing on Hardrock than any other team,” said the Zambian tactician.
“We have no pressure at all because first position is just a position but the difference is that, it is the top position. We won’t be calculating any permutations, we just need to win our games.”
It is a philosophy that has served them well. At Rufaro, Hardrock showed both steel and flair.
Kaindu revealed his side should have won by a bigger margin, hitting the crossbar and post and carving out a flurry of chances in the final 10 minutes against the Glamour Boys.
“In the last 10 minutes at Rufaro we had many chances, hit the cross bar and post. My boys showed character and were determined to win. We had minor knocks but no serious injuries,” said Kaindu.
That character will be needed again against MWOS, a side Kaindu rates as one of the most unpredictable in the league.
The Punters have upset bigger names on their day and Kaindu expects a tactical battle where defensive organisation will be decisive.
“MWOS are an unpredictable opponent. We have to be strong and compact defending,” he said.
For Hardrock, the incentive is clear.
“We want to keep our unbeaten record. We want to keep the momentum we had, use our home advantage, this is our debut season,” Kaindu said.
Chahwanda has been a fortress this season and with a full house expected on Sunday, Kwekwe will be roaring the miners on, sniffing what would be the first ever PSL title for the Midlands mining town.
Whatever happens at the weekend, Hardrock will end Matchday 32 still perched at the summit with one hand holding the PSL Championship trophy. Whether Scottland’s games in hand will count will be decided in the weeks to come.
For now, Kaindu’s men have only one job to do, which is to beat MWOS.
