Online Reporter
Onward Gangata
Zimpapers Sports Hub
AMBITIOUS newboys Hardrock are showing weaknesses when pitted against the traditional giants of the domestic Premiership.
And, will this cripple their bid to be champions?
Their coach, Kelvin Kaindu, insists there is no need to press the panic baton and their fate will not be decided by their results against the big boys only but against all the teams in the league.
He says they still have a good chance to win the league title despite struggling to record victories against the Big Boys.
The Kwekwe-based side are yet to win against any of the traditional big sides in the top-flight league.
On Sunday, the Kasongo Boys allowed CAPS United to come from behind twice and earn a point in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
They have lost four points to the Green Machine, who are also in the title race, having lost 0-2 to Makepekepe in the reverse fixture.
They also lost four points to champions Scottland.
The two sides drew 0-0 at Chahwanda, in the opening game of the season, before Hardrock were well beaten 0-2 in Harare.
They also played out a 2-2 draw against former champions Ngezi Platinum Stars at Chahwanda while their clash against Dynamos was abandoned with the match tied 1-1, with 14 minutes to play.
Hardrock were also beaten 0-1 at home by Highlanders.
However, Hardrock managed to record back-to-back victories against 2015 champions Chicken Inn, who are on a rebuilding exercise.
The draw against Makepekepe on Sunday, saw Hardrock falling further behind Scottland in the title race.
Scottland are top of the log with 46 points while the Kwekwe-based side are in second place with 39 points.
The newboys’ failure to beat the top sides may haunt them in their quest for a maiden league title.
As the plot thickens, Hardrock will have to navigate past Dynamos, Highlanders and Ngezi Platinum Stars in away fixtures.
There is still the small story of the 14 minutes of the abandoned match against DeMbare to be completed on Thursday.
Kaindu is adamant his side’s record against the big boys in the league will not determine their fate in the title race.
“What is important is to keep winning, the league is not about beating the teams you have not beaten,” said the Zambian.
“If we can get points against other teams, for us that is good.
“In as much as we wanted to get a positive result against CAPS, we came close but we let it slip.
“If we can pick points from other teams it is still good for us.”
