Tadious Manyepo Zimpapers Sports Hub
HARDROCK midfielder Neliswa “Tiger” Dlamini feels the Kwekwe club have the potential to be become a continental giant after helping them to the brink of a league and cup double over the past fortnight.
The Eswatini international threw in a box-office performance for 10-man Hardrock when they rallied from 0-2 down to draw 2-2 before rolling over FC Hunters on penalties in the Chibuku Super Cup semifinal at Chahwanda on Saturday.
Trailing 0-2 at 72minutes after the expulsion of defender Misheck Ngwenya for a second bookable offence, Dlamini retreated to central defence where he partnered Gerald Takwara.
But the silky star never confined himself at the heart of defence as roved around the entire pitch, helping out in crucial phases of play in midfield and the attacking third.
With him giving the incredible shift, Hardrock never looked like they were a man down and instead of sitting back and try to limit the damage, they threw everything in front.
Subsequently they earned a penalty which double scorer Prince Dube bundled home before tapping in the equalizer at the death.
They then put the icing on the cake by slicing all their allotted five spot kicks home to complete one of the most remarkable moments in the history of the Chibuku Super Cup.
As well as brace getter Dube and another Eswatini midfield maestro Thubelihle Mavuso, most of the attention was on Dlamini from the way he put in a complete performance just like he has done for log leaders throughout the season.
Dlamini is already a winner having lifted the league title in Eswatini over the past three seasons with Mbabane Swallows and Nsingizini Hotspurs from where Hardrock signed
him from at the start of the season.
“I feel like Hardrock can be a solid outfit capable of standing toe to toe with the best in the continent,” said Dlamini.
“The character that the team has is the same character that powerhouses in the continent possess.
“I am really happy to be part of a team like this one. Everyone is a fighter and a believer.
“We have won several league games after coming from behind and some of the victories came right at the end of the game.
“It’s a team of optimists. We are blessed to have such individuals in this group.
“FC Hunters were surely running away with it but we just kept on believing and in the end we are the ones going to the final.”
Dlamini, a serious Soccer Star of the Year contender said it is coach Kelvin Kaindu who has installed into the players that never-die software.
“Our coach is a prayer warrior,” added Dlamini.
“We play for him. He has taught each of us a lesson to never surrender.
“Every time we see a match is sliding away from us and we look up to the dugout and see him, we start feeling fresh again.
“That’s our strength; everyone is playing for the coach.”
Kaindu is full of appraise for the 23-year-old star.
“When Tiger (Dlamini) is on the pitch, you always feel like you have that extra man,” said Dlamini.
“The way he made us feel like we had 11 v 11 when Ngwenya had been sent off is incredible.
“He has been like this throughout the term and, I mean, what a player he has proven to be.”
Dlamini has scored four goals in the league and notched six assists with the numbers playing a significant role in lifting the Kwekwe team, which is only two wins away from winning the league championship and a single victory from claiming the Chibuku Super Cup.
