Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere, [email protected]
HARDROCK coach Kelvin Kaindu believes the pressure in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title race rests firmly on defending champions Scottland, insisting his ambitious side have nothing to lose as they continue to enjoy a remarkable debut campaign in the top flight.
Hardrock may not be sitting at the summit of the Premiership table, but their impressive performances have transformed them from newly promoted hopefuls into genuine title contenders.
Following Week 27 action, Scottland remain at the top of the table while Hardrock continue to lurk in the chasing pack, ensuring the championship race remains alive as the season enters its decisive phase.
For Kaindu, however, the distinction between the two sides is clear.
While Scottland are expected to defend the championship they won last season, Hardrock are navigating their first campaign in the Premier Soccer League and, according to their coach, their primary objective remains survival.
“The pressure is on Scottland. They are the defending champions and everybody expects them to defend their title. For us, we are just expecting to survive. This is our first season in the Premier
League. We are enjoying the experience, competing and trying to do our best in every match.”
Kaindu believes that mindset gives Hardrock a significant psychological advantage.
There is little expectation for the Kwekwe-based outfit to lift the championship. When they earned promotion to the top flight, their main target was simply to retain their Premiership status.
Instead, they have exceeded expectations spectacularly.
The Week 27 results once again highlighted Hardrock’s growing credentials.
Hardrock came from behind to beat FC Hunters 2-1, with leading striker Washington Navaya continuing his outstanding season by getting on the scoresheet yet again.
Scottland were also forced to work hard for maximum points, coming from behind to defeat Simba Bhora 2-1, with Knowledge Musona scoring both goals to keep the defending champions at the summit.
For Hardrock, the victory over Hunters was particularly significant as it ensured they remained firmly in contention while Scottland continued to shoulder the burden that comes with being champions.
Navaya’s dazzling scoring form has also been central to the newcomers’ impressive campaign. He now leads the Premiership Golden Boot race with 15 goals, giving Hardrock one of the most potent attacking threats in the title race.
Kaindu, however, is refusing to place unnecessary pressure on his players.
“We are not putting pressure on ourselves. We just want to take each game as it comes and continue doing what we have been doing.”
That approach has served Hardrock remarkably well.
Having secured promotion from the Central Region, expectations were largely centred on consolidating their place among Zimbabwe’s elite clubs.
Instead, they have found themselves rubbing shoulders with some of the country’s biggest teams and pushing the defending champions all the way.
And Kaindu insists they have no intention of stepping aside.
Hardrock have embraced life in the Premiership with confidence, refusing to be intimidated by clubs with longer histories and greater experience at the highest level.
Their rise has been one of the standout stories of the season, and their current position has ensured that the title race is no longer the exclusive domain of the traditional giants.
Scottland, meanwhile, are operating under very different circumstances.
As defending champions, expectations are naturally high. Their supporters demand another league title, their players are expected to deliver, and every slip-up inevitably attracts greater scrutiny.
Hardrock do not have that burden.
They are the newcomers who were expected to battle for survival but have instead forced their way into the championship conversation.
Kaindu believes his players can use that contrast to their advantage.
“They have the pressure because they are defending champions. For us, we are just trying to establish ourselves in the Premier League, but if the opportunity comes, we will take it.”
And that is perhaps the most dangerous aspect of Hardrock’s challenge.
They are not weighed down by the expectations of a club that must win the championship.
Instead, they are ambitious newcomers enjoying the journey, armed with enough quality, momentum and belief to trouble any side standing in their path.
With Navaya leading the Golden Boot race on 15 goals and Hardrock continuing to pile pressure on the teams above them, the Kwekwe side have already achieved far more than many anticipated before the season kicked off.
Now, as the Premiership enters its final stretch, Kaindu wants his players to maintain the same mentality that has carried them this far.And if the Zambian tactician has his way, Hardrock’s stay among Zimbabwe’s top-flight clubs will be measured not in seasons, but in years to come.
PSL WEEK 27 RESULTS
Highlanders 2-0 Herentals, FC Hunters 1-2 Hardrock, Scottland 2-1 Simba Bhora, FC Platinum 1-0 Agama, MWOS 4-1 ZPC Kariba, TelOne 0-2 Triangle United, Manica Diamonds 0-2 Ngezi Platinum Stars, Dynamos 0-1 Chicken Inn, Bulawayo Chiefs 0-0 CAPS United —@FungaiMuderere
