Newly promoted Premier Soccer League outfit Hardrock FC have taken their pre-season build-up a notch higher after confirming a two-week training camp in Botswana ahead of the forthcoming campaign.

The Kwekwe-based side is expected to depart Zimbabwe on Monday, February 9, before returning on February 23, as part of a rigorous programme aimed at sharpening the squad for top-flight football.

Hardrock FC become the third Zimbabwean club to seek competitive preparation across the border, following in the footsteps of reigning champions Simba Bhora and Ngezi Platinum Stars, who have also previously held camps in Botswana.

During their stay, the club plans to engage in several friendly encounters against Botswana Premier League opposition, with three top-tier teams lined up, although official confirmation of the fixtures is still pending.

Since securing promotion from the Central Region Soccer League, Hardrock have been highly active on the transfer front, embarking on an ambitious recruitment drive to ensure they are competitive at PSL level.

The club is under the technical direction of experienced coach Kelvin Kaindu, formerly of Dynamos and Highlanders, and is believed to have splashed more than US$100,000 on player acquisitions.

Their reinforced squad includes notable local talents such as Donald Mudadi, Junior Makunike, Munashe Bamara, Warriors shot-stopper Martin Mapisa, and reigning Soccer Star of the Year Washington Navaya.

While the club has remained tight-lipped about specific targets for the season, signs point to a side eager to compete with the league’s heavyweights, including defending champions Scotland FC, who dominated headlines with their spending power during their debut season.

Off the pitch, Hardrock FC enjoy a significant edge in infrastructure, standing out as the only domestic club with a privately owned stadium. The newly built Chahwanda Stadium in Kwekwe is expected to be officially opened ahead of the 2026 PSL season.

Liverpool midfielder Trey Nyoni has reportedly chosen not to meet Zimbabwe Warriors head coach Mario Marinica during the coach’s ongoing visit to England, where he is engaging diaspora players and evaluating potential additions to the national team.

Nyoni, 18, was born in England to Zimbabwean parents and qualifies to represent either nation at international level. However, the highly rated youngster is said to be taking time to consider his international future before making any commitments.

The midfielder, who has already featured for England at youth level, is believed to be focused on pursuing a possible senior call-up to the Three Lions rather than linking up with Zimbabwe at this point in his career.

Marinica’s trip to England forms part of a wider talent identification programme aimed at bolstering the Warriors squad with overseas-based players ahead of upcoming competitions.

Caps United’s proposed renovation of Gwanzura Stadium has run into difficulties due to the absence of a formally signed lease agreement with the Harare City Council.

Although the club has indicated its readiness to begin refurbishing the historic venue, progress has been halted as the necessary legal documentation has not yet been finalised.

“The lease agreement is still unsigned. It’s difficult to move forward without proper legal backing. At the moment, all we have is an offer letter,” a source close to the matter revealed.

Harare City Council had previously approved a 25-year lease that would grant Caps United control over Gwanzura Stadium, paving the way for extensive upgrades and a return to the club’s traditional home in Highfield.

Club president Farai Jere has also pledged strong financial backing ahead of the 2026 season, with an emphasis on better player welfare and sustained technical development.

The delay once again underscores the broader struggles facing Zimbabwean football infrastructure. Once regarded as one of the country’s top venues, Gwanzura Stadium has suffered years of neglect and currently does not meet the standards required for top-flight football.