HARDROCK FC.......(2)3
MANICA DIAMONDS.........(0)
Washington Navaya reached the 14th goal mark as Hardrock FC closed in on Scottland FC after an impressive display to beat Manica Diamonds 3-0 in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Chahwanda Stadium.
Navaya notched a brace while Eswatini international Thubelihle Mavuso scored the other goal as they registered a commanding win.
Navaya has scored 14 goals in 26 matches, extending his lead at the apex of the PSL goal charts.
Moreover, Hardrock FC has now moved to 51 points, two points behind Scottland who have 53 points having drawn 0-0 with MWOS FC.
Kelvin Kaindu was on cloud nine, especially with Navaya's brace.
"Washington is a special player. His work rate and finishing today were world class. To get 14 goals at this stage shows the kind of character he has. We are pushing, we are not looking at anyone else, just our next game," Kaindu said.
The match was evenly balanced in the beginning, with the teams sizing each other up, albeit Hardrock taking some shots from range via Sizwe Yeki Khumalo and Neliswa Dlamini.
Hardrock took control of proceedings after the 15 minutes, pressing hard from the centre.
They got their breakthrough after 36 minutes, with Washington Navaya darting the ball from inside the box after Manica Diamonds goalkeeper Biggie Temera spilled a cross that was whipped in by Mcdonald Rameck from the right wing.
Four minutes later, Navaya beat the Manica Diamonds offside trap on the counter attack, slotting the ball with ease past a diving Temera. The Gems Boys felt Navaya was offside but referee Lloyd Mapange gave the goal.
Hardrock made it three via Thubelihle Mavuso, heading the ball home from close range after 65 minutes.
Manica Diamonds gaffer Herbert Maruwa was disappointed by the results but said they have 24 points to fight for and ensure survival.
"It hurts to lose like this at home, but the league is not over. We have 24 points to play for and our focus now is on survival. We must pick ourselves up and fight for every point," Maruwa said.
Results
Scottland 0-0 MWOS
ZPC Kariba 0-0 Dynamos
FC Platinum 1-1 Simba Bhora
Agama 0-1 Ngezi Platinum
Triangle United 0-1 Hunters
Chicken Inn 1-2 Bulawayo Chiefs