Tongai Mashonga in KWEKWE
Hardrock…………………………………………(0) 3
MWOS……………………………………..…….(1) 2
HARDROCK passed a HUGE test of their credentials to win a maiden Castle Lager Premiership title when they came back from two goals down to snatch all three points at Chahwanda yesterday.
Kelvin Kaindu’s men are now EIGHT points clear at the top of the table and could be crowned champions, without winning another game, if Scottland drop points in two of their last four league matches.
The champions have a tough date against CAPS United at Rufaro on Thursday.
Hardrock have two games left, against Simba Bhora (away) and FC Platinum (home) while Scottland will play CAPS United, Chicken Inn, Herentals and Triangle.
For the second game in a row, Kaindu and his men left it until very late to snatch victory and give themselves full control of their destiny in their quest to be the first club from Kwekwe to be crowned champions.
Arthur Banda struck in the ninth minute for MWOS on the counter to put the visitors into the lead.
In the 57th minute, Nigel Makumbe extended MWOS’ lead, capitalising on a mix-up between goalie Martin Mapisa and his defence.
Gerald Takwara pounced on the rebound with a tap-in to make it 2-1.
In the 75th minute, Navaya laid a fine pass that was clinically finished by Thubelihle Mavuso to level the scores. And, then came Munashe Bamara’s magic to complete the comeback.
Years from now, this will be remembered as one of the greatest comebacks by Hardrock in a season they are now just 180 minutes from being crowned champions.
Kaindu said he never stopped believing even when they were 0-2 down.
“I think even at half time the only message that I gave them is the ability to believe in ourselves.
“We have worked very, very hard for us to come and lose it when it really matters and they haven’t disappointed.
“We came back strongly.
“I think for the first time you have seen me run across just to go and celebrate.
“I think he (Bamara) saved it for the last and what a goal.” He added:
“Good fighting spirit. MWOS gave us a run for our money.
“They capitalised on the few mistakes that we made in both goals that we conceded.
“We played well and we showed the character that we deserve to be champions.”
This stretches Hardrock’s winning streak to nine games in the league.
And, this also means that this season, they have not lost in a match in which they have scored at least two goals.
The closest they came to losing after scoring two was in another comeback against Ngezi Platinum Stars when the match ended 2-2.
MWOS coach Lloyd Mutasa was left to rue poor game management.
“It was a good game. We took the lead, a game we thought was in our hands.
“We let go a game we thought we could have taken three points from, but such is football.
“We say congratulations to the winning team, Hardrock,” said Mutasa.
He added:
“I think we have learnt our lessons. I don’t even know when we conceded three goals in a game, more so in one half.
“But such is football.
“We were working, we had a very good game plan, we took the lead but we failed to manage the game as a team.
“When everything happens, everything goes back to me as a coach.”
