By Tapiwa Chawagarira
HARDROCK FC kept their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title hopes firmly alive after thrashing TelOne 4-1 in a Midlands derby at Chahwanda Stadium, cutting Scottland FC’s lead at the top to just one point.
The emphatic victory saw Hardrock move to 57 points from 28 matches, while Scottland remain top on 58 points after 28 games, setting up an increasingly intriguing championship race as the season enters its decisive stages.
Hardrock went into the weekend four points behind the leaders but made full use of their opportunity, producing another commanding performance to maintain their remarkable challenge in their debut top-flight season.
The Kwekwe-based side has been one of the standout stories of the 2026 season, with their consistency keeping pressure on the heavily fancied Scottland side.
Their victory over TelOne was also their fifth consecutive win, highlighting their impressive late-season form. The result came against a TelOne side fighting for survival and left the telecommunications outfit deep in relegation trouble with only a handful of matches remaining.
Scottland established a commanding advantage earlier in the campaign, but Hardrock’s recent surge has transformed the title race into a two-horse battle.
With Hardrock now just one point behind, every remaining fixture carries enormous significance.
Scottland’s earlier dominance saw them open a substantial advantage at the top, but Hardrock’s consistency has ensured the championship race remains far from settled. Recent league analysis has identified the two clubs as the leading contenders as the business end of the season approaches.
For Hardrock, a 4-1 demolition of TelOne was more than just three points—it was a statement that they are ready to fight until the final whistle for what would be a remarkable league title.
The race is now finely poised, with Scottland holding the advantage but Hardrock breathing heavily down their necks.
Meanwhile, the much-anticipated Harare derby between CAPS United and Dynamos ended 1-1, leaving DeMbare still searching for their first victory over another Harare side this season.
According to the latest record, Dynamos have now faced Harare opposition six times, managing five draws and one defeat.
The latest stalemate means Dynamos remain without a win against their city rivals this campaign, having previously lost 2-1 to CAPS United in the first Harare derby of the season. The May encounter attracted 25,000 paying spectators, underlining the enduring appeal of the capital’s biggest football rivalry.
The weekend’s other matches produced a series of low-scoring encounters.
Agama edged Manica Diamonds 1-0, a result that further complicated Manica’s battle for survival, while Chicken Inn and MWOS played out a goalless draw.
ZPC Kariba were also held to a 0-0 draw by Simba Bhora, while Triangle United and Highlanders shared the spoils after another goalless stalemate.
At Baobab Stadium, Ngezi Platinum Stars were held to a 0-0 draw by FC Hunters.
The results underline the PSL’s tight nature at both ends of the table, with the championship battle between Scottland and Hardrock now emerging as a major talking point in the run-in.
