Back to squeaky bum time in the PSL

Langton Nyakwenda

PROBABLY it was a mere formality when Ngezi Platinum Stars inserted a sentence in their official statement announcing they had parted ways with coach Tonderai Ndiraya.

That announcement on October 2, 2018 surprised many as Ngezi were just five points behind log leaders FC Platinum, with 18 more points to play for.

Impatience by the club executives left them thinking Ndiraya was losing ground against Norman Mapeza’s FC Platinum in that year’s title race.

Ngezi had been dropping points against some of the league’s strugglers.

The club’s decision sparked debate, as many questioned the logic behind the move, given that there were only six games remaining.

Ngezi inserted a sentence in their announcement, which at that time might not have resonated with many, but is now manifesting.

The club indicated that they were separating with Ndiraya on mutual grounds and out of necessity.

Crucially, they also wrote: “We have no doubt that he (Ndiraya) will continue to succeed as a young coach and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”

Six years later, the statement appears to have been prophetic as Ndiraya is about to succeed in winning the ultimate prize in domestic football.

He is on the cusp of winning his first Premiership title as coach, with his side — Simba Bhora — leading the log standings.

Ndiraya was 41 when he was fired at Ngezi.

In the six years since then, he has gained vital experience, thanks to another demanding stint at Dynamos, which preceded his move to Simba Bhora at the beginning of the 2023 season.

The Shamva outfit have opened a seven-point gap at the top, with just eight rounds of action left in the 2024 championship race.

They are in imperious form, registering eight wins and two draws in their last 10 games.

Simba Bhora have garnered 26 points out of a possible 30, which translates into an impressive 87 percent success rate.

They are unbeaten since June 22, when they lost 0-1 at FC Platinum, who are now second on the table, going into the business end of the season.

It is that period of the season which former Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson described as “squeaky bum time”, when the Red Devils were embroiled in a two-horse race for the English Premiership title with Arsenal in 2003.

It is pointing to a two-horse race between Simba Bhora and FC Platinum in this year’s local Premiership.

“My thinking is that this is going to be a two-horse race, although the title is for Simba Bhora’s to lose. But you must never rule out FC Platinum.

“It’s just eight games to go, so I think it might be a little too late for Manica Diamonds and Ngezi Platinum Stars to catch up,” says ex-Bulawayo Chiefs coach Garthly Chipuka.

Third-placed Manica Diamonds are 11 points behind and face tricky fixtures against Green Fuel (away), Highlanders (home), Hwange (away) and Dynamos (away).

Ngezi, a dozen points behind Simba Bhora, have two games in hand, against Hwange and Dynamos. These are also tough assignments.

The platinum miners are still to meet Simba Bhora at Baobab Stadium and resurgent CAPS United away in the home run.

Their other fixtures include Bulawayo Chiefs (away), TelOne (away), Chegutu Pirates (home), Bikita Minerals (home), Chicken Inn (away) and Herentals (home).

Harare Junior Football League official Reuben Dauti has warned against ruling out Ngezi from the equation.

“If you look at the standings, Ngezi Platinum Stars emerge as a dark horse, poised to mount a formidable title challenge against Simba Bhora.

“They’re flying under the radar, and if they capitalise on their games in hand and build momentum, we could witness a nail-biting finish in the title race.”

Takesure Chiragwi’s team have not played in the league this month owing to international commitments during which they crashed out of the CAF Champions League at the first hurdle.

Their league form had also become a cause for concern, as they registered five consecutive draws before bouncing back with a key 2-0 win over Yadah Stars on August 31.

That has not been the case for Simba Bhora, whose coach Ndiraya is now poised to win a third straight Coach of the Month award.

“Simba Bhora have demonstrated exceptional quality, winning matches convincingly and grinding out results even on off days, both home and away.

“Their ability to score crucial goals and maintain clean sheets is a hallmark of championship teams,” added Dauti.

Simba Bhora face four potential banana-skin fixtures.

They will play Ngezi at Baobab, Chicken Inn (home), Herentals (away), CAPS United (home), FC Platinum (home) and ZPC Kariba (away).

They are also still to face relegation-haunted sides Chegutu Pirates (home) and Arenel Movers (away).

It is against this background that veteran coach and ex-Eiffel Flats gaffer Raphael Phiri is refusing to rule out FC Platinum, also given Norman Mapeza’s pedigree to go over the line.

Mapeza has three league titles with FC Platinum and another with the now-defunct Monomotapa United.

“FC Platinum have a chance, given their history and pedigree.

“But they can only win the championship if Simba Bhora fail to maintain their form . . . if you also look at it, FC Platinum have the pressure to cover ground,” Phiri said.

FC Platinum are usually lethal in the final stretch of the season, especially in the last 10 games, although they have endured indifferent form lately.

Mapeza’s troops have won once in their last five games, having recently lost against Manica Diamonds, Bikita Minerals and CAPS United.

FC Platinum were not as lethal at this stage last season, as they had been in previous campaigns.

They picked up 12 out of a possible 24 points in the last eight rounds of the 2023 season.

The Zvishavane miners are still to face Green Fuel (away), Highlanders (home), Dynamos (away) and Simba Bhora (away).

Matches against relegation-threatened Hwange (away), Bulawayo Chiefs (home) and TelOne (home) are also on their schedule. Ndiraya’s ex-DeMbare teammate and former Warriors goalkeeper Gift “Umbro” Muzadzi has tipped Simba Bhora on the back of their rivals’ inconsistency.

“I think Simba Bhora have one hand on the championship trophy, because their rivals have not been consistent.

“But it’s not going to be an easy walk in the park because one negative result will pile pressure on the main actors, who are the players, and they must now know that they have reached the stage where they have to keep believing in themselves.

“At this stage, I don’t think it’s about the technical team; they have done their part. It’s now up to the players to stand up for themselves, be united and motivate each other.

“It’s now about teamwork, oneness, one vision, one goal and unity of purpose,” Muzadzi said.