Veronica Gwaze-Zimpapers Sports Hub
HARDROCK may be five points clear at the summit of the table but Kelvin Kaindu is still battling with pressure.
Instead of breathing easy, the Zambian gaffer is under intense pressure despite his men having a clear advantage. Champions Scottland sit second on the table with 61 points, and a game in hand.
Hardrock could go EIGHT points clear if they defeat MWOS in their next league game at Chahwanda on Sunday.
Scottland, who are currently out of the country on CAF Champions League duty, will take on CAPS United next Thursday.
Kaindu’s men are in fine form, riding on an eight-match unbeaten run that has restored belief in the Kwekwe-based side and their fans. But the veteran coach knows momentum can be fragile at this stage and wants his charges to stay level-headed, consistent and ruthless, as the finishing line approaches.
“There are still nine points to play for and that’s quite a lot because the race is still tight and open,” Kaindu said.
“We may have five points ahead of Scottland who are yet to play but I think it gives us some slight advantage and mileage . . . we now need to be consistent and stay where we are.
“The Dynamos game gave us a lot of pressure and that my boys fought and eventually won at the death showed me that they now have a champion mentality and it should take us far.
“I think the last time we were allowed to get to the summit of the table, we didn’t stay there for long but this time, this is our second week, and we should be able to maintain.” Being in a down-to-the-wire championship race is something which Kaindu is familiar with. He has endured heart-breaking near misses with Highlanders before. In 2012, Kaindu set a Premiership record of going 23 games unbeaten while losing only one match throughout the season.
However, Dynamos went on to snatch that championship after the two giants finished level on 69 points.
DeMbare won the title on superior goal difference.
The following year history repeated itself as Kaindu’s Highlanders side again finished tied at the top of the table with Dynamos, this time on 54 points each.
Again, they lost the championship by goal difference.
“In my past near misses, I have never been at a (stage) where I opened up a five-point cushion, those have been quite tight,” he said.
“Maybe a point and you knew that once you drop, the other team goes on top that’s why I wish us to maintain this momentum, stay compact, remain focused and see what happens after every game.”
Kaindu understands that the Premiership is unforgiving in the final stretch.
Hardrock will play MWOS, Simba Bhora and FC Platinum in their final three matches.
