Chronicle Editor
Langton Nyakwenda in SHAMVA
Simba Bhora 2-1 Caps United
SIMBA Bhora now need four points from their last three matches to clinch a historic championship, after edging Caps United in a thrilling game at Wadzanai Stadium yesterday.
The Shamva-based side was reduced to 10 men in the 55th minute, and their 1-0 lead was erased four minutes later, but they still conjured up the magic to move closer to the championship podium.
Man of the match Vasilli Kawe scored and provided the much-needed assist as Simba Bhora moved to 63 points, nine clear of second-placed FC Platinum who play Dynamos at Rufaro today.
Kawe slotted the ball past a wrong-footed Ashley Reyners in the 40th minute, after he was sent through by captain Walter Musona.
Reyners had picked up a hamstring injury a few minutes earlier but the Caps United technical team surprisingly kept the keeper in the match.
They paid the price when Reyners failed to deal with what looked like a harmless effort from Kawe.
Reyners was substituted a few minutes later.
Caps United players, who were promised $1 000 each for a win, did not give up.
Makepekepe then silenced the home crowd in the 59th minute, when substitute Jayden Bakare headed home a freekick from the right by Eric Manokore.
That was four minutes after striker Harrison Masina was shown a second yellow card for a late tackle on Caps United defender Hastings Chapusha.
But the home side still found the strength and courage to find the winner through Tymon Machope.
The lanky striker headed home a cross from Kawe in the 74th minute to send the crowd into delirium.
Simba Bhora went into the match with an 80 percent winning probability, and they did just that to maintain an unbeaten run at Wadzanai.
They have now played 16 matches at the venue since the Shamva venue was homologated for Premier Soccer League matches in March.
Simba Bhora now have 13 wins and three draws.
“The idea is for us to focus on the next game. But I don’t want to lie that we are not focusing on crossing the line, the idea is to maintain the six-point gap until we get to the FC Platinum game,” Simba Bhora coach, Tonderai Ndiraya, said.
Simba Bhora went into the match on the back of a morale sapping loss in the league against Herentals.
They had also bowed out of the Chibuku Super Cup at the hands of Ngezi Platinum Stars.
But they showed some character especially late in second-half, despite being a man down.
“We knew we were up for a very tough task today, especially coming defeats in the cup and against Herentals,” said Ndiraya.
Up next for Simba Bhora is Arenel Movers in Bulawayo midweek.
They will then host FC Platinum at Wadzanai before finishing off the season at ZPC Kariba.
Tichaona Chipunza had a good show in the middle of the park while Isheanesu Mauchi was solid at the back.
Chipunza initiated Simba Bhora’s second goal when his mazy run from deep in his half ended up with Kawe crossing the ball for Machope.
Machope took his tally to 11 goals, one shy of joint top scorers Khama Billiat and William Manondo.
Rising referee Thabani Ruzario handled the high-profile game with composure.
Online Reporter