HARDROCK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2)3
SIMBA BHORA . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)
STRIKER Washington Navaya marked his return from national duty with a man-of-the-match display, netting twice as Hardrock FC dismantled Simba Bhora 3-0 at Chahwanda Stadium to reclaim top spot in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League after 16 rounds.
The Kwekwe Golden Boys moved to 31 points, edging Scottland FC and Caps United on goal difference, thanks to Navaya’s brace and a late strike from substitute Samuel Makawa. Hardrock set the tone early when Donald Mudadi forced Simba Chinani into a save after five minutes.
The breakthrough came just after the half-hour mark. Tafa’s pass was cut out by Neliswa Dlamini, who picked Navaya unmarked.
The 2025 Soccer Star of the Year made no mistake, tapping home from close range.
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Three minutes before half-time, Navaya doubled the lead, punishing Simba Bhora for being caught flat-footed again as Hardrock went in 2-0 up at the break.
Kelvin Kaindu’s men resumed with the same intensity. Simba Bhora spent long spells absorbing waves of pressure from the rampant hosts. The Shamva-based side briefly threatened a comeback on the hour mark when Misheck Ngwenya cleared off the line, but that proved their only moment of resistance.
Hardrock extended their two-goal cushion when Makawa, introduced by Kaindu after the interval, unleashed a rasping shot that took a slight deflection off Navaya on its way into the net for 3-0.
Kaindu was on cloud nine after the win. He said: “We hadn’t won in the last two games, so today we responded positively. It was a high-pressure game, but I think we’d moved on from our position in the league standings even before kick-off. The boys responded well, and we scored three goals.
“It shows the depth we have in the team. We made three changes, and it proved we still have players who can come in when given the chance. We played well in the first half, and we also made some tactical adjustments at half-time.”
Simba Bhora have now gone five games without a win, drawing with Caps United and Triangle and losing to Chicken Inn, Herentals College, and Hardrock. They’ve leaked nine goals in that run and continue to chase shadows in the final minutes.
Simba Bhora coach Mandla Mpofu said he was disappointed by the scoreline more than the performance.
He said: “The last 10 minutes of the first half, I thought we showed good composure in trying to close spaces and not give our opponents many opportunities, especially in and around the box. We dealt with their strikers well.
“We knew they were pressing us very high, so we tried to play from the back. But the minute we made one mistake, we were punished. Thereafter, we dominated the final stages of the first half, but still conceded the second goal.
“I thought we were the better team in the second half and created opportunities. They didn’t have a chance until the deflection. Overall, I’m not worried about the performance, but I’m very disappointed with the scoreline. The scoreline doesn’t reflect the game.”