Hardrock have emerged as the team to watch in the Chibuku Super Cup after knocking out fellow title hopefuls Scottland, with the ambitious newcomers now dreaming of lifting the trophy on home soil.
The Kwekwe-based side’s 1-0 quarter-final victory over Scottland at Rufaro Stadium on Wednesday propelled them into the semi-finals, where they will host fellow Premier Soccer League debutants Hunters FC at Chahwanda Stadium over the weekend of October 31 and November 1.
The Chibuku Super Cup final will also be played at Chahwanda on November 28, giving Hardrock the enticing prospect of playing for the trophy in front of their home supporters.
They have already shown they are capable of competing with the established big guns, having eliminated Scottland, who were chasing a domestic treble of their own.
For Hardrock, however, the Chibuku Super Cup is just one part of an extraordinary first season in the top flight.
They remain firmly in the PSL title race, sitting second on 57 points, just one behind defending champions Scottland with six matches remaining.
They are also through to the quarter-finals of the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup, where they will host Herentals FC.
Victory over Scottland was their ninth consecutive win in all competitions, further strengthening the belief that Kaindu’s side can achieve something extraordinary in their maiden Premier League campaign.
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“We showed a lot of character and determination from the first whistle. That is why we were able to prevail and overcome Scottland,” Kaindu said.
“I’m happy we qualified to the semi-final. But I think we could have done better. We had more chances, we could have made our game easy.
“But also looking at the opponent, it was not going to be an easy game. We saw the intensity and how much every player put in effort. At the end of the day, we get to the semi-final.”
Neliswa “Tiger” Dlamini scored the decisive goal against Scottland, heading home from close range after Lennox Mucheto delivered a dangerous cross in the 16th minute.
But for Kaindu, the bigger satisfaction was the continued consistency of a side that has rapidly established itself as a force in Zimbabwean football.
“The most important thing is the consistency that we have showed,” he said.
“We have been able to score goals in all those games, which is a remarkable achievement for a new team in the Premier League.”
Hardrock’s rise has been one of the defining stories of the 2026 season.
From newly promoted outsiders, they have transformed themselves into genuine contenders for major silverware, with three competitions still within their reach.
The Chibuku Super Cup now presents their most immediate opportunity.
Hunters stand between them and the final, while either CAPS United or Highlanders await in the other semi-final.
With the final at Chahwanda, Hardrock will be hoping their remarkable debut season can culminate in a memorable homecoming on November 28.
But focus turn to the league where they travel to Bulawayo to face Highlanders in a potentially explosion contest on Saturday.
