Hardrock drop points, hand Scottland chance to go top at PSL halfway mark

Hardrock FC handed Scottland FC a chance to take pole position as the 2026 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League reaches the halfway mark, after dropping points in a pulsating 0-0 draw against FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium.

Although they remain on top with 32 points—at least until Scottland FC take on Triangle on Thursday at Rufaro Stadium—it was Tonderai Mateyaunga who stole the show with some top-drawer saves.

From the outset, this one promised to be an explosive match between the two Midlands-based teams. FC Platinum asserted the tempo with their high pressing and neat passing, while Hardrock FC refused to be easily cowed into submission.

The home side got the first meaningful chance after 10 minutes when Oscar Bhebhe weaved past three Hardrock players before picking out Tadiwanashe Muchenje, who stood unmarked at the edge of the box. However, Muchenje hit the crossbar with a powerful half-volley, with goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga beaten.

Two minutes later, the Kasongo Golden Boys came close as Washington Navaya’s header from close range was easily collected by Raphael Pitisi. It turned out to be a midfield battle between FC Platinum’s Garikayi Dematsika and David Mangesi against Hardrock’s Donald Mudadi and Neliswa Dlamini.

Hardrock FC goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga made some key saves against FC Platinum

MATEYAUNGA KEEPS HIS 11TH CLEAN SHEET OF THE SEASON

Hardrock were almost punished on the 19th minute when Misheck Ngwenya’s misplaced pass was hijacked by Trevor Bhunu. He broke loose only to be denied by goalkeeper Mateyaunga, whose outstretched leg blocked the goal-bound effort.

Sadly, Bhunu was withdrawn on the 27th minute due to injury and was replaced by Junior Jarrison Selemani, who made an instant impact. He could have broken the deadlock two minutes later when he hit the crossbar with a rasping effort from a free-kick taken just outside the box.

Mateyaunga was again drawn into action, blocking another goal-bound effort, this time from Abram Mbakondja Tjahikika after a quick break by FC Platinum that was spurred by Oscar Bhebhe.

Simply put, Mateyaunga was a cut above the rest in the first half after making two key saves in one-on-one situations with FC Platinum forwards. The sides were deadlocked at half-time.

Both teams made changes after the break, with FC Platinum introducing McKinnon Mushore to add more firepower, while Wilfred Madzungu and Tinashe Mashaireni were introduced to support Hardrock’s top scorer Washington Navaya up front.

But it remained Mateyaunga’s show as he made an acrobatic save to keep out a ferocious effort from Oscar Bhebhe on the 78th minute.

From then on, both teams were lackadaisical until the 90th minute when Hardrock almost broke the deadlock after a goalmouth melee that saw Navaya’s shot blocked and Tinotenda Muringai failed to hit the target on the rebound.

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