The spotlight may be firmly fixed on this weekend’s Harare Derby between Caps United and Dynamos at Rufaro Stadium, but another high-stakes encounter is quietly shaping the title race as Hardrock FC prepare to face TelOne in a must-win fixture.
Trailing just behind Caps United on the log standings, Hardrock are determined to keep their title ambitions alive by securing maximum points. Club chairman Wellington Mpandare made it clear that anything less than victory could complicate their season ambitions.
“We don’t want a situation where we will start looking for six points from one remaining game of the season,” Mpandare said, underlining the urgency within the camp.
Hardrock have surged into contention following an emphatic 6–1 victory over FC Hunters, a result that significantly boosted their goal difference and narrowed the gap at the top. In contrast, Caps United stumbled in their previous outing, suffering a narrow 1–0 defeat to Bulawayo Chiefs, tightening the race even further.
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The build-up to Hardrock’s recent success has not been without controversy. Reports last month suggested unrest within the squad over alleged disparities in winning bonuses, with claims that some players considered adjusting their performance based on incentives. However, Mpandare dismissed the concerns, insisting the club environment remains stable and motivated.
“We don’t have any issues with winning bonuses. If anything, we are paying more than what we had promised the boys. We have a soccer-crazy president who has been very supportive. Our players are very united and focused on making sure the team survives relegation,” he said.
Looking ahead to the TelOne clash, Mpandare acknowledged the challenge posed by their opponents, especially following recent changes within their technical setup.
“Every game is like a final to us. The investment that our president has put in deserves a permanent slot in the top league. TelOne got three points at a difficult venue in Triangle, and that says a lot about them. They have a new technical team, and the trend is that when there is a change of guard, the players put in over 120 percent, so we should expect a tough game. Besides, it’s a derby encounter; there are bragging rights that come with such an encounter,” he said
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